All - I'd like a little help here. I'm installing the steps on my RV-9A and started tightening the bolt that goes through the UHMW plastic block and the 1 1/2" dia steel tube on the step assembly. I noticed that the sides of the plastic block are getting "sucked in" resulting in a concave surface lo...

Dave -

Sorry - I should have looked at your pics closer before I replied.
I see you have the notches cut out.

Also, it's probably obvious - but don't forget to install the nut plates before you rivet the gussets in place.

Lorin

Dave -

That gusset gets a notch cut in it (and the corner cut off).
See drawing 23 (for a 9 / 9A).

Good luck! Lorin

Joe - I built a rigid (non-moveable) wing frame for my 9A with 4x4 vertical posts anchored to the floor and ceiling of my garage. This worked well - specifically when I had to support the center of the rear spar to prevent the assembly from sagging. Chest height worked great. My frame held both wing...

All - I understand that there can only be 1 repairman certificate issued per aircraft. So if you have multiple builders working on one plane - I suggest you discuss who should apply for the certificate. In my case - I'm building an RV-9A... with my Dad helping out whenever he can. Since it's likely ...

Very nice Chad!!
You're going to have a great bird when you're done!

Lorin D

Woo Hoo!!
Congrats Chad....

Did it ever cross your mind to not start it... start it.. not start it...
Wait ... no... I can't decide.....


Lorin D
RV-9A (Fuselage)

WOO HOO!!
& Congrats!

Lorin D
(still building.. but inspired...)

Good advice guys... BTW - I did buy a new skin. For me - The "back of my mind concern" when flying long X-country flights with family or friends; and the relative difficulty in fixing it later (should the crack progress beyond the drill stop and likely end up in the side step hole under the step pla...

Welcome to the group!! I think you'll like it here. I'm certaininly not an expert on air compressors - but here are few thoughts (others feel free to comment or disagree): 1. The most important thing to me was to avoid a small tank (must be larger than 5 gallons) - so the compressor would not keep c...

CRUD!! I tried to roll the 1st skin. Got everything clamped nice & tight. Pushed with one hand and rolled the other with the vise grips. Everything seemed to go well until I removed all the angles - and saw a 1/4 crack at the tight bend corner. :cry: In case anyone is wondering a new forward skin fr...

Thanks Spike...

I guess as CJ used to say - "nothing to it.. but to do it...."

Lorin

Sorry I wasn't clear. Where the bottom of the forward side skin covers the aft tailcone - we are supposed to make a conical bend/roll. Here's how Smitty did his: http://www.smittysrv.com/more_stuff.asp?ID=573 Here's what I'm thinking... In addition to clamping the angle to the table - I was also goi...

All the above (below?)

Lorin D
N194LD reserved
RV 9A - Standard Build (Fuselage)

OK - so you can call me paranoid - but I've been stressing over this for a few days. Are there any lessons learned or "best practices" on how to roll the lower "center section to aft fuselage assembly" on the lower 9A side skins? I looked at the pics at the end of Vans manual and saw they filleted t...

CD - FYI - On my RV-9A, the outboard edge of the wing skins extend beyond the last wing rib (acts as a flange for joining the wing tips). This means the short piece of angle that is clecoed to the outboard rib (and bolted to the jig) should have a long enough horizontal leg to support the wing/rib a...

I looked at the plans 20 times too.. and then a few builders logs. In the end it seemed that the orienetation really didn't matter. So, I purposely decided to put the flush side forward to keep the firewall as smooth as possible. We'll see if it makes a difference. Lorin D. RV-9A (SB Fuse) N194LD re...

Tom -
Never heard of it.
And, it's a long shot, but a quick Google of "ERF" & "Whitney" brought this up....

http://www.jcwhitney.com/ERF-MANIFOLD-P ... _10101.jcw

Does that sound familiar??

Lorin
RV-9A (SB Fuse)
N194LD reserved

Bruce - Looks great!!

Just a word of caution for others though.. annodizing aluminum affects the fatique life (and not in a good way)!
Don't even consider it for stressed parts.

Here's the tragic example of what can happen:
http://www.experimentalhelo.com/Anodizing&Fatigue.pdf

Lorin D

Mike - Looks great!!
Lorin D.