| Hot
threads online |
|
Builders insurance?
A builder reports an insurance company wants a CFI to fly off the 25 hours. Whaaaat? (RV Yahoogroup) |
|
J-stiffeners on a tip-up
Be prepared to trim. (Rivetbangers) |
|
Alternate air control
Do you need to provide it? (VAF) |
|
Smooth bottom cowl system
Are there any major disadvantages to a "clean" look? (VAF) |
|
Stuck fuel float?
Have you ever had your fuel sender float get stuck in the "up" position? (RV YGroup) |
|
Interior finish
RVers offer their preferences for what paint to use in the cabin interior. It's not exactly a primer war, but it could be. (VAF) |
|
First engine start -- What to look for
Rated power? Check. No oil/fluid leaks? Check. Oil pressur? Check. What else? (VAF) |
|
Fixed or constant speed
Really, like just about everything else, it dependson the kind of flying you do, and the amount of money you feel like spending, right?(VAF) |
|
Landing gear bolt
It's a simple enough question -- what size bolt -- but it'll get you thinking about whether wear on the bolt will make your nose gear fall off over time. Trust me on this. I can't sleep. (VAF) |
|
RV-9 vs. RV-7
Can't decide which one to build? Maybe this thread will help. (VAF) |
|
Tail wheel swivel
The tail wheel lubing ritual explained. (rvsqn - reg. required) |
|
Oshkosh plans
I'm stunned by the number of people who don't camp at Oshkosh anymore. That, and the installation of flush toilets. What's happening to us? (Rivetbangers) |
|
How to measure actual current
Multimeter is the obvious answer.... or is it?(AeroElectric List) |
|
Stick
grip wire routing
How should wires exit the control stick? An RVer studies the issue and concludes you shouldn't drill any holes in the stick.(VAF) |
|
Engine grounding on an RV-10
Options considered. (AeroElectric) |
|
Build your own oxygen setup
An RVer asks: "Is it worthwhile, safe, cost effective to assemble my own portable system or should I just part with $500 and buy a system?" (VAF) |
|
| WHAT THEY'RE BUILDING |
RV-12
Jerry Greenberg. Rudder and anti-servo tap. (See Web site)
RV-10
Mike Schipper. Finishing kit. (See Web site)
RV-7
Jerry Carter. Working on baffling (See Web site)
|
|
|
|
FEATURED STORY |
CG
and the RV-8 airplane
"I recommended to the owner that when flying solo, he should always keep 20 lbs of ballast in the aft baggage compartment. When I built my own RV-8, I planned in the beginning to use a constant speed propeller, which puts the CG fairly far forward. I put the Odyssey battery and strobe flasher behind the rear seat, and did what I could to minimize weight up front. Even with those considerations, I find the need to carry the same 20 lbs of ballast when flying solo. This gives reasonable stick forces for aerobatics (I would prefer them to be just a bit lighter, but not as light as with two people), and I still have enough elevator to flare and land at light weight." (More from Terry Lutz)
Recommended reading:
Weight and Balance: Weighing and Measuring Your Safety (members only)
Determining the weight and balance of your RV (EAA 105)
Sport Aviation archive: CAFE Foundation RV-8 report |
High-flying dream takes shape in garage
Vicki Ashby knew how much her husband wanted to build an airplane and so as his 50th birthday approached in May 2005 she started planning a surprise. In lieu of presents, she asked prospective guests to contribute to the rivet fund. Rivets hold aluminum airplanes together.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Quickbuilding An RV Even Quicker -- The Legal Way
So you've been thinking of building one of the RV kit aircraft from Van's Aircraft, Inc. You really like the look of their QuickBuild Kits, but you have questions. Is it something I can really do? Do I have to do everything myself? Is professional assistance legal? Well, one thing has never been questioned: preparing and educating yourself before you start an airplane project is legal... and smart. (Aero-News Network)
Engines the rotary way
 David Leonard's turbo rotary RV-6 is featured in this month's Sport Aviation magazine. You can find out why he went with the Mazda on his Web site. Details about the install can be found here. He's got 360 hours on it now. One benefit, he told me this week, is that it's easier to install auto engine parts and says the biggest differences are:
Automatic mixture control, though I still fine tune the mixture alot when running LOP.
No worries about shock cooling.
Don't usually drain the fuel on pre-flight - minor water contamination would be a non-issue.
Never an issue with hot starting.
