Van's Air Force
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- Thread starter DeltaRomeo
- Start date
danielhv
Well Known Member
Another rv7 takes to the sky! Three years in the making.
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I like the paint colors! Can you post more pics? All around and panel perhaps?
Jon Clements
Well Known Member
Another rv7 takes to the sky! Three years in the making.
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Looks hot Pete!
Looking forward to sharing some wing to wing time soon....
Cheers
Jon.
dhall_polo
Well Known Member
go oz
There are some pretty -7's coming out down under!
There are some pretty -7's coming out down under!
boom3
Well Known Member
Last Skin Riveted
Well last night I figured out that those access panels I installed in the top skin have other uses too. To let heat and swear words out while bucking.
"Oww my back, I can't get my other arm, dam, %^$, who put all this *&^& under here!!! Get me another pillow, what's poking my back, ^&%#, a cramp, my arm is stuck. &*^ #@$%%#!!!!!!"
Thank you Vans for saving that skin for last so I didn't quit a long time ago.
Well last night I figured out that those access panels I installed in the top skin have other uses too. To let heat and swear words out while bucking.
"Oww my back, I can't get my other arm, dam, %^$, who put all this *&^& under here!!! Get me another pillow, what's poking my back, ^&%#, a cramp, my arm is stuck. &*^ #@$%%#!!!!!!"
Thank you Vans for saving that skin for last so I didn't quit a long time ago.
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dhall_polo
Well Known Member
Hilarious
So true! My lower back hurt for a week after that skin.
So true! My lower back hurt for a week after that skin.
Another rv7 takes to the sky! Three years in the making.
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So is this picture reversed? or is that the way you build em down there......
BTW..... great colors!!
cjensen
Well Known Member
No longer a project!!
7/6/2010-Airworthiness Inspection Day
I got out to the hangar at about 0930 this morning to get things tidied up around the hangar for the DAR. I didn't know exactly what time she was gonna make it to the hangar, but at about 1000 she called to tell me she was leaving the office in Springfield, and would be in Bloomington at about 1130. She had one short appointment before me at Image Air, so we decided to meet for lunch at the airport restaurant to go over the paperwork. Lunch and the paperwork ran about two hours, but all was in order with the exception of me forgetting the second page of the Repairman's Certificate application. Not a big deal, I'll just fax it to her, but I'll have to drive down to the FSDO office next week to provide my build log.
After lunch we headed over to the hangar where she proceeded to go over the airplane with an inspection mirror and flashlight. She was pleased with what she saw, and only had two items for me to correct. I had one bolt on the carb saftied incorrectly, and I need to write the date on the oil filter. When she was done inspecting it, she had me push the airplane out to run it. Just a quick run was enough for her to give the thumbs up. I got out, and she asked if I was ready to sign the papers. Heck yeah!!
I present...N755CB in a condition for safe flight..AIRWORTHY!!
7/6/2010-Airworthiness Inspection Day
I got out to the hangar at about 0930 this morning to get things tidied up around the hangar for the DAR. I didn't know exactly what time she was gonna make it to the hangar, but at about 1000 she called to tell me she was leaving the office in Springfield, and would be in Bloomington at about 1130. She had one short appointment before me at Image Air, so we decided to meet for lunch at the airport restaurant to go over the paperwork. Lunch and the paperwork ran about two hours, but all was in order with the exception of me forgetting the second page of the Repairman's Certificate application. Not a big deal, I'll just fax it to her, but I'll have to drive down to the FSDO office next week to provide my build log.
After lunch we headed over to the hangar where she proceeded to go over the airplane with an inspection mirror and flashlight. She was pleased with what she saw, and only had two items for me to correct. I had one bolt on the carb saftied incorrectly, and I need to write the date on the oil filter. When she was done inspecting it, she had me push the airplane out to run it. Just a quick run was enough for her to give the thumbs up. I got out, and she asked if I was ready to sign the papers. Heck yeah!!
