983RV Life

Blog

  • Mid Elevator Push Rods Cut & 3D Modeling

    I started working on the mid elevator pushrods by getting them cut. I the went to Glen’s page and he didn’t have models already made for these two pushrods so I made my own. Luckily it didn’t take too long but the measurements I was getting from the print out were off by an about .015 of an inch. So I had to print them both twice but I finally got it done. I’ll get the drilling done sometime soon but tomorrow is going to be busy with cleaning the church, going to the movies with the family, and then stake conference for church.

    Here are the models if you need to reference them:
    – 1 1/8″ Pipe 6 Sided Drill Template
    – 1 1/2″ Pipe 8 Sided Drill Template

  • Fuel Lines Installed & Rubber Components

    I got all of the fuel lines installed that I can until the fuel pump and filter and flow meter come in. I also got the rubber bushing installed for the exterior penetration point for the fuel lines and the mounting brackets for the pump and filter. Took quite a bit of time to get fasteners installed due to their location and angle but it is done.

    • Hard lines secured beneath seats
    • Hard lines installed to fuel selector
    • Exterior protrusion that will be finished later
    • Rubber grommets on brackets

  • Fuel Selector Installed & Other AN Fittings

    I didn’t spend a ton of time on the plane today as I went to visit some members in distress in our ward boundaries. But I did get the fuel selector installed as well as the firewall and under the seat fittings. The rest just requires me cutting, bending, and flaring fuel line. I ordered the fuel pump, filter, and flow meter the other day so that will hopefully be in here in a few weeks which will allow me to finish this section later on.

  • Access Panel Section Complete!

    I don’t have all of the access panels installed as I still need to do work behind them, but they are all done as of today. I need to start getting the fuel system plumbed up and then I need to check with Vans to see if my backordered aluminum tubing is coming anytime soon as that is needed to finish the elevator actuation controls that go in the central channel. Its coming together though!

  • Tunnel Covers Prepped for Primer

    I got all of the parts ready for priming for the central tunnel. Luckily the final sized holes helped speed this up quite a bit

  • Baggage Door Installed!

    This actually wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. I just got Brendon to do the drilling while I held things in place with tape, clecos, etc. The hardest part was getting the rivets at the top that were buried in the rear seat support. Those were tough little boogers. I malformed one of them but there is no way I would be able to get that rivet out properly so it is going to have to stay. But the rest came out pretty easily and looked great!

  • Rear Seat Floors Riveted

    I decided to relisten to General Conference from April 2025 while riveting in the seat floors. Pretty mindless work and gave me a chance to recap conference again before the next conference happens here in October.

  • OU Aviation Festival & Baggage Door

    Started off the day taking my daughter to the OU Aviation Festival. It is a small festival but it is cool to get to see those in the local aviation community come together and share their love and passion for flight. Cailey enjoyed getting the chance to see the helicopters and other static displays and going through the STEM hangar.

    Afterwards we got home and I helped her in the simulator upstairs in practicing her flying. I need to get my FAA currency up to date so I can take her up more often and let her fly with me. But afterwards I got the parts for the baggage door primed and everything riveted together. I then started looking forward to the baggage door hinge frame and there’s a bit of an alignment issue on the top of the part. I don’t see this as being a huge show stopper as I might just reem these out to match the holes the way they align now, but every hole on that frame aligns except for the top two. Very odd and I can’t push it to align it or even use an awl to get it to align. It just will not get close enough to align up. I mean we’re talking a good 1/8″ off here. Either way, I posted the question to the FB RV-10 group to see what they might say and maybe I can get some answers or insight there.

  • Baggage Door Fully Prepped

    I got the baggage door verified that it is already final sized, cut the hinge for the door, debuted and dimpled everything so I can prime it tomorrow after my EAA chapter meeting. Worked at least some today to get my mind off the things in this world.

  • Baggage Door Initial Assembly and Fitting

    I got a little bit of time to work on the baggage door tonight but I found it difficult to work too much after seeing the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Such a sad day….