Rocket down in New Jersey
Friends say there were two things Dennis McGurk Jr. loved: flying and his wife, Oksana. A few months ago, the Atlantic City police officer added to his love when he purchased a 2007 F1 Harmon Rocket Acrobatic Plane, for which he traveled to Texas to assist the manufacturer with custom assembly. Both were killed when the plane crashed a week ago Friday. (More)

This week's fly-in roundup
Pictures of RVs. More pictures of RVs. Still more. There's not a lot "new," per se at a fly-in, except the constant barrage of airplane pictures. And what's wrong with that. Here's this week's recap of various events across the far-flung Planet RV.
Pix: Benton, KS pancake feed (and write-up here)
Pix: Lancaster, SC fly-in (and write-up here)
Thread: Lewistown, MT fly-in (VAF)
Pix: Colorado to Minnesota trip (Write-up VAF)
Benton Holzwarth's Scappoose images

Builder profile: Dan Reeves
Dan Reeves, 44, of Zenu Road in Lower Allen Twp., is building a Van's RV-7A airplane in his basement. He will have to dig out part of the basement wall to get it out.(More)
Related Links:
Building a Zenith in a basement (Sport Aviation)
VAF: Can I build an RV in a two-car garage?
Kitplanes: Setting up shop ($$)

The RV photography of Don Neuberg
Every now and again Don Neuberg sends some terrific photos of his work, and much of his work involves taking photos of RV airplanes. With the return of the RV Builder's Hotline, Don has sent some of his favorites that he's been saving. (More)

Properly attaching a rod end bearing
RVer Jack Dueck of Calgary is doing a sensational job in the series of homebuilt tips that EAA is making available. This week he takes us through the process of properly attaching a rod end bearing. This is an area that has concerned me for some time because I see a lot of builders who attach rod ends without the proper washers to keep the bolt from slipping through in the event of rod-end failure. Check it out.

Static line clip
Sometimes the simple solutions look pretty nifty. I saw this on Warren Starkebaum's plane today. It's the clip he's spaced every 8 or 9 inches or so to hold his static line in place as it makes its way forward under the longeron. The Van's instructions feature a little piece of .032, curled at an end and riveted through the skin and that certainly works too. But this arrangement looks much nicer.

Note: Every now and again, the flow of builder tips stops and I have to put out another call for people to submit their favorite ones -- either ones they developed, or ones they stole. Keep in mind that new builders are coming along all the time and what might seem like old hat, really isn't. So please forward your favorite builder tip to me and include a link to its source so I can give proper credit.

Oshkosh Plans
Yesterday's opening of Camp Scholler has lots of us pining for Oshkosh. Although there's no RV Builder's BBQ this year (the up-front cash was going to be too much for me this year). I'd like to do it next year but only if we can get some financial assistance assured by the end of this summer. Otherwise I end up with a huge gamble with no guarantee I'll be able to break even.), I'll be in the same spot in the field in Camp Scholler (See the map). You're all invited to stop by at any time. I'll have a cooler of drinks and a (much smaller) grill. Bring a chair and sit and talk RV building. My cellphone number is 651.246.5564. Better still, why don't we make the area around 12th and Lindbergh an RV builders' corral?

I'm also planning on writing an article on judging an RV. I need two things (1) an EAA aircraft judge and (2) a willing RV builder who is flying into Oshkosh, preferably very early. I'm talking to the EAA to find the judge. I'm talking to you -- now -- to find the volunteer. Please e-mail me if you'd like to be the RV guinea pig.

A few weeks ago, I printed a schedule of RV-related forums. If you plan on attending any and are bringing a laptop and would like to write an article on one you attend, please contact me. It's a simple matter of simply forwarding it to me via e-mail.

As to Oshkosh, I'll be providing updates on Letters from Flyover Country, and I'll provide updates through the day via Twitter here. Be sure to sign up to follow along. Hope to see you at Oshkosh.

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

PICTURE OF THE WEEK This is the proper form for any get-together of RV airplane builders. Drinks in hand, backs bent, quizzical look on face. This was taken this (Saturday) afternoon at Warren Starkebaum's hangar in Crystal, Minn.