Category: General

I’m starting to go back and publish some some of my draft updates as well as finally getting around to updating my log to get more current. After moving the project to the hangar, I didn’t have as much motivation to update my log in the last six months. Between COVID, work, home, and trying to get time to work at the airport, publishing updates to the log fell to the bottom of my list.

Currently I feel like I’m 90% done and have 90% to go and slowly trying to chip away at the list of things that need to be done. Short re-cap until I finish publishing the back-dated updates. Cabin top was attached and windshield and back windows were installed. Project was moved to the airport successfully and I did the final assembly (hopefully) of the tail feathers. Doors and door windows are installed and working quite well. I’ll have to remove them one last time to paint the door interiors. Door locks and low-profile handles are installed and fully functional.

Engine was delivered and hung on the airplane. Still need to work with Aircraft Specialty to design the SDS FWF kit and get things wired up. I’m also working with Aircraft Specialty to cut my instrument panel. I’m looking to have a few posts regarding that effort soon. I also purchased most of my avionics as well as the last interior bits, so I think I’m done with almost all of my big ticket purchases. Just need time to get them all installed.

I’m also planning to attend an in-person avionics installation class in July as I’m getting closer to installing the instrument panel. I’ll post a bit of a debrief on that class as soon as I get back. Hopefully more regular updates to come.

Well, with everything going on at the moment, I lost track of time a bit. I just realized it was over 3 years ago that I took delivery of my Empennage kit and started this journey. I now have all of my “kits” delivered and have enough things to keep me busy for quite a while.

Looking back, it’s crazy to think that I’ve only been flying and building for a few years. I am a bit sad to say that I haven’t been in the air since I flew out to OSH Airventure. With no Sun N Fun and no Airventure this year, I’m gonna need to get some type of a fix once we all are allowed out of the house.

From a schedule perspective, I’m not sure if I’m technically “on-schedule” or not. I may have to go back and re-read some of my earlier posts. My unofficial goal was to finish one kit per year, so I guess I’m a little behind, but I don’t feel like I really that behind. I think I’m about a month or so out for starting the cabin top, which will be a huge milestone for me.

I now have a nice list of items that will need to be purchased (avionics, engine, accessories, etc) and I may have to do some adjustments now that I’m looking at the price tag. I have had some initial conversations with lenders regarding a loan for the engine / avionics, however we’ll have to see how the economy is doing in a few months. I’m also hearing the insurance for RV-10’s specifically is going up a lot. Not really happy to hear that, but not much I can do about that at this point.

In three years, I have met and chatted with a bunch of great builders. I was extremely nervous when I started my project. This was by far the largest project I have ever undertaken and there were so many things I didn’t know or fully understand. I’m extremely glad that I did and thankful for all the encouragement I have received. For anyone that is reading this blog and thinking about building themselves, I would absolutely encourage you do do it too. Vans has done a great job in making this a very easy to learn project and you really don’t need any specific knowledge to follow the plans. Plenty of good information available online should you have questions and the best builder support network possible.

Personally, I’m really proud of all the work I have done and looking forward to what the next year will bring. I just need to spend time updating my log and post some photos / videos.

Well, things have significantly changed in the last few days. We went from business as usual to lock yourselves in your houses mode (at least around the DC area currently). School closures and telework have completely changed the dynamic at home.

Down-side, I cannot get anyone over to help me build. I have been working around the fact that my bottom skin rivets are not completed for a while now, and that may continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.

Looking on the bright side, I have a a little more time in the afternoons to work in the garage! No hour long commute means I have the ability to jump into the garage right after work and catch a few hours of nice weather should I need to paint or just open the garage door to get some fresh air.

Currently the garage / workshop is a complete disaster which has been making me avoid taking the video camera out. I think tonight I’m going to make a serious effort to clean / organize so that I can start filming again. I’m also jumping around a LOT in the build which makes the updates bounce around all over the place. I have a lot of drafted articles that are waiting for photos, measurements, or “One more step” to be completed before I publish them. I am working hard and making progress, but it’s just not linear.

Bonus news, I just spoke with VANS, and my finish kit was released to the crating department and should be shipping soonish. They also told me the shipping quote was between $300 and $400, but may take a little longer to make it to me. I’m not in a rush as I’m still behind at the moment. (Also nor sure where I’m going to put it when it gets here!)

Hope to make significant progress and get more progress posted in the next few weeks.

I got an e-mail in June from EAA announcing a SportAir workshop in Chesapeake VA that would include the RV Composite class. I has already taken the composite class last year in Manassas, but was quite interested in taking this specific RV class.

There were 3 main projects that we did in the RV class. Just like the composite class I did last year, one of the first projects was the gear leg fairing. This helped demonstrate how to wax your part, laying fiberglass cloth, and using clay so you don’t have hard 90 degree transitions.

The second project that was the real goal of the class was the windshield transition. For this our instructor Scott discussed why you may want to deviate from the instructions and use an alternate fiberglass method. The class then went into the workshop and actually followed the steps discussed in the classroom to quickly create a fiberglass transition, including sanding and painting (primer). This method seemed to be much faster, just as strong if not stronger, and a heck of a lot less frustrating vs what is discussed in the plans.

The third project was the repair of a wheel pant that had damage. This was a very quick discussion and demonstration and was almost a distraction to the windshield project. Granted it was good practice for those that didn’t already take the other fiberglass class.

Scott also discussed the possibility of making a removable transition (similar to the metal transition that has been discussed on VAF), where an adhesive is used to attach the transition to the cowling and windshield while still providing strength. We also did some destructive testing on some parts where people couldn’t take them home with them. The bonding strength of this layup was impressive. The sheet metal did not separate from the fiberglass transition, and the windshield would break before the bond was broken. I was quite impressed. I may make a similar mockup and attempt the “removable” transition and some Silpruf or Silka to see what method I’ll eventually use for my windows and windshield. Granted I may just use the Lord adhesive and call it a day.

Overall I would highly recommend this class if anyone was interested. Very informative and Scott has a lot of knowledge he is more than willing to share with.