I present...N755CB in a condition for safe flight..AIRWORTHY!!
panhandler1956
Well Known Member
Congrats!
Awesome Chad!
Congratulations!
Awesome Chad!
Congratulations!
flyvans.com
Well Known Member
congrats chad!
as you have read on facebook, we had the equivalent inspection over here today... unfortunately they don't hand us a "pink slip" over here, so we have to wait for just another few days...
but as in your case, we sailed through with very little fuss...
kind regards,
bernie
as you have read on facebook, we had the equivalent inspection over here today...
unfortunately they don't hand us a "pink slip" over here, so we have to wait for just another few days...but as in your case, we sailed through with very little fuss...
kind regards,
bernie
dhall_polo
Well Known Member
congrats
Awesome Chad. You get to go to Osh with a *much* smaller wishlist in your pocket. Bring pics to the POG.
Don
Awesome Chad. You get to go to Osh with a *much* smaller wishlist in your pocket. Bring pics to the POG.
Don
Jon Clements
Well Known Member
Congrats Chad
Hi Chad
Well done.....my C of A inspection is happening this weekend.....have been following your build closely. Great job.
Look forward to hearing of your first flight.
Best of luck from Down Under
Regards
JON
Hi Chad
Well done.....my C of A inspection is happening this weekend.....have been following your build closely. Great job.
Look forward to hearing of your first flight.
Best of luck from Down Under
Regards
JON
[email protected]
Well Known Member
just touching 2,000 hours... getting very close
there was a time i thought that first flight might be around 1,600 hours... ha... then i thought 1,800 hours... ha... i have now logged 2,000 hours; first flight is getting very near.
there was a time i thought that first flight might be around 1,600 hours... ha... then i thought 1,800 hours... ha... i have now logged 2,000 hours; first flight is getting very near.
Jon Clements
Well Known Member
VH-JWC First Flight
Three and a half years of building resulted in the first flight of my RV-7 on Saturday 17th July at 2.15pm.
Pete James was my trusted Test Pilot and all went perfectly as hoped. I was in the back of Ken Browns RV-8 flying chase and yes I am still smiling!
Thanks to Mick Haynes (guru mentor), Pete James, Ken Brown, Graham Beggs, Rod Thynne, Darren Barnfield, Hugh Satchell and the many others who provided ongoing advice and support throughout my project.
Particular thanks go out to my wife Elisa and my two boys (Hugo and Cooper). My passion for aircraft building has meant a lot of absence over the past three and a half years and I am looking forward to getting my "other" life back as much as i am looking forward to taking them flying.
Thanks of course to Doug Reeves and all on VAF. This site has been my primary resource for information throughout my build and I can't imagine building an RV without it. The ongoing generosity of so many people who contribute such detailed and considered advice (often professional) never ceases to amaze me.
A large part of my RV grin has come from sharing the journey with you all.
Thanks
JON.
Three and a half years of building resulted in the first flight of my RV-7 on Saturday 17th July at 2.15pm.
Pete James was my trusted Test Pilot and all went perfectly as hoped. I was in the back of Ken Browns RV-8 flying chase and yes I am still smiling!
Thanks to Mick Haynes (guru mentor), Pete James, Ken Brown, Graham Beggs, Rod Thynne, Darren Barnfield, Hugh Satchell and the many others who provided ongoing advice and support throughout my project.
Particular thanks go out to my wife Elisa and my two boys (Hugo and Cooper). My passion for aircraft building has meant a lot of absence over the past three and a half years and I am looking forward to getting my "other" life back as much as i am looking forward to taking them flying.
Thanks of course to Doug Reeves and all on VAF. This site has been my primary resource for information throughout my build and I can't imagine building an RV without it. The ongoing generosity of so many people who contribute such detailed and considered advice (often professional) never ceases to amaze me.
A large part of my RV grin has come from sharing the journey with you all.
Thanks
JON.
Paul Austin
Active Member
Congratulation
Well done Jon the paint scheme on you aircraft looks amazing.Hopefully i should be at your stage in the next couple of months with my 7a
Well done Jon the paint scheme on you aircraft looks amazing.Hopefully i should be at your stage in the next couple of months with my 7a
Last of the big jobs!
