Finishing Kit Omissions/Options

iamtheari · #1 09-13-2018, 06:10 PM

I know it's been discussed before, but not in depth and apparently at a time when the kits were organized differently as I saw people talking about air vents in the finishing kit.

I have decided to do the wings later in the build, so I am working on the fuselage now and just ordered my engine and propeller in time to get the Oshkosh discount. Next up will be the finishing kit, so I can get my plane on its wheels and mount the engine. The cowling will probably take as many hours as the entire empennage did, anyhow, so I want to get started on that and other tedium soon.

What items should I be leaving out of the finishing kit, or adding to it? I know that the canopy comes in a variety of tint/UV protection options and I'll check into those. I am still debating a wheel/brake upgrade and open to input on that topic. I am building the RV-14 taildragger. What else should I be looking at?

I wish I had asked about the fuselage kit, since I am going to end up with a bunch of unused parts when I am done. Plastic air vents, brake and fuel lines, etc. Same with the static port kit that came with the empennage kit. I'm trying not to have a collection of parts in my basement when I finish the airplane.

Thanks as always to the brain trust here at VAF!

RV-14E · #2 09-13-2018, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamtheari

I wish I had asked about the fuselage kit, since I am going to end up with a bunch of unused parts when I am done. Plastic air vents, brake and fuel lines, etc. Same with the static port kit that came with the empennage kit. I'm trying not to have a collection of parts in my basement when I finish the airplane.

Van's has a 2 year return policy on many items, less a 10% restocking fee. If you have parts you aren't going to use, the cost is sunk. Consider recouping what you can by returning them.

Their full return policy is located here: https://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/return_form.pdf

Discus2b · #3 09-13-2018, 06:58 PM

Vetterman Exhaust
Recommend installing the steps (yes for the 14, I’m 6’3” , can step hi/lo, and still would install them).
Best tail wheel system.
H

azflyer21 · #4 09-13-2018, 08:08 PM

Here are some things to consider. If you are not using stock wheels/brakes, there are items to omit. Seats from Classic Aero have seatback frames integrated, stock seatbacks can be omitted. If you are not using the stock piano hinge on the cowl, these can be deleted as well.

iamtheari · #5 09-13-2018, 08:47 PM

What are the alternatives to the piano hinge on the cowl?

Don E · #6 09-13-2018, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamtheari

What are the alternatives to the piano hinge on the cowl?

Would not consider any alternatives. I did add the RV-14 pin covers, can’t remember the maker...

RV-14E · #7 09-13-2018, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamtheari

What are the alternatives to the piano hinge on the cowl?

Quarter turn fasteners.

Discus2b · #8 09-14-2018, 05:55 PM

Camlocs on top and bottom , piano hinge horizontal attaching top to bottom and down the side, bottom cowl. I chose not to paint the camlocs and it looks great.
I did this after noticing the 7 rv’s on the field replacing hinge with cams in top/bottom sections.
H

Tom Sampson · #9 09-19-2018, 09:46 PM

Skybolt makes a great "camlock" type fastener kit for the cowlings. We used them on both our RV9a and RV7 builds ... they were functional and looked great!

iamtheari · #10 09-19-2018, 11:14 PM

Thanks for the tips on the Skybolt fasteners. I'm almost at the point in the fuselage where you put the hinge material on, so I'd better make a decision and order some parts if I'm going to go that way. Is there any particular reason you kept the piano hinge attachment at the sides of the firewall?