Air Prayer

Well the boxes finally showed up.  They were LARGE.  Here are a couple of pictures of what we have so far:

It’s a very big box.  The very long box is right behind it.

My A#1 helper – and the whole reason I’m building another plane.  My last hurrah with my son.

Passenger compartment.  It’s powerder-coated chromoly steel tubing.  This is looking from the front left to the rear right.

This is the left gear leg socket.  Mmmm… powder-coat-alicious.

One of the molded plastic fuel tanks.

This is the dacron covering material.  Precolored.  No painting necessary.   The black you see isn’t a shadow, it’s one of the black stripes.

Inventory fun for everyone!

Well there you have it.  The first pictures of my new aircraft project.  I’ll post some updates as soon as I’m doing something building related.  For the next week or so I’ll be doing an inventory.

Well, aside from the economy that is. EAA has come out with some great resources for homebuilders that were not available when I was building my RV-4. Not only are the kits easier to put together but the resources are wonderful. EAA is now hosting a website for homebuilders with informative videos. Everything from AN hardware basics to hose fabrication, nicopress fitting fabrication, propeller repair, tube and fabric tips, and wood and composite construction tips. Here is a detailed video on changing oil filters:

For more of these great videos click here: Hints for Homebuilders

The RV-7 is officially gone.  A gentleman from southern California bought it and carted it off just yesterday.  What a relief.  So this officially ends my RV-7 log. 

Now all I have to do is invest the money in making the RV-4 presentable and put it up for sale.  Then the exercise will be how to keep involved in aviation while staying within the family budget.  It’s a challenge but I’ve always been up for a good challenge.

Life has been a litte intense lately so I thought I’d write on a lighter topic.

I have an offer on the RV-7 kit.  The gentleman should be here in a few days with a cashier’s check in hand to pick up the kit.  I am sad to leave the world of Van’s aircraft because I’ve met a lot of really great people along the way.  But in a way I’m excited to enter a new phase of my aviation avocation.  There are new people to meet in this world too.

I’ve enjoyed planning the new aircraft and there are new challenges this time around.  On the other two airplanes the challenge was to incorporate the most state-of-the-art components I could find.  The challeng this time around is to keep costs to a minimum.  This is actually a fun challenge; more an exercise in in what I can do without.  It’s actually been very good for me.  It’s a skill that can help in all other facets of my life.

Of course there is one more step to take before I can get going on the new airplane.  I have to sell the RV-4.  That will be the next big challenge.  I’ll document the preparations and sale in future posts.

I finally found time to work on the RV-7. Between family, church, and work I have had very little free time. To date I’ve prepped both spars, assembled the skeleton of the left wing and begun to test fit the top inboard and outboard wing skins. This kit is incredible. When I compare the amount of work to get my RV-4 wings to this stage and what I’ve done so far it’s…incredible.

I still have to drill out and redrive some rivets on the right rear wing spar. Once that is done I will begin fitting the wing skins on the right wing. If I were to work on this project every day, these wings would be complete by summer. They go together just that fast. We’ll have to see how much time I actually have to devote to it.

To progress beyond the wing stage I will have to sell my RV-4. Before I do that I will need finish out all the minor squawks that I never have completed. I will devote some time during the annual condition inspection to do this. I’m hoping to paint it just before I sell it. But that will be dictated by finances.

Putting main top skins on.  Held on by clecos.

Bottom of wing view showing ribs.

Obligatory “ribs disappear into infinity” photo.  Everyone does them so here’s mine.