FEATURED STORY

A look at RV accident statistics Last week, like many of you, I was pouring over data and articles following the Cirrus accident in New York. Working in a newsroom and all, I tried -- and failed -- to intercept the "how safe is the Cirrus" story and direct it more to a look at pilots, not planes. It wasn't the best week I've ever spent in the business and, frankly, it was the first time in 30 years in the news business that a newsroom didn't turn to me for help in covering a story about aviation. Fortunately, the Builder's Hotline is just me, so I turned to my favorite employee -- me -- for a look at my favorite airplane instead. (More) Related Link: Homebuilt vs. factory Contribute to family of Tyler Stanger

Land of Enchantment review
I couldn't follow the Land of Enchantment dispatches as closely as I'd hoped. Every time I started reading one, I was overcome to go out and work on my RV-7A project instead. Fortunately, someone (OK, it was me), has organized the various reports.
Doug Reeves' write-up (slideshow)
Doug Reeves' LOE Pireps (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Guy Prevost's photos
Ron Lee: LOE day trip (RV-List)
Tim Olson's flight to LOE (myrv10.com)
Larry Pardue's images
Engine failure enroute home (VAF)
Marthajane King's photos
Andy Karmy's video

RV-8th wonder of the world
Richard Reid updates the members of EAA Chapter 7 (Long Beach, CA.) on the building of his RV-8. The craft will have a full glass panel and the engine will be supercharged. (EAA Chapter 7 October newsletter)

Van revisits the higher gross weight issue
Two RVator issues back, I discussed the issue of modifying RVs by adding tanks and increasing the gross weight. I asked for comments, specifically reasons why builders felt qualified or justified in setting higher limits than Van's published. I got the, some of which I hadn't bargained on. (More)
Related link:
Read the original article (Yahoogroup)
Subscribe to RVator

The load analysis
From the AeroElectric list: "t seems to me that one of the most valuable resources that could be made a permanent yet updatable part of this list either in the FAQs, or archives, or somewhere, would be a list of the most commonly used equipment." In fact, Bob Nuckolls has posted a few here.
Related link:
The Electrical system (Dignity aircraft project)

Calling all CFIs
I'm working on a story on transition training in an RV, if you provide it, please contact me.

OTHER NEWS

RVator index updated
Spreadsheet has over 400 articles in the RVator indexed from 2001 to the 4th issue of 2006. (Yahoogroup)

First flight video
ZU-JAD's first flight. Sorry, I don't have the builder's name (RV Club South Africa)

Why people fly
Not all journalists are stupid. (WSJ)

Probable cause
Commanders last call (AvWeb)

Grinding wheel safety
Aluminum dust hazard? (EAA 663)

Uncanny tales from ASRS
At ASRS, just when we think we've seen it all, strange and unusual reports arrive to tantalize our analyst staff. Not routine tales of suspense - a flapless takeoff, icing in Very Moist Conditions, or smoke in the hold. Uncanny experiences from the outer limits of aviation unfold - and the safety lessons learned as well. (Callback)

Repeat offender
Walter Tondu's building again!

Flight through time
The Cavanaugh Museum

FIRST FLIGHTS Mark Spickard, Rockford, IL. RV-8. Monday 10/16. (More at Van's) Don & Catherine Winters, Kokomo, Ind.RV-6. 10/6/06(More at Van's) Scott Schmidt, Draper, UT. RV-10. Saturday 10/14/06. (More at Van's | Scott's Web site | VAF write-up)

Mounting the VS
Unfortunately, this one is mine. I had a problem on my 7A this week when attaching the forward spar of the VS to the attach plate that is clamped to the horizontal stabilizer (See DWG 27A). The top hinge on the rear spar was too far aft, but I couldn't get the front spar any lower on the attach plate because (a) top of the attach plate was already butting up against the flange of the VS nose rib so the spar couldn't move higher or lower on top of the plate and (b) moving the plate higher or lower on the HS would cause me to hack more of the front spar off to keep it from hitting the HS, ruining the required edge distance between the bottom row of rivets on the attach plate and the lower edge of the front spar of the VS. What to do? I'm getting very good advice from the RV Builders Group on Yahoo from folks who are trying very hard not to remind me how stupid I am. (g)
Related links:
Mounting the empennage (Garrett Smith)

First time engine start
What to do when you're finally ready to crank up the engine? A few threads across the various bulletin boards this week sought information. Mahlon Russell of Mattituck directed folks to FAQs on the company site, pretty darned cool considering the poster owned a competitor's product. (See tips)

RV-10 Nose gear building tip
I went to installed the nose gear today. In particular, the link collar assembly. Vans states, "The nose gear Elastomers will have to be compressed in order to install the bolt. Do this by either pushing down on the forward end on the aircraft (yeah... right!) and/or lifting up on the aft end." Here's what I did. ("Zack" on RV-10 List)

ARCHIVES See a list of previous RV Builder Hotlines organized by date and subject. (Go)

PICTURE OF THE WEEK What with LOE and everything, I had a lot of pictures to choose from on the Internet this week (hint: not always the case!). Lots of beautiful scenery and RVs in flight. But, you know, I'm still a builder and builder mods and stuff still interest me quite a bit. Here's a shot from Marthajane King's LOE collection that I thought was cool: plexiglas inspection covers between the last two aft bulkheads. Is this your plane? Why don't you write a few paragraphs and tell us all about these.