Wings on at last !
This is a job I decided to leave towards the end of the build. My farmer neighbour very kindly suggested the use of one of his barns as long the rigging was finished before the start of harvest so I had to take advantage of his offer. The wing connection went very well (too well really) and at last it looked like a fully fledged RV7, quite a moment.
My effiors are now on finishing the engine compartment and some final wiring. The emp has gone for painting so it looks like the end is getting nearer - 90% done, 90% to do!
Wings on at last !
This is a job I decided to leave towards the end of the build. My farmer neighbour very kindly suggested the use of one of his barns as long the rigging was finished before the start of harvest so I had to take advantage of his offer. The wing connection went very well (too well really) and at last it looked like a fully fledged RV7, quite a moment.
My effiors are now on finishing the engine compartment and some final wiring. The emp has gone for painting so it looks like the end is getting nearer - 90% done, 90% to do!
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FlyinOBrien2
Member
Empennage Complete!
We started our RV-7 journey in March of this year and we are proud to announce that our empennage is complete! The wing kit shall be ordered within the next couple of weeks!
We started our RV-7 journey in March of this year and we are proud to announce that our empennage is complete! The wing kit shall be ordered within the next couple of weeks!
Bullseye
Well Known Member
After 150 build hours and just over 2000 rivets set (2137 set, 123 drilled out, which puts me a drill-out percentage of 5.76%...seems high to me), I finally have the left elevator mostly complete.
Log entry here: http://n999za.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/left-elevator-skin-riveting/
Now I just have to finish the trim tab and I'll get to post the whole empennage together.
Log entry here: http://n999za.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/left-elevator-skin-riveting/
Now I just have to finish the trim tab and I'll get to post the whole empennage together.
hydroguy2
Well Known Member
I can give back the C-frame riveter I borrowed. Because I have officially dimpled & riveted the final skins in place, when my friend Neil dropped by today. So rear deck and front skin DONE. Also started thinking about the striping layout.
gratuitous bonus photo....Got my seats yesterday
gratuitous bonus photo....Got my seats yesterday
marchudson
Well Known Member
Hung the engine
Wooohooo
Finally got the engine on the airframe. Small steps
Wooohooo
Finally got the engine on the airframe. Small steps
[email protected]
Well Known Member
give me some sunshine... i wanna fly!
DAR visit today... the beast is ready for flight!
DAR visit today... the beast is ready for flight!
pierre smith
Well Known Member
Congratulations, for sure!
How many years so far, Stephen?
Again, congrats,
How many years so far, Stephen?
Again, congrats,
marchudson
Well Known Member
Congrats
Nice job Stephen. You have made lots a progress lately on the project. Let us know how the first flight goes.
Nice job Stephen. You have made lots a progress lately on the project. Let us know how the first flight goes.
Mark Burns
Well Known Member
Nice!!
I know what you went through! But it does make you feel good doesn't it?
Mark
My Dad came up from California and we got it prepped and painted in 36 days. What a marathon!
Wings, flaps, and ailerons are all white and the root fairings are red.
PPG Omni Basecoat / Clearcoat
I know what you went through! But it does make you feel good doesn't it?
Mark
miyu1975
Well Known Member
also...
Managed to seal down an engine...
IO 360 AIA 200HP...
has less than 200 hrs when removed, no damage, not wrecked... been pickled and in storage for 2 years... it is being torn down just for inspection and to perform any ADs.. the inside is beautiful...no surprises.
prop gov included..
...
Managed to seal down an engine...
IO 360 AIA 200HP...
has less than 200 hrs when removed, no damage, not wrecked... been pickled and in storage for 2 years... it is being torn down just for inspection and to perform any ADs.. the inside is beautiful...no surprises.
prop gov included..
...
BSwayze
Well Known Member
An Airplane in the Driveway - Wings Mated!
