E-bus and switching
Why can't the e-bus be powered through a switch? It introduces a single point of failure.(AeroElectric List)
Lousy idle
The problem: The basic problem is that I'll start the engine and it fires right up and
runs at about 700-750 RPM just like the book says it should. But from
there, all it seems to want to do is gradually idle slower and slower as the
engine warms up until it barely runs (between 450-500 RPM) by the time I've
done all my checks and am ready to take the runway for takeoff. (RV List)
Testing 1-2-3
How do I power up and test circuits and/or systems from my battery and still have short protection? (AeroElectric)
Carb vs. fuel injected in Van's FWF plans
Here's a thread I started about figuring out the differences in some of the dimensions on Van's plans for people who have vertical induction engines. (VAF)
VIDEOS
Blackjack formation flight
Should we mention that the video caught someone picking their nose? Nah... It's a great video just uploaded this week (Watch)
Spot landing contest
It's almost cheating in an RV-6, isn't it? (Watch)
FEATURED STORY
I Learned about Flying an RV from That!
Sometimes when we're consumed with the notion of building an RV aircraft, we forget that someday we have to learn how to fly one. It's true, from what I'm told, that the RV is a fairly docile airplane, but it's still not a 172 or a Piper Warrior.
So in the last few weeks, I solicited stories from RV drivers about the moment at which the light bulb went on about the art of flying an RV airplane. Here are some of the comments of those who responded.
(More)
Superior in Chapter 11
Superior Air Parts has filed for protection under Chapter 11 of federal bankruptcy law, but only to facilitate a sale of company assets to a Textron subsidiary that is already in progress. Court records state proceedings can conclude Feb. 24. In the meantime, court records indicate that Superior Air Parts is shipping parts but not manufacturing them or Vantage engines. (AOPA) Related links: Notice of auction and sale of parts Thread: Will having a Superior engine affect RV resale? (VAF) Thread: Superior Air Parts, 1967-2008 (VAF)
Man's love for flying airplanes takes flight Retirement to a sedentary lifestyle was not in the cards for Lynn McDonald when he quit a 40-year career as a cabinetmaker. An early love of airplanes led to his taking pilot lessons at age 59 while simultaneously building a full-sized Avid Mark IV single-winged plane from a kit.
He took another two years to complete an RV6. (More)
The skinny on D-Sub connectors If there are avionics in your future, you'll probably need to know all about D-Sub connectors. A thread on the AeroElectric List started as a simple question about the best way to hold them together, but evolved into a very helpful thread on when to use them. Even that Stein character chipped in with some knowledge. (AeroElectric List)
Fiberglass map box In my panel design, having a map box was always a secondary consideration to basic panel layout and keeping the stock panel. However, with the way my panel layout ended up, I was able to incorporate a map box. I always assumed Van's map box was the only game in town until I visited a local RV-8 builder who had AeroTronics make his map box. I was very impressed with it, as it was fiberglass and seamless The Van's map box always seemed ugly and kludgy.
(Mike Bullock on Rivetbangers) From the archive: A flush map box Related link: Installing the map box (Building an RV-7 in Oz)
Inexpensive engine pre-heater It came time for me to create a simple and cheap engine pre-heater. While this isn't an original idea, I just simply worked with the items I had laying around. An inexpensive ceramic heater ($21) from Wal-Mart, some scrap aluminum (In this case it was a damaged elevator skin left over from my initial build.), and a dryer vent hose ($10 ) from the aviation isle at Lowe's. (Bill Repucci) Related link: Engine preheat is a big deal (Plane & Pilot)
Working on the bucket list
A few years ago, I realized my dream of owning a Van’s airplane of my very own through the simple expedient of purchasing an already-built RV-6. As part of my pre-purchase due diligence, I had contacted a local RV-8 owner who was generous enough to not only take me flying with him, but to ride along with him as he practiced formation flying with a collection of other RV owners. I not only got rides in an RV-8, RV-6, and an RV-4 that day, I also got to experience for the first time the thrill of flying in a formation with other airplanes. (PapaGolf Chronicles)
There's something about getting something new -- and even paying the continuously rising shipping charges (I could buy a prop for what I've spent just in shipping, handling and postage over the past 8 years!) that creates an indicator of progress. And for many homebuilders of airplanes, a sense of progress is important. (More)
ACCIDENT REPORTS
None reported
OTHER NEWS
Hudson landing offers important lessons for GA
Pilots seeing images of US Airways Flight 1549 floating in the Hudson River probably shared three thoughts: those pilots did everything right; I hope I could do it right if I ever had to; I hope I never have to. (AOPA)
Landing gear; toe in or toe out?
RV builder Jack Dueck says If your homebuilt tail-dragger seems to be more squirrelly
than it should, check your toe-in/toe-out condition. (EAA 1410)
Photography tips
You've seen everyone else take those spiffy pictures, how about you? Here's some tips. (EAA 25)
DWG 46(a) revisions
Unfortunately the PDF that Van's posted is so poor it's difficult to know what the revisions are. (See pdf for A | See Pdf for DWG 46)
February calendar
Dave Gamble provides an RV-related and non-RV-related desktop calendar.(PapaGolf Chronicles)
Garmin issues fix for weather outage
Garmin has issued an update for certain handheld GPS units to fix a problem with access to the XM weather option. The 4.60 upgrade is aimed at upgrading "XM data validation for XM subscribers with weather data only." Over New Year's hundreds of Garmin XM subscribers lost weather capability and it was several days before service was restored.
Retirement to a sedentary lifestyle was not in the cards for Lynn McDonald when he quit a 40-year career as a cabinetmaker. An early love of airplanes led to his taking pilot lessons at age 59 while simultaneously building a full-sized Avid Mark IV single-winged plane from a kit.
He took another two years to complete an RV6. (
If there are avionics in your future, you'll probably need to know all about D-Sub connectors. A thread on the AeroElectric List started as a simple question about the best way to hold them together, but evolved into a very helpful thread on when to use them. Even that Stein character chipped in with some knowledge. (
In my panel design, having a map box was always a secondary consideration to basic panel layout and keeping the stock panel. However, with the way my panel layout ended up, I was able to incorporate a map box. I always assumed Van's map box was the only game in town until I visited a local RV-8 builder who had AeroTronics make his map box. I was very impressed with it, as it was fiberglass and seamless The Van's map box always seemed ugly and kludgy.
(
It came time for me to create a simple and cheap engine pre-heater. While this isn't an original idea, I just simply worked with the items I had laying around. An inexpensive ceramic heater ($21) from Wal-Mart, some scrap aluminum (In this case it was a damaged elevator skin left over from my initial build.), and a dryer vent hose ($10 ) from the aviation isle at Lowe's. (
