Rainier Lamers
Well Known Member
Appologies for posting information on an aircraft that is not a RV-12 here, but I think this may be relevant to some RV-12 builders.
This is just a small note related to experiences with a similar aircraft to the RV12 from a construction and performance point of view. It is a Sling-2 (pic below). The Sling is constructed very similar to the RV using low profile domed pop rivets.
I ordered one factory built but insisted that they try to use counter sunk pop rivets instead (at my risk). We had to prove that the counter sunk rivets where as strong as the normal rivets so the authorities would approve this but that was not a problem. They are.
They started experimenting with various rivet types and dimpling methods and some two weeks ago I received the Sling and what a beauty she had become. The holes left in the middle of the rivet are no issue - just fill them before painting. Very quick. We estimated that cruise would be around 1-1.5 Knots faster compared to the standard issue but it turned out to be about 3 Knots and a noticable reduction in fuel burn if speed is reduced slightly. Unexpected however was the improvement on the low end of the scale with lower and cleaner stall.
So, if anybody may be thinking of doing this to an RV-12, I think it's worth the effort. Speed gain when standing still on the ground is 20 knots
The Sling, like the RV-12 is LSA with a Rotax 912ULS, here with a 72" three blade Warp (just for the looks). It's around 80lbs heavier though and slightly larger overall with a sliding canopy and large amounts of bagage storage (which we use to carry test and measurement electronics).
Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics
This is just a small note related to experiences with a similar aircraft to the RV12 from a construction and performance point of view. It is a Sling-2 (pic below). The Sling is constructed very similar to the RV using low profile domed pop rivets.
I ordered one factory built but insisted that they try to use counter sunk pop rivets instead (at my risk). We had to prove that the counter sunk rivets where as strong as the normal rivets so the authorities would approve this but that was not a problem. They are.
They started experimenting with various rivet types and dimpling methods and some two weeks ago I received the Sling and what a beauty she had become. The holes left in the middle of the rivet are no issue - just fill them before painting. Very quick. We estimated that cruise would be around 1-1.5 Knots faster compared to the standard issue but it turned out to be about 3 Knots and a noticable reduction in fuel burn if speed is reduced slightly. Unexpected however was the improvement on the low end of the scale with lower and cleaner stall.
So, if anybody may be thinking of doing this to an RV-12, I think it's worth the effort. Speed gain when standing still on the ground is 20 knots
The Sling, like the RV-12 is LSA with a Rotax 912ULS, here with a 72" three blade Warp (just for the looks). It's around 80lbs heavier though and slightly larger overall with a sliding canopy and large amounts of bagage storage (which we use to carry test and measurement electronics).
Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics
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