PRODUCT REVIEW

Where should you mount your strobe power supply? I've had the Whelen Comet Flash strobe system for about 3 years now. I bought it in a wave of buying fever in the Van's catalog, even though I was -- and still am -- nowhere near needing it for the status of my project. I've been cycling it every 6 months or so, while delaying a decision on where to put it. A simple little bracket developed by Van's a few weeks ago settled the question. Here's a review. (More) Related Links: ELT set-up (Mike Doyle)

LED installation documented
I'm still trying to figure out the whole Whelen strobe system thing on my 7A, and Chad Jensen is zipping right along with an LED installation that looks quick and clean. I'm such a dinosaur! Follow Chad's progress on a riveting thread on Rivetbangers.
Day by day: 1 2 3 4

A plane in every yard
Few people would want to build a house next to an airport, where planes fly across the lawn to take off and land. That's what Scott DeLong, an RV-6A drive, did. (MaineToday.com)
Related Links:
Aviator's Guide: Plane living

Van's releases nose gear data
Last week, RV Builder's Hotline presented an article on the ongoing controversy over whether the nose gear design on Van's "A" products is sufficient. Late this week, Tom Green sent a spreadsheet and some words of analysis as an update on Van's consideration of the issue. It has been included in the updated article. (More)

SportAir avionics workshop reviewed
I'm looking forward to this workshop in January to get going on wiring the RV-7A. EAA 153 member John Tatro provides a fine review of what I'll find in his chapter's monthly newsletter. I'll have a further review in February. (More)

Mattituck hosting engine workshop
According to an e-mail from Mahlon Russell, there are a few spots left (although they may not be by the time you read this) at the Long Island facility's workshop on Dec. 9. (More)
Related link:
TCM engine school

A diesel RV?
I discovered this on the very fine RV in the UK Web site. I'm not sure if this is flying yet but will try to learn more in the coming weeks. Most noticeable change is the size of the cowl to accommodate radiators. (More pictures)
Related link:
Flying RV8 Subie review (VAF)

Flying with a legend
EAA chapter 1414 president Steve Langdon goes flying with Eugene Stewart, who is said to have completed 80 non-stop rolls on his 80th birthday, in his RV-4. (More)

Firewall blanket
I've been meaning to post this for a while and just remembered. When you are building you don't think about the firewall sound proofing/fireproof blanket until you are about done. Well this is about the worst time to try to prepare for it. So, while you have the front end open, or at least good access, make templates for sections of the blanket. If you have the blanket material, cut and test fit now. You will be much happier and won't be bleeding all over everything. When everything is done all you will have to do cut the appropriate holes and slots in the blanket for the firewall pass throughs and glue in place. - Darwin Barrie

Tank vent routing
Standard fuel tank vent lines are shown in the drawings as pointing straight up at the lower front fuse longeron. When I followed the drawing I found it nearly impossible to jump the longeron and dip behind the rudder cable and then also be able to get a flare fitting on the end of the tubing that would make a connection, that I felt confident of, to the 90 degree AN fitting. It's a little bit cramped down there so I pointed the AN fittings forward and made a bit of a switch back on the tubes. It made it much easier to jump the longeron and make the desired bend behind the rudder cable and the tubing can stay tucked in close to the fuse wall. (From Rivetbangers)

Tank skin pillowing
Brad Oliver ran into a problem after construction of his fuel tanks. Some "pillowing" took place that made the mating with the leading edge somewhat problematic. The fix -- among several suggested -- came from Rick Galati on Van's Air Force that included drilling out some of the rivets along the outside edge of the leading edge, putting a shim between the skin and flange of the outboard rib to make the two edges mate better, and then re-rivet. (More on VAF)

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

PICTURE OF THE WEEK I guess there was really no question what the big picture of the week is: the RV-12 flying. Apparently this is a plane you're going to either love, or hate, based on the Internet chatter this week. Still, you have to admit there's something cool about the company boss being the test-pilot. I suppose this thing is going to be yellow too. More Pictures of the Week needed. How about taking one this week?