What's up folks?

[Brantel]

What's up fellow Rivetbangers? In my case I downgraded to a rivet puller. LOL!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday season and wishing you all a safe and prosperous new year!

Bob's moving, Chad is selling his boat, I am over a year out of selling my RV-7 and building a 12, CJ is AWOL, Mike bailed on Osh this year, Van's files for Chapter 11..... Whew! What am I missing?


Osh is going to feel different in 2024 for sure!

[bruceh]

I pop in here occasionally to see the posts.

I am certainly keeping busy in the RV world. My RV-9A is pushing 1140 hours since the build completed in 2014.I'm contemplating a panel upgrade to put in an IFR GPS so I can get my Instrument rating. Took the instrument and commercial ground school night classes right as COVID hit, then never started the flight school part. I should have bought the avionics, since now they are even more outrageously expensive. I've got a CFII lined up to start on the flight training next month, but I also need to upgrade the airplane soon.

I'm helping with several other RV projects now as a Tech Counselor and newly minted A&P mechanic. I spent the last 3 years going to night school for the A&P. One RV-10 project got caught up in the LCP fiasco and refused delivery of the QB wings. The other project I worked on (RV-14A) also got caught up with the QB fuselage being refused for LCP issues. Now both of these are trying to figure out how to proceed and at what cost. I might be building some slow build RV-14 wings next year if we can get the kit. In the mean time I've done some maintenance and repair jobs on a Bonanza, Baron, RV-4 and RV-10. Next month I'm scheduled to perform an annual inspection on yet another RV-10.

So much for life slowing down in retirement!

[A2022]

hey, it's really nice to have some company here. it's getting lonely for me. this site has such great potential and owned by a good and relaxed RV supporter.

I've ordered some parts thru Van's recently and they have all been shipped. prices are now higher than other places, but I didn't care. we need them to survive. plus, I know that I will get the correct part.

Bruce, it seems to me you would be a good source for pre-buys. you made a good build and continue to educate yourself and are active with builds and maintenance.

[bruceh]

Yes, I've been doing pre-buys for a couple of years now. I've done an RV-9A, RV-14A, RV-6, RV-4 and RV-7 (partial kit). You certainly come across some interesting things doing the pre-buys...

I've also been fixing lots of leaky RV fuel tanks. I've got one from an RV-10 currently in my hangar that is ready to get pressure tested now that it is all back together. I'm not impressed at all with Van's QB fuel tanks. Some are horrifically bad inside.

[A2022]

You certainly come across some interesting things doing the pre-buys...

yeah, that comment made me laugh out loud.

I'm not impressed at all with Van's QB fuel tanks. Some are horrifically bad inside.

I don't doubt that. the job is probably given to lowest man on the rung. it's a hidden area. not able to inspect quality easily but is a real pain if it's not right.

[rockwoodrv9a]

It is good to hear from you guys.
Bruce - I have given your name to a couple guys looking for tank repairs and pre buys. I hope they contacted you.

I having a good time flying out here in the coldest place on earth. I have 230 hours on my plane now. 190 of that are my hours! Im still trying to figure out a leaky cabin and get more heat but wiring up the seat heaters has helped a bit.

Hope we all have a great 2024 and get lots of fun flying in.

[painless]

Still flying my 6A. Got my tailwheel endorsement this fall in a Cub. Knee deep in completing my Hatz Classic. Hope to have it at the Hatz flyin in Brodhead WI the weekend before OSH, then fly it into Airventure with my eyes closed so I don’t see all the traffic

[A2022]

a Hatz Classic with a radial no less. more rounded fuse than the CB-1. she's a beauty and nice colors. just Wow!

*********

edit: even better when the photo is enlarged and full screen! I just keep staring at it.

[painless]

a Hatz Classic with a radial no less. more rounded fuse than the CB-1. she's a beauty and nice colors. just Wow!

*********

edit: even better when the photo is enlarged and full screen! I just keep staring at it.

Thanks. Here’s another shot. Ailerons and slave struts aren’t hooked up or installed, and no javelins yet.

[LCDR Fitz]

Hello all,

New to the site. Been on the other site till it went a little ( ok a lot) too clickish. Gonna try and post a pic on this first attempt. Looks in the preview like it might work. Live in NW Ohio where today it is a balmy 15 on the way up to 22. The weather up here was great in late December as this pic below was taken on the way to the 100 dollar hamburger. My RV has been flying since I finished it in 2011. Is IFR with duel Dynon, Garmin 175, and has a smoke system. Will post a pic of the panel shortly. To all those who are building and struggling through the mess of the past few months hang in there if you can. These are time machines and you will love flying around the country and of course gong to Oshkosh in. Take care everyone and blue skies

Tim Fitzpatrick
LCDR (Ret)

[LCDR Fitz]

Panel on my RV. Rebuilt it last winter. Love this baby. Fra better then the 737-300 I fly for cargo at work

[A2022]

Panel on my RV. Rebuilt it last winter. Love this baby. Fra better then the 737-300 I fly for cargo at work

everything in there but the kitchen sink. nice packaging.

one thing good about this site is there are no advertising banners in your face.

[A2022]

a Hatz Classic with a radial no less. more rounded fuse than the CB-1. she's a beauty and nice colors. just Wow!

*********

edit: even better when the photo is enlarged and full screen! I just keep staring at it.

Thanks. Here’s another shot. Ailerons and slave struts aren’t hooked up or installed, and no javelins yet.

I can't believe the high-quality finish on the wings. a real head turner. it's a trophy winner for sure.

edit: can't stop looking at this one.

[rockwoodrv9a]

That really is a pretty plane. I would like more info on the engine. Looks like a radial but thin?
If you are ever up into Michigan around Mason - KTEW let me know. I have a 9A up here and looking for a bit of good weather to fly!! It has been crap here since before Christmas.

[painless]

That really is a pretty plane. I would like more info on the engine. Looks like a radial but thin?
If you are ever up into Michigan around Mason - KTEW let me know. I have a 9A up here and looking for a bit of good weather to fly!! It has been crap here since before Christmas.

Thanks. It’s a Rotec R3600 150hp. Might have the illusion of being thin because of the speed ring. Also, it’s a dry sump engine so the oil tank is mounted separately. In this cast on top, at the firewall. You can see the fill cap for it in the pics. If the stars align I hope to have it both at the Hatz Biplane Association flyin at Brodhead WI and Airventure this summer. Lots has to happen tho….

I’m actually based at KMNM, Menominee MI up in da UP hey.

[painless]

a Hatz Classic with a radial no less. more rounded fuse than the CB-1. she's a beauty and nice colors. just Wow!

*********

edit: even better when the photo is enlarged and full screen! I just keep staring at it.

Thanks. Here’s another shot. Ailerons and slave struts aren’t hooked up or installed, and no javelins yet.

I can't believe the high-quality finish on the wings. a real head turner. it's a trophy winner for sure.

edit: can't stop looking at this one.

Thanks again. Nothing real fancy with the finish. Might be the Angle of the pic. It’s just polytone, but I did wax it to bring out a tad more shine. Nothing like the finish you get with aerothane. I wanted mine to have a ‘30’s flair and not fill in the covering weave to the point where it looks like it’s covered in metal.

Award winner? Not so sure….lots of quality work out there that surpasses mine. Might be in the running for the “Bless his heart for trying “ Lindy tho….