I have arrived at another milestone. I successfully mated the wings to the fuselage for the first time! I don't have room inside my shop to do this, so it had to be done outside. I chose a day when the weather was nice and I had some help on hand. It's an interesting adventure to take your plane outside for the first time and put big pieces of it together. Especially when you live in the city and it's in your driveway. My son Paul was home from San Diego for a visit, so I had the privilege of his help, along with some other family and friends. Here's the plane, sitting in my driveway:
I used some Boelube to lubricate everything. Then we wiggled and pushed the wings and they slid right in. It was tight, but no problems. You can see the plumb bobs I hung over the wings to check the sweep. I staked a string and measured carefully. They're swept forward very slightly, but within 1/32" of being perfect! I also triangulated and measured carefully from the tail to the tip of each wing. The measurements are so close, it's negligible. Once again, the accuracy of these kits and the engineering that has been done just blows me away. Thanks, Vans!
Here's a shot from directly in front. My sawhorse makes funny looking gear legs.
Some additional checking revealed that the rear spar bulkhead stubs sticking out of the fuselage were rubbing on the flanges of the tanks. I believe some minor trimming will alleviate this, and also correct the 1/32" forward sweep error. According to the plans, if it's within 1/2" it's close enough, but I don't want that rubbing anyway, so why not correct it?
I had to just walk around, take some pictures, and enjoy the moment. Passersby were really looking. Some stopped to comment. All in all, it was a great experience.
Once I realized that the wings have to come off for that minor trimming before going any further, there was no point moving on to consider the angle of incidence. So we just enjoyed the moment before taking it all apart and packing it back into the garage. I really enjoyed this time with Paul and the rest of my family, friends, and helpers. This will be repeated again soon to finish the sweep and incidence adjustments, and drill those holes in the rear spar.
I have arrived at another milestone. I successfully mated the wings to the fuselage for the first time! I don't have room inside my shop to do this, so it had to be done outside. I chose a day when the weather was nice and I had some help on hand. It's an interesting adventure to take your plane outside for the first time and put big pieces of it together. Especially when you live in the city and it's in your driveway. My son Paul was home from San Diego for a visit, so I had the privilege of his help, along with some other family and friends. Here's the plane, sitting in my driveway:
I used some Boelube to lubricate everything. Then we wiggled and pushed the wings and they slid right in. It was tight, but no problems. You can see the plumb bobs I hung over the wings to check the sweep. I staked a string and measured carefully. They're swept forward very slightly, but within 1/32" of being perfect! I also triangulated and measured carefully from the tail to the tip of each wing. The measurements are so close, it's negligible. Once again, the accuracy of these kits and the engineering that has been done just blows me away. Thanks, Vans!
Here's a shot from directly in front. My sawhorse makes funny looking gear legs.
Some additional checking revealed that the rear spar bulkhead stubs sticking out of the fuselage were rubbing on the flanges of the tanks. I believe some minor trimming will alleviate this, and also correct the 1/32" forward sweep error. According to the plans, if it's within 1/2" it's close enough, but I don't want that rubbing anyway, so why not correct it?
I had to just walk around, take some pictures, and enjoy the moment. Passersby were really looking. Some stopped to comment. All in all, it was a great experience.
Once I realized that the wings have to come off for that minor trimming before going any further, there was no point moving on to consider the angle of incidence. So we just enjoyed the moment before taking it all apart and packing it back into the garage. I really enjoyed this time with Paul and the rest of my family, friends, and helpers. This will be repeated again soon to finish the sweep and incidence adjustments, and drill those holes in the rear spar.
339A
Well Known Member
Looking Good!
It's a great feeling to put it together for the first time and see the fruits of your labor. You are getting ever closer to a flying airplane. BTW I love how the anodized side rails show up in this pic, they just look so...
It's a great feeling to put it together for the first time and see the fruits of your labor. You are getting ever closer to a flying airplane.
BTW I love how the anodized side rails show up in this pic, they just look so... Here's the plane, sitting in my driveway:
