Building an Experimental Airplane, The Vans RV-7A | EP2.5 Wing Skin, Leading Edge, and Tank
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- This time I'm getting the skin on the wings and match-drilling an uncountable number of holes. (OK--so it's countable, and its somewhere north of 2,000.)
From there we construct the leading edges of the wing on the bench and then take them over and attach them to the wing. This part, I've heard, is rough. We'll see how it goes for me.
After that a friend drops by and we get started on the tank! The fuel tank will be one of the more difficult and technical parts of the build. I'm intimidated, but eager to get started.
Oh, and I gripe (me, really?) a bit about the instructions. Click here for a link to an explanation and see if I really have a legitimate gripe: www.ryanflys.c...
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I'm Ryan, an aviation enthusiast who has decided to build his own aircraft and publish the entire thing online for others to watch along. The airplane is a two-person experimental kit built aluminum plane capable of over 200 miles per hour, and a range of nearly 700 miles. The kit is manufactured by Van's Aircraft, one of the most prolific kit providers on the planet. The airplane is aerobatic, functional, and fun. The build is challenging, time consuming, fun and rewarding.
Check out my instagram @ryanflyspdx
Also check out my new website, ryanflys.com. You'll catch daily updates, quick access to videos, and more information about the project. I'm in the middle of updating past build journal updates.
Please like and subscribe if you are enjoying-it really helps what I'm doing here!
Please note, this channel is for entertainment only and should not be used as build advice/consultation. I am an amateur builder sharing my experience.
I'm watching on with envy. I once purchased all the tools and completed the practice kits to build my own RV 14, but then life got in the way and I sold it all off. Maybe I'll get back to it one day. You are approaching it all in the right way.
I could see how life could get in the way, for sure. It is a project that asks for just about everything you have to give!
Hey! I was here about 4-5 months ago. I spoke with VANS and since the have started match holing the x brackets , you don’t have to build the tank on the spar. I built it off the spar and everything lined up beautifully without even a hint of a gap or misalignment. Hopefully you’ve seen this before tackling the right tank. 😊
We’ll, I did build it on the plane, but it wasn’t too much of a problem…
It’s on the bench now and we’re contemplating sealant/rivets.
@@RyanFlysPDX good deal. Let me know if you have any questions with it. It’s still fresh on my mind haha
This is awesome. I might take you up on that!!
Building the exact same plane and started about 3 months later currently starting the leading edge for one wing. great build video and a good heads up for what is to come next on my build lol!
Awesome, good to hear!! Good luck with the build.
I used a cardboard box for the leading edge jig. Worked perfectly.
You will enjoy riveting the bottom skins 😅
Great Job!
Worse than closing up the stab? Or just more of it?
Yes. You will need an inspection mirror in most cases to check each rivet. I started riveting with the wing on the table, but I didn’t like this method, so I moved it back to the jig. I had to seat on the floor to be able to reach the aft spar. But you’re probably more creative than me. You will find a better way 😃.
I used a tungsten bar with tape on it. It is easy to scratch the spar. Specially because you won’t be able to see the rivet in most cases.
Another idea is to have another person helping you 👍
Time to find a rivet buddy.
Yeah, I’m not looking forward to that. Oh well-at least it is a ways off!
Thanks for the comments and compliments!
omg i had to set alerts on for you because I wanna see your journey! Congrats!
That’s awesome! Thank you for following and sending such a great message!!
I’ll keep the updates a frequent as I can!
@@RyanFlysPDX yea for sure! By any chance, do you think you can get good footage of how the fuel tank is sealed and formed and all that? It seems people use a potato for this part of the process all the time lol. I have been looking around to understand and no luck. assuming you haven't completed them of course.
Full episodes on the fuel tanks are coming soon! This will detail all aspects of construction, including the dreaded sealant!
I continue to be impressed with you progress. How much prep did you do prior to starting this project. You seem so well prepared for each step.
The editing process allows me to remove the two-three hours of footage per video of me on my hands and knees looking for parts or applying band-aids.
But seriously, I've poured over the instructions, build videos, plans, and forum threads trying to chart a path ahead of time. Still, I find myself paralyzed trying to decide how to move forward. The fuel tanks are offering a multitude of these situations...
Wow! Pretty exciting. You are making some great progress.
Thanks, Kenneth!! It is exciting to see it come together!!