Author Archives: admin

About admin

Computer geek since we programmed on cards. My first real computer was an Apple II+ and IBM 4341's (a pair of them)

Turtle Deck is Complete!

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Finally!  It is starting to look more like a plane than a canoe. *sigh* Lots of small stuff and you see no change. Do a little BIG stuff and it looks like real progress.  So, top skin is on, and parking brake valve is back.

Fuselage under construction

Fuselage under construction

We had a visit from the man who will be giving us the pink slip tonight. I wanted him to see how we are working, and get an idea what to expect when we are done.

I think it is VERY worthwhile to have professional eyes have a look at the project every once in awhile.  We have an A&P/IA wander by. The local EAA guru has been by, and now the future DAR has had a look.  We do careful work, but extra looks are always welcome.

When getting advice from more than professionals (friends, relatives, other builders, etc.) it is a good idea to listen and evaluate. There are a ton of OWT, SB, and OCITIHIOTI out there that will need to be evaluated. Always look for stuff in writing before you believe everything you hear.

 

OWT: Old wives Tales

SB: Superstitious behavior

OCITIHIOTI: “Of course it’s true, I heard it on the Internet”

Dkb

 

Avionics tray…

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I had an avionics tray in my Skyhawk, and we had a lot of stuff to put there.  As electronics got more modern, and smaller, the tray was almost empty. Now the pendulum is swinging the other way again with EFIS and Radio avionics going remote.  Add a tray. Pretty light, and leaves more room at the panel.

 

avonics tray

I have an inspection this week, so I’m trying to be real careful to get the shop clean.  I also got my parking brake valve back so that will go in next week-end.

The battle of the fuel pump(s) is/are over!

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I want to use mogas in my plane.

Mogas is getting up to 10% alcohol in it, and that is not going away. Now in California, you can no longer get gas without alcohol at any regular gas station. So a good solution is to use electric only fuel system that pushes fuel instead of trying to pull it.

No worries about vapor lock, and no worries about the effects of alcohol on rubber parts in manual pumps! Two pumps with two independent switches would eliminate the need for a valve. Fuel pump placement at the root of the wing would eliminate considerable plumbing inside the cockpit.  I talked with lots of folks about the idea. Many support it, and in fact fly with it today. Many poopoo’d the idea as too risky. What if this and that and that happen???

Well, after considerable thought, and the ringing of my motto in my head: “What would Cessna do?” I decided to wimp out and stay with the plans.  Keep the valve, one electric pump and one engine driven pump.

Fuel pump

Fuel pump

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, this is an experimental  aircraft, but I’m not an engineer.  Also, when you go off plans (which i have done once or twice) you add many hours to the process.  So, I’ll live with the current plan, and maybe do some experimentation later.

Rear Turtle Desk is ON!

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We have been making quite a bit of progress.  Fuel pump is in, brake lines are inside, wiring movers forward, and the rear turtle desk is now riveted on.  we wanted to be sure we did not have any more wiring to do before installing that. That area is now a tight fit if we need changes.  Also, the seat belt shoulder harness restraint cables are in!

RV-9A top deck

Many small tasks make it look like we have had little progress, but when you get a big piece on, it looks like you did a TON of work.  Remember, the small stuff is important too.

The brake valve had to go back because the bottom fitting threads were wonky (an advanced aviation term) and will get a new fitting.  I bought EZ Lube for all pipe thread fittings on brakes and fuel lines.

 

 

Brakes!

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Well, we went off-plans (a rare thing for us) and added a parking brake. We used a Matco valve and a friend showed how he mounted his. Took a couple of extra work days to get everything right, but things are working out OK.

Parking brake valve and mounting plate

Matco parking brake and custom bracket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing I REALLY LOVE about Van’s aircraft is that they work hard to get a safe, secure, easy to complete plane in the air while controlling costs. I get to make some decisions along the way if I was to add a little more. For example the brake lines in the cockpit. They are fully functional, and very low cost. BUT having worked on this before, I realized I wanted to spend a few extra bucks on different lines and hoses. My choice. And adding the parking brake? My choice. If you did a heads down, by the book build, you would have a safe plane that did wonderful things. Add a few touches and you will have a plane you built and will be proud of.

What I did on my Summer Vacation…

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So, check out the new photos for what Tom and I have been doing this summer.  We got wire, floors, seat, brake lines, and lots of small stuff done.

Dave and the RV-9A fuselage

Summer fuselage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out:

Fuselage 2

in the pictures section for a bunch of new photos.

So, the tail is done, wings are done, the flight surfaces are done, and we are well along on the fuselage. we’re gonna need a motor soon.  O-320 Dynafocal mount. Got a spare you don’t need?

New Blog Tool!

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I have installed a new version of Window’s live Writer for editing blogs, and I’m interested in seeing how this is going to work.

Finally, I’ll get back to keeping my site up to date. Tom and I have made a TON of progress that is not posted yet, but will be if this new editor is as easy and they say.

DSCN0168

(No, this is NOT an RV9A)

More Pics!

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Forward fuselage with clecos

Forward Fuse

Finally, I’ve added the pictures of the fuselage completed to date. Go to the Pictures menu above and choose “Fuselage”

We have actually made quite a bit of progress, and this coming Superbowl Sunday will be our 4 year anniversary.

So, all flight surfaces are completed. Wings and tanks are done. We are actively looking for a Lycoming O-320 E2D or E3D or ?

I had a nice chance at an O-320 H2AD but too many changes are required to make that fit under the cowl I have. Oh well.

Dkb

A step back…

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Saturday was a day that appeared to be a step backwards. Going from something that looks like an airplane to a stack of aluminum sheet.

Building a plane is made up of the three D’s: Drill, Deburr and Dimple. We have completed the forward skin drilling and making of ribs, longerons and brackets.

Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was now time to dissassemble for deburring and dimpling.  So, what looked kinda like an airplane, now once again looks like a pile of aluminum.

After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hmmmm… Maybe we need to have a Cleco party?  Sounds like fun!  Gotta borrow a BBQ, and do a little planning.

 

More later.