Section: 38

Hours: 2

I started transition training with Stan Lawrence in his beautiful RV-14 with IO-360 fixed pitch prop and Advanced Flight Systems / Dynon panel. My RV14 has IO-390 with variable pitch prop and Garmin, but the airframes are the same. Hopefully skills learned will apply to both airplanes. The 14 is a dream to fly- great visibility, great performance, coordinated controls and light touch.

The good folks at Vans kitted up all the parts for rebuilding the canopy. The crate arrived this afternoon and I had Woody give it a good inspection before signing off on delivery. Unfortunately only 1 of the hinge hanger pieces arrived, the other one is back ordered.

 Section:43

Hours:3

I tensioned the alternator belt and safety wired the alternator bracket.

 Section: 41

Hours: 6

I formed the leading edge curve for the wing root cover plates and attached them to the wing. I clamped a PVC pipe in my vise and rolled the skins over the pipe to set the curvature needed.

Section: 41

Hours: 6

Today I hooked up the ailerons, flaps, fuel connection and wing wiring.

The tubing run from the wing tank to the fuselage were fabricated by Aircraft Specialty and fit very well.

Nav lights work!

Flap, aileron and wing tip alignment after adjusting pushrod lengths.

 

 Section: 41

Hours: 7

I got my friend Kurt to help mount the wings to the fuselage. Between the 2 of us we were able to position each wing and insert the drift pins. I had placed the bolts in the freezer over night and I was able to drive them in using a 2 foot long 1 x 2 board and hammer.

After torquing the wing bolts I hung the flaps.

 Section:

Hours: 2

I went back to the airport this morning to assess the damage to the canopy. The frame crumpled in a couple places and the brass bushings in the hinge hanger got bent up and marred. After consulting with Vans and several other people I have decided to rebuilt the frame. I will be able to reuse the plexiglass but the rest will be replaced.

 Section:

Hours: 6

Airport day has finally arrived! I roped the fuselage to my car and with the help of my neighbor we towed it up to the court. I found a local car transportation company that was willing to transport my fuselage to the airport. They arrived on time and loaded and secured the fuselage. We took back roads for the 24 mile drive to the airport.

Here we are in the hanger. Unfortunately, about 3/4ths of the way to the airport a car passed us going the opposite direction at a high speed and the resulting gust blew open the canopy and damaged the canopy frame and hinges. I hadn't completely latched the canopy and the gust was enough to pop it up.