Jared came over helped me to rivet the bottom skins. We got the aft half of the outboard skins done.
Finished riveting the left inboard skin.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 5.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 275.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 427.0 |
The rest of my avionics order showed up this morning. I also received the GMU 22 mounting kit from Van’s. Apparently they don’t make one for the GMU 11 (which is what I bought). So I took a chance and ordered the one for the GMU 22 thinking I could cannibalize it and create something for the GMU 11. As it turns out, all I needed to do was to match drill four holes to the base of the GMU 11. So I drilled the holes, cut the top half of the mount per the plans, deburred and primed everything, riveted it together, and screwed on the GMU 11. Bayum!
Remy helped me rivet the inboard bottom skin to the right wing. It was challenging to reach the rivets along the aft spar. Remy and I took turns bucking and shooting. Nonetheless, tomorrow will definitely be an Advil day. I clecoed the outboard skin in place. That can be tomorrow’s challenge.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 3.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 270.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 422.0 |
Just got back from Oshkosh this afternoon. And couldn’t resist heading down to the shop to get something done. Amazing trip with up and back with Jared in his RV-14. Got to meet up with Wes and Joy and met Craig and his son. This was my first time at AirVenture. It was simply amazing but I’m exhausted. I think we averaged 7 or 8 miles walking each day. The airshows were amazing. Especially the night show. Best fireworks and pyrotechnics I’ve ever seen.
I cut the aluminum tubes from the pitot tube assembly using a tubing cutter so that they would clear the aileron push tube when installed in the wing. I added the AN hardware, flared the tubes, and screwed on the adapters. Then screwed the push-to-connect elbows on to the NPT side of the adapters with a bit of Loctite thread sealer. All ready to install.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 1.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 267.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 419.0 |
Drilled and tapped the aluminum tubes to accept the 1/4 threads of the rod end bearings. Assembled the AP pushrods. Fabricated the spacer for the roll servo.
Installed the roll servo into the right wing.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 2.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 266.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 418.0 |
I finished inventorying and stowing parts from the fuselage kit and avionics.
Crimped the pins onto the aileron trim wires, added a heat shrink tube, and inserted them into the molex connector.
I centered the set the aileron trim using a 9-volt battery to drive the servo. I set the assembly in place on the wing and set the aileron to the neutral position. Then I marked the point where the aileron trim arm rested over the push tube. I remove the push tube and located the tabs 6 inches either side of the center mark. I match drilled and blind riveted them to the push tube. I attached the springs to the tabs.
I clecoed the inboard bottom skins in place on the wings. Ready to rivet.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 4.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 264.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 416.0 |
Very busy inventorying all the new parts. I’ll complete the wings before I get started on the fuselage but want to get it all inventoried.
I also received my avionics order. Going with a Garmin G3X Touch system with a GTN 625 Navigator, a G5 for backup PFD, and a 200B com radio. I bought it from Gulf Coast Avionics.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 4.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 260.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 412.0 |
Assembled the aileron trim.
Assembled the aileron pushrods, torque tubes, and bell cranks.
Installed all the parts into the wings and aligned everything.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 7.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 256.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 408.0 |
Drilled holes for and installed angle of attack sensor tubing. Also ran wires for pitot heat.
Drilled the rivet holes for all the aileron push tube ends and prepared all the parts for priming.
Primed all the remaining wing parts.
Installed the aileron and flap gap fairings.
Assembled the ADAHRS mounting bracket.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 7.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 249.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 401.0 |
Tested the tanks using the test kit from Van’s. Attached a balloon to the fuel strainer to regulate the pressure and as a visual indicator that the tank was pressurized. Used a spray bottle with soapy water to spray down the tank to find any leaks. No leaks found!
I attached the tanks to the wings but had to remove them because the tank skin overlapped the outboard leading edge skin by a few thousandths. I used a file to adjust the edge of the skin. I final-attached the tanks to the wings with AN3 bolts, torqued them to spec and marked them with torque seal. I got about half way through putting all the screws in. I’ll have to finish those up next week when I get back from Florida.
I’m definitely in the home stretch with the wings. Looking forward to getting everything buttoned up next weekend.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 3.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 242.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 394.0 |
Cut, deburred, dimpled, and scuffed all the remaining wing parts to prep for priming. This included the aileron trim, the aileron push tubes, the inspection covers, and the wing tip ribs.
Fabricated a bracket to secure the pitot mounting bracket to the wing rib.Drilled the holes in the mounting bracket to match the holes in the rib. Then match drilled the new rib bracket to the mounting bracket and the rib. Match drilled everything to the skin and cut out the hole for the pitot mast using 1/2″ drill, Dremel, files, and sand paper. Pleased with how everything came out. Should be nice and secure once everything is riveted together.
Dimpled and scuffed the skins. Everything is ready for primer and assembly.
Ordered avionics and hoping to get the A/P servo, pitot tube, and magnetometer installed before closing up the wings. I also ordered tubing for the AOA line and wire for the pitot heat. Hopefully I’ll have everything and be able to get the wings buttoned up next week.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 6.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 239.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 391.0 |
Ron's RV-14A Build Log 