Matt's RV-7 Project

I used to have this cheesy "boombox" style radio-slash-CD-player in the garage, of which I made heavy use during the construction of the empennage kit. It was great, except for the fact that it refused to play most of my CDs, and it could really only pick up radio stations if I was standing right next to it. Okay, it actually sucked. But those days are over now!

I replaced the cheesy boombox with an Airport Express that I picked up for cheap (factory refurb deal) and a spare set of computer speakers I had laying around. Now I can wirelessly pipe CDs, mp3s, and streaming audio out to the garage, and the sound quality is excellent. I can even use the computer upstairs to tune into local radio stations' streaming internet feeds and beam them out to the airplane workshop in full digital glory – a roundabout and absurdly complicated way to listen to the radio, to be sure, but a satisfying one nonetheless.

So today I'm sitting at work, thinking up new ways to get all of your money, when the phone rings:

Van's: Hi, this is [somebody] from Van's Aircraft.
Me:    Is this The Call?
Van's: Yes, your quickbuild kit is ready. Send money.

So I wrote the big check for $13,980 (the remaining 75% of the quickbuild cost) and sent it off. I suspect it will probably be sometime in November before the kit gets delivered, so I should have a few weekends yet to get the garage ready.

In the meantime, I need to drill the hole for the hinge bolt through the elevator horns, so I went to the local hardware emporium after work, looking for something I could use as a ¹/₄" OD, ³/₃₂" ID drill bushing as called for in the plans. No dice. So, I ended up ordering an actual drill bushing from McMaster-Carr for twelve bucks. Kind of steep for a little piece of steel, but I'm sure I'll be able to loan it out to at least one co-worker eventually.

I also ordered some misc low-dollar stuff, including chucking reamers, from Avery while I was on a mini shopping spree.

Back from working four days at Oshkosh. I didn't get a chance to take many pictures since I was in the booth most of the time, but here are some from a ride I got to take on Friday. Unfortunately that's not me in the Extra 300, but I did get to ride along in the photo ship (a restored Beech 18) and take some pictures of my own. The Extra is being flown by aerobatic pilot Michael Mancuso, and the guy in front is some lucky stiff. As you can see, it was completely awesome.

 
 
 

I also managed to sneak away from working long enough to head over to Vans' booth and order the RV-7 quickbuild wings and fuselage.

Based on recommendations from other builders, I ordered a set of 3/32" tank dimple dies from Cleaveland. I didn't like the way the dimpled skin and substructure were fitting together, and these are supposed to be useful for fixing that little cosmetic issue as well as for building fuel tanks. We shall see.

Update: The package with the set of dimple dies in it arrived promptly, but contained… only the female half of the die set. Not so useful. I called Cleaveland on the phone, and they said they'll send me another set ASAP. Good customer service.

Today I sold the RV-9A that I've had for almost three years. Now it's time for a new airplane project…