At the half way point of my Phase One testing.
Taking a break to work on installation of the wheel pants.

The only squawk worth mentioning so far was the replacement of the mechanical fuel pump at 5 hours due to it leaking oil at the gaskets.
New pump has been dry and working great since.

I'm just coming up on 20 of my 40 hours.

I don't have to bother with heating the inside of the cockpit...

...I installed heated seats instead !

OOOps, ok I could be wrong on who sells it, but at least we all like the vise-grip ones better than the hockey puck one.

Not sure which tool you are using to do this, but I highly recommend the vise grip edge roller from Avery Tools as the way to go.

Mike, I'll bet if you add the cylinder base bands those CHT's will be closer to the oil temps and thus less chance of condensation in the engine. Thanks for posting the remote web link, I Love that idea from a saving electricity stand point as well. No need to leave it on overnight if you can turn i...

My first airplane was a Grumman TR2, and I put a Reiff system on it.
It worked great and I usually left it plugged in the night before.

I would urge you to get the cylinder bands as well as the sump heater.
You get a nice even heating of the entire engine and reduce condensation that way.

That should work out great Chad, nice going on making your own .

That's a great pic of your accomplishment ! Congrats !

Keep at it, and you will be flying it before you know it .

The FBO that I work part time at has one and he loves it too.

After reading the thread, I'd suggest waiting until you get to the airport.
It sounds like you don't have anywhere to do it outside thats level, so just wait, it won't eat up that much extra time doing it in the hangar and it will be much easier there.

Brian,

Sounds like a great day for you to fly and I think you must be seriously considering it by your comments.

Hope you do get to go airborne and it's a safe and very Grinful flight.

Let us know how it went.

When you put it that way ...:eek: Guess that I wasn't think of that as building as much as it was programming :mrgreen: :mrgreen: I like your analogy, it is more like programming after the build when they come out. LOL. The most you are going to get to program a newborn is DOS. "Diaper Operating Sy...

Actually both of the projects are going quite well. Pretty sad though that it takes less time to build a human being than it takes to build a plane. This (rv) project is going to drive me into the ground... ugg What makes you think your done building the human after 9 months.. :wink: More like 18 y...

Congrats Brian for your RV finally getting the pink slip! I can't wait to hear of its first flight! I couldn't help but laugh a little at the subject of this thread. Everyone who has "finished" an RV really knows it is never really finished! Aint that the truth brotha ! I've got about 6 hours now a...

I think you should have an artist paint that on the bottom of your plane.
Or maybe on the vertical stab/rudder would work too.

Every phase one plane has issues to cure. Some worse than others. Back when you built them, did you "air" leak test them ? If so, did it hold pressure for several days ? No fuel leaks yet for me <crossing fingers on that one> but I have had a few squawks to remedy. 1. High Fuel pressure. (Still work...

Why bother waiting for a FSDO guy, go get an ABDAR to inspect it.
Sure, it will cost you some money, but at least they come when you want them to. Find someone who knows RV's if you can. I'm sure there's one someone can recommend in your area.

Looks like a great group of close friends came up big for you and made it a smooth, safe, and rather quick move.

Now that it's at the airport though, I suspect you'll be away from home more often .

Spike wrote:Sweet Dude! Im proud of ya!

Spike

Thanks Dude. Or should I say "Thanks Dad" .
Congrats on the new builders helper on the way.

It may slow you down, but don't let it stop you from finishing that 7 of yours.