Starts right up with no pre-warming (I have done it as low as -5F).
No risk of vapor lock.
No risk of carb ice without need for alternate air.
No issue with ethanol.
Oh, and it goes really fast.
Which is worse: The canopy or the cowling?
 I love some of the blog/construction sites that are out there. There are some very talented writers documenting various stages of RV construction. Ken Boucher has just about finished his cowling on an RV-8 and provides loads of pictures and a few chuckles. (See his blog)
RV tripping
Carrollton Fly-out
The Ohio Valley RVators have some of the most interesting fly-outs on a regular basis. Last weekend, mor than a dozen gathered at Carrolton, Ohio. Plenty of pictures via Flickr. (See images from Brandon Wren)
Other day-trips:
PapaGolf Chronicles: Zanesville Denny's!
Carthage for lunch
South Central America trip 2009
Anatomy of an engine failure
 Roy Thomas of EAA Chapter 105 provides an interesting follow-up to an incident in his Zenith on the way to Oshkosh last summer. (EAA 105 February newsletter)
What's the longest currently-active RV project?
 I suspect there are more long-term RV projects out there than we think. Larry Adamson had one until recently. It took 12 years, but he's got a flying airplane now. It does bring up an interesting questions, though. What is the longest currently active RV project. If you have a clue, write me and let me know. (EAA 23)
|
| ACCIDENT REPORTS |
NEW INCIDENTS
MA: Worcester. RV-4. During run-up, the tail lifted and the prop struck the ground. 2/7/09
(Data
| Registration) |
|
| OTHER NEWS |
Garmin trade-in
The availability of spare display boards for the Apollo GX series of GPS navigators is depleted and the original parts manufacturer has discontinued producing the parts. As a result of these events Garmin is launching a trade in program for GX owners with non-repairable units. For a limited time customers can purchase a GNS430W / 530W series product at a discounted price.
The definition of 'fabrication'
The EAA's Amateur Rules Committee (which includes Van) has finished its work and makes its recommendations.
Van's closed on Monday
We will be closed on
Monday February 16th
Presidents' Day
Phone, Fax, e-mail and Web Orders placed after
12PM noon (Pacific Time) on Friday, February 13th
will be processed on Tuesday February 17th.
Whirlwind 200 prop group buy at VAF
The group buy will be for a period of 60 days starting February 4th and ending April 6th.
Fitting the frame for the slider canopy
It's amazing how many informative pdf files are floating around Van's Web site.
Construction webcam
Philippe Marseille shows how to build an RV-9A in French. He's bulding 0100-0300 Zulu daily, he says. Hit refresh.
"A pilot's story"
Web site profiles the making of a documentary. There's an occasional shot of an RV.
Van's offers RV-6 fuselage kits
It's almost like it's going back into production. Almost. (Van's)
Domeier skunk works
EAA 32 has a few words and pictures as an RVer dumps the Subaru engine in favor of a Lycoming. Is anyone still installing Subies in their RVs? (EAA 32 February newsletter)
Right here, Nevada!
EAA calls for help in fighting an anti-homebuilding effort.
Follow on Twitter
If you're a Twitter account holder, feel free to follow @N614EF |
|
| DID YOU MISS IT? |
A lot of folks didn't get the last issue. Find it here.It featured the story of Richard Fazio's RV-6 and its comeback from a fire; the high-speed taxi debate; and a look at GAMIjectors |
|
|
|
Airbox Vibration
 On VAF, Frank Smidler observed that some people are having problems with the filtered airbox. "On some carbs the mounting plate can not be mounted flat without a spacer due to flashing at the rear edge. Some have notched the plate so much to clear the flashing that it left very little metal near the bolt resulting in a high stress area that resulted in cracks. I filed down the flashing and then used a 3/16" spacer. I believe you will find most RVs have no problem with with the FAB. Also to be considered is the vibration your engine sees. Wood props will produce less vibration and if you use a metal prop having it properly balanced will greatly reduce the unwanted forces on the FAB." He provides images here.
Hotline video: Strobe wiring runs
 I'm starting to decide on various wire routes, one of which is the strobe wires from the power supply behind the baggage compartment to the wings. I didn't like the suggested route; there's too much chance they could interfere with control columns. I'm hoping to produce more videos during the remaining portion of the RV-7A project. So here's the first one. (Watch on YouTube)
Identifying MilSpec wire
 How to choose the proper wire, how to decipher the code (EAA)
|
