Don Hall

The target

N517DG

Never heard of an RV-7?

It is an all-aluminum, 2 seat experimental homebuilt aircraft.  It is capable of speeds over 200mph, and it can perform aerobatic maneuvers.  It can't haul my whole family with just two seats, but these planes can be respectably comfortable, cross-country, and IFR capable machines. 

They are extremely popular and common in the homebuilt aircraft market.  Translation: mature kit, lots of support during construction, lots of camaraderie during and after construction.

now under construction:    Wrap Up!

the latest   as of 12/01/2008

I'm so ready to push this over the finish line.  I'm getting there, but they don't call this the "last 1000 things" for nothing.  At this point, I'm doing work that is all over the place, pulling things together.  I could keep adding a few photos to finishing or engine or fuse or ...  But instead, we'll just lump what's left into "wrap up".

now under construction:    Firewall Forward

the latest   as of 12/01/2008

Working on the last few things before first engine start.  Need to bleed brakes and finalize the fab intake, plus add a few safety wires here and there.

Engine details:

• Aerosport power IO-360, 180HP
• 8.5:1 compression, vertical induction, parallel valve.
• port and flow matched

• Slick mag and lightspeed w/direct crank.

• McCauley prop governer (came with fwf kit)

• Precision  Air fuel injection

• Plane Power primary alt

• B&C SD8 backup alt

• Skytec starter

Ö Smoke System

October 2007 - April 2008

I'll call this done.  At least for now.  I still need to install the injectors on the exhaust, but as I don't have exhaust pipes installed yet, I can't do this yet.  Other than that, it's ready to go.  Theoretically, I could fill the tank with smoke and watch it drip out on the floor in front of the firewall.

This is not part of the regular Van's kit.  I'm using a system from smokingairplanes.com.  John Manduco, ower, was quite helpful and provides a great kit.  His kit is generic to any experimental airplane, so the builder has to decide on tank location and tube/wire runs for the particular airplane.  I've documented my -7 installation for his kit.

My installation will be unique in that I'm installing an external filler. 

now under construction:    finishing

the latest as of 12/01/2008

I waited patiently till summer to redo the canopy.  On the second go-round, I went with Sikaflex instead of screws for holding the canopy in place, and it was a much better result and effort.  Finishing is probably never done, at least until it's painted.  I still have to do fairings for the gear legs.

Ö   panel and wiring

December 2007 - June 2008

I have to declare this done.  All the wiring in the fuse is done.  Most of it even works.  I still have a number of finishing things that will have to be done later, but I'll cast those <todo>'s under "wrap-up" or other such category for all the "1001 little things' that happen near the end.

As of June 2008, the panel is back on the shelf until I am done with the canopy. Then I'll reinstall it and start to finalize some of the interior. There are only two issues with the panel at this point, afaik: lighting and wx do not work. Everything else is working as far as can be tested to this point.

Ö  fuselage

 April 16, 2006 - Septemeber 19, 2007

Fuse work as per fuse kit is done.  There is still work remaining on the fuse, but it happens at later stages in wiring and other finishing work.  The wings are back on the crate and won't be touched much until it's time to go to the airport.

Ö wings

August 12, 2005 - March 7, 2006

I must admit to a feeling of pride having finished the wings. I think we did a decent job.  I still have a few things I can do to the wings, but construction is done. They be sitting in the wing cart waiting for a fuselage for a while.

Ö empennage

 May3, 2005 - July 10, 2005

It took just under two months to build the tail, then another couple of weeks to do fiddle with fiberglass and make sure everything lined up on the hinges.  I'm thankful that it looks like I've got a few weeks or more of a breather as the slow-build wing kit has not yet arrived.

A flock of RV's, courtesy of www.mstewart.net

• Dan Checkoway's RV-7 Project - Dan, your website is awesome.  I bet you've never heard that before.

• RedStar Pilots.  The CJ6\YAK and RV crowds have a lot in common.  I've had the good fortune to get some pilot time in Jay Land's Nanchang CJ6A.

• Stoney Point field website - This is a great little private airstrip that has given me the opportunity to meet some great people and general bad influences. 

• Me, earning my multi-engine rating....

• pda quick links - for use from my phone.

• Options and Vender Reference - Memory aid for parts and paints that went into my plane...

• Land Aero Sports - Alex Land and his father are close friends.  Alex is off to a great start in his aerobatic career.  Check this site for the latest adventures.

• Stoney Point weather - Jay Land's website with the weather at Stoney and some other interesting links. The main views on this site are phone friendly, if your phone has net access.

• www.mstewart.net - I happen to work with one of the biggest RV grinning nuts around.  Mike is builder\pilot for an RV6A, with a newly built and flying Super8 .  He's actively involved in the RV community, including formation flying, pancake breakfasting, rvacationing, and helping other builders.  I feel priveleged to have him around to get me going and serve as a counselor for this project.