| Hot
threads online |
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Things
I wish I'd done while building
Here's a very informative thread with the post-build
analysis that will help the pre-build folks. (VAF) |
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How
'redundant' should 'redundant' be?
Bob Nuckolls says "remember Apollo 13?" (Aero
Electric List) |
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Nosewheel to tailwheel conversion?
Or, as Van would say, "Take a cold shower." (RV YGroup) |
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Need for start-up protection
A very active thread on the notion that start-up "spikes" pose a threat to avionics, and what you can do about it. (AeroElectric) |
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Fuel starvation
With a low wing, are there ways to unport the fuel supply? (VAF) |
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Dynon AP pitch issue
Jamie Painter's story of wrestling with various autopilot systems. (VAF) |
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First flight test plan
An RVator offers up his checklist for his first flight. Is it too much for one person to do on the first flight? (RV List) |
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How to build light
Without getting into arguments about which is better on such things as CS props vs. FP, wood vs. metal, auto fuses vs. CB's, could we just list the things that you have done which you feel provided weight savings. (VAF) |
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Winter CHT and oil temps
Are CHT temps at 200 -250F normal or too cold in an RV-7A? (VAF) |
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Van's demonstrators and cracked canopies
A thread on how the canopies on Van's demonstrators are holding up? (VAF) |
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Countersinking fuel tank skin
Would you countersink or dimple deeper? (VAF) |
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Firewall forward insulation glue
A builder does some testing on the insulation glue, and the thread raises the questions about what standards need to be observed. (VAF) |
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Indicator lights. What functions to include
Thoughts on annunciator lights on an RV-10 panel. (RV-10 List) |
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Build or buy
In the long run, is it cheaper to buy a flying an RV, or to build one? (VAF) |
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| VIDEOS |
Ellington Field Veterans Day Flight
 A nicely-produced piece featuring RV-4s, RV-6s, and RV-8s in a Veterans Day formation. (View)
First Flight N7965A
This is some serious video from the chase plane. (View)
Team RV at Boshears
Formation flying at an event in Georgia. (View) |
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FEATURED STORY |
Building in a bad economy
 If it's really true, as we like to insist it is, that aviation is not just a rich man's game and the local airport is not filled with "rich boys and their toys," then it stands to reason that the RV community is undergoing some real pain when it comes to approaching, building, completing, or flying its various RV projects.
Only two people responded to my questionnaire in the last issue , however, seeking the thoughts of those who are facing financial challenges in this economy. So you can judge for yourself where reality lies.
(Read more) |
A trip to SteinAir
 About 50 members of the Minnesota Wing of Van's Air Force met today at SteinAir in Farmington, Minnesota. For an hour, Stein Bruch held court, surrounded by thousands -- tens of thousands -- of dollars in instrument panels and equipment his team is assembling. (More)
RVers killed
in Australia crash
Mark
Grosvenor and Campbell Brown died when their RV-7 crashed near
Jindare Station airstrip on November 21. It is understood the
pair had flown from Darwin and were visiting a friend on the station.
Mr Grosvenor, 39, owned Albatross Helicopters at Noonamah. (Northern
Territory News)
Veteran pilot
joins ranks of airplane builders
Ask long-time pilot John Stiegelmeyer what first flight was the
most nerve-wracking, and the answer might surprise you. Throughout
his career in military and commercial aviation, Captain J.R. Stiegelmeyer
had several first flights in large flying machines. So, which
of the first flights in his lifetime was the most challenging,
the most scary? It was in the smallest plane he has ever flown,
an RV-7A (Vinton
Eagle)
RV-12 builders urged to inspect for cracks
 Van's Aircraft has posted a notice on its Web site, urging RV-12 builders to inspect partsF-1208-L, F-1209-L, F-1210A-L for cracks. The company doesn't say what prompted the notice but it provides guidance for actions if cracks are found on the airframe. (Van's Aircraft)
Installing the VP-50 in an RV
 Elsewhere in this issue, you'll read an update on the big-money avionics people are putting in their RVs. For people who've longed for a solid-state solution to RV wiring, a more affordable approach is now shipping -- Vertical Power's VP-50. Even better, there's an updated blog from Tom Velvick of its installation in an RV-6 (More)
The Odyssey of N905AD
 By way of Doug Reeves, Daryl Sahnow has written a nice little piece about his building project. How can you work for Van's for 24 years and not have built an airplane up to this point? (VAF)
To wire or not to wire
As I decided what equipment would be used and the electrical specifics of each of those pieces from their manuals, I was able to expand the scope and specifics of my drawings. Clearly these become living documents that rapidly change at first, then eventually represents the roadmap of what lays ahead:. the actual wiring! (Mike Rhodes in EAA 902 Dec. newsletter)
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| ACCIDENT REPORTS |
GA: Probable cause released in 9/19/07 incident in which the door of an RV-10 fell off in flight. Tests on other RV-10s showed no design reason. (Data)
NM: Probable cause released in the fatal crash on 2/28/07 of an RV-6 in Carlsbad. Undetermined reasons. (Data)
News incidents
CA: Fresno. 11/25/08. RV-6. sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff. (Data)
NV: North Las Vegas. 12/7/08. RV-4 veered off runway and nosed over. Minor injuries (Data) |
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| OTHER NEWS |
Back
to the future
Other than "downwind turns" and "logging time," there is no other subject in general aviation that is as likely to cause a serious debate among a handful of pilots and mechanics, as is the subject of "leaning" aircraft piston engines.
RV-12 parts index
Van's Aircraft has made Section 4 of the RV-12 building manual available for download. (pdf format)
Back
to the future
Other than "downwind turns" and "logging time," there is no other subject in general aviation that is as likely to cause a serious debate among a handful of pilots and mechanics, as is the subject of "leaning" aircraft piston engines.
Matronics list contributors
The annual pledge drive is over. Matt Dralle provides a list of who came through.
Slideshow: Seattle flying
Jim Piavis' Flickr slideshow with Brandon Seltz flying around and motivating the rest of us.
David Maib's first flight
EAA Chapter 25's newsletter takes a look at David's RV-10
Geek Squad: Airborne division
Dave Gamble has me thinking about a new idea for a paintjob. (PapaGolf Chronicles) |
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Do
it yourself angle-of-attack indicator
 An
angle of attack indicator is a valuable addition to any panel.
But at $1,400 for the top of the line one to almost $900 for the
sport model, man, it makes a real dent in the wallet at a time
when there isn't much left in it. This month, Sport Aviation carried
an article on a do-it-yourself angle of attack indicator from
Dave
Barker of EAA Chapter 79. He'll sell
you the parts to make it for $50. I'd love to hear from anyone
who's using it. Maybe you can build it and sell it to other people
for $100. Hint.
Dimpling in hard-to-reach places
 The latest EAA homebuilder video features Wally Anderson explaining a technique to dimple areas, such as deep aft on the aileron. (Watch)
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