I just received my wing kit and this discussion has raised a question I had not considered. What additional items do I need to order for the wings to install as I build. I plan on installing an auto pilot. When do I purchase it? What other items or supplies should I have on hand that are not supplied with the wing kit that I will need to install? Wires, lights, ????
Any suggestions. I am just starting to inventory the wings.
Ive got the wings, now what do I need?
Autopilot servos are easier to install while the wings are being constructed, though they can be retrofit. If you are planning one from the start, get it now. There's not really a need to buy lighting and wiring at this point, but make sure you run the conduit to do so before closing the bottom wing skins. The only other thing is the pitot stuff. If you are going with Van's supplied AL tubing, you have the stuff, but if you go with SafeAir, you need to buy that. You also need a pitot tube, unless you plan to make one yourself with the tubing provided. Oh, angle of attack plumbing is probably easier done before they are closed up as well if you are going to do that.
That's all I can think of...
That's all I can think of...
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Spike
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I split this off into its own topic so that it gets the appropriate traffic...
As for the autopilot, that depends if they are installed in the wings. Some of the autopilot servos are installed in the fuse.
As for the autopilot, that depends if they are installed in the wings. Some of the autopilot servos are installed in the fuse.
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Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
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RV7Factory
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On the autopilot stuff...
A different point of view...
There are two main choices for autopilots, TruTrak and Trio. If you go with TruTrak, they sell mounting brakets that can be bought reasonably adn installed now without the servo. If you decide to go with Trio, an option is to use the SafeAir1 install kit. Tony at SafeAir1, with whom I talked to about this very subject two weeks ago, recommends waiting until the very end to buy the mounting kit and servo. It can be added at any time and there is no point in dropping a bunch of $ now for something that will just sit around.
Just my $.02.
There are two main choices for autopilots, TruTrak and Trio. If you go with TruTrak, they sell mounting brakets that can be bought reasonably adn installed now without the servo. If you decide to go with Trio, an option is to use the SafeAir1 install kit. Tony at SafeAir1, with whom I talked to about this very subject two weeks ago, recommends waiting until the very end to buy the mounting kit and servo. It can be added at any time and there is no point in dropping a bunch of $ now for something that will just sit around.
Just my $.02.
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captain_john
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Womack2005
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cnpeters
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I just finished one wing and will start the right - I decided to leave the lower skins just clecoed for now, and will go back later and final rivet them when I have decided on the autopilot servo, pitot system, and lighting arrangments. So, build your wings, but you don't have to decide now. Even leaving the lower skins clecoed for awhile will still have the wing 95% complete. Additional items include more clecoes - I bought 200 more #40's above the Avery kit #, and would likely need even more if I built both wings together.
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captain_john
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