Assembled/Cleco'd the center section frame - 1.5 hours

I was eager to get the center section assembly together to see how it all fit and looked. As well, by putting the seat and baggage panels helped me to visualize how I was going to make the panels removable.

Flutted the F-716 ribs - 1.5 hours

An easy day today....again.

I straightened and flutted the flanges on the F-716 ribs.

Modified the F-716 ribs for the control access - 1.5 hours

Small day today on the build, I cut the two (2) F-716 ribs for the removable piece that allows installation of the stick controls. I used the band saw to make the cuts and then used the sanding station to clean things up. A final run through with the 3M wheel cleaned it all up.




Although a small build day, it was a heavy research day. First I needed to figure out how may F-716 seat ribs I wanted to modify to allow Stick control access. The plans indicate two, however many folks modify four. I finally settled on only doing 2 ribs...I can always easily modify the other 2 ribs at a later date if I hit a brick wall down the road.

As well, I decided very early on that I wanted to make removable baggage panels but had no idea what was involved. Yesterday I sent off an email to Van's just to get things on record for my build and to ask about #8 vs #6 screws if I did the removable baggage panels. But today I had to figure out process, configuration and counts. There is not a whole lot of information out there on how to do this but with enough research I see WireJock's RV7 page gives a good idea of what he's done. I will try to document my process a little better to answer all the questions I had. Basically I decided to follow wirejock's plan and use countersunk screws for everything aft (and including) the F-705 bulkhead. Everything forward of F-705 will be standard screws.

Modifying the F-716 seat ribs - 3 hours

It was a much bigger day than just 3 hours if you count set up and making the jig to drill the seat ribs.

I started the day by going to home depot to by materials to build a drilling rig for the drill press. Whenever I have holes I need to drill with odd parts or bits (like the 1-1/2" holes in the 716 ribs) I like to build a jig to properly secure everything. This gives a stable platform and the ability to clamp everything.


I then drew 1 1/2" reference circles on the parts as I will be initially drilling the holes to 1 3/8" and then opening them up to 1 1/2" (Better room for error this way).

I was then ready to drill four F-716 ribs.




Now I needed to cut the enlarged access hole. I drew reference lines first.



Then I made my initial cuts with aviation snips and then went to work with a file. Slowly but surely the material was taken away, and I worked up to the lines. Then I cleaned all edges with the small 3M wheel on the die grinder.

Little more riveting on the Aft Fuse - 3 hours

I haven't spent any time really on the build. Just soo unmotivated and I've been concentrating on getting back into cycling. In May I cycled 750 km (466 miles) so that ate up a lot of spare time in the evenings.

Fortunately my buddy Mike had some time to come over and give me a hand to buck some of the more tricky rivets on the aft fuse. By the end of the evening, nearly all of the corner rivets on the bulkheads were done. I just have about 10 to 15 left so I will schedule Mike for another night and hopefully we can finish it up.

Cut the F-916C spacers - 1.5 hours

Again, not feeling very motivated on the build. But I wanted to start in on the centre section and I needed to cut and drill the F-916C spacers. Its fairly straight forward, cut on the bandsaw, shape on the sanding station, then into the drill press.

The 2019 Camrose Fly-in Breakfast

I don't normally post all my flights as they are not very adventurous and kind of boring. However today is a different story. I rented C-FWTO and I took my kids out to the Camrose Fly-in breakfast. