Hot threads online • Floscan Where's the best place to mount it? (VAF) • Riveting is my issue Been there Done that. Pass it on. (VAF) • Grounding procedure Figuring out the forest (Aerolectric) • Aileron pushrod assemblies Adjusting for length (RV-10 list) • Hangars How much does it cost to construction? (VAF) • Fuel return tee A different approach (RV-List) • Performance numbers At higher altitudes (RV-10 List) • Wing tip misalignment Easy fix, it says here. (VAF) • Oil sample results Ever get a negative result? (RV-List) • HVLP gun technique Every old thread is new again. (VAF) • Wiring runs in an RV-8 This goes here, that goes there. What's this?(VAF) • Tail wheel woes A stuck spring-loaded pin is the culprit (RV-List)

FIRST FLIGHTS John Jagodnik, RV-10, 5/4/06. Australia Robert Sandor, RV-6A, Cincinnati. Paul Andronicou, RV-8A 4/2/06. Melbourne Australia. Details on these first flights can be found at vansaircraft.com.

What would you do different?
I've been asked that question countless times since I got my plane flying, and frankly its not that easy to come up with answers. I'm imminently satisfied with my plane -- whoever called RVs "magic carpets" really hit the rivet on the head. (EAA 105's terrific newsletter)
Related thread:
What would you different? (RV-Builders List)

Insurance survey results
A couple dozen RVators responded to the insurance survey in the last few issues of the RV Builder's Hotline. Although not a scientific sample, we can conclude that we found no indication of any insurance "crisis" in the RV community, nor any reason to believe that obtaining insurance is significantly harder than a year or two ago.

In several cases, premiums for this year dropped over last year. In about an equal number of cases, premiums rose by only a few dollars. In most every case, the pilot insured for $1 million of liability and the average hull insurance coverage was for $60,000. In that category, we found an average premium of about $1,500 for pilots with an average of 800 hours of time, to a high of $1,780 for pilots with fewer than 500 hours. Several respondents reported "liability only" coverage (again, $1 million) with a low premium of $486 (Avemco) and a high of NationAir.

Flying the RV-10
"The first think I noticed, of course, was all the room, and then the visibility. The seat position and large windows allow great visibility both forward and to the side." (Chuck Spauer, in EAA 301's newsletter)

RVAtors taxi in Hondo for annual fly-in
The paint is barely dry on Waco resident Mike McMains' recently completed RV7, a kit plane marketed by Van's Aircraft, which took 18 months and $55,000 to build. "It's a great location," said McMains, 60, of the spacious Hondo airstrip, where the Southwest Regional Fly In moved from New Braunfels last year. (San Antonio Express News)

Choosing the right switch
You are nearing completion of your Super-Duper Wizbang Flying Machine and are ready to wire the panel. One of many decisions you must make is selection of the proper switches to activate the electrical items. (Dave Vandenberg)
Related thread:
How to wire switch (Aerolectric forum)

Dimples and hail damage = Go fast
Seems I recall reading about an older Cessna that had hail storm damage. When it was flown to a repair station, it flew faster with the dimpled skin than before it was damaged. Would that be called "golf ball" advantage? (EAA 309 newsletter)

Memorial service for Ron Russell
Ron was buried in a graveside service at Hilltop Cemetery in Independence, Oregon Friday morning, followed by a memorial/barbeque. A missing man formation of RVers was expected Friday evening.

Trio autopilot installation
We wired the new Trio into our Garmin-396 GPS, which is located between seats for easy access. The GPS also was wired into our Avionics Switch for continuous power, and the GPS was setup to output NEMA 0183 data, which allow the Trio fly in either course, Track or Intercept mode.(John & Vivian's RV-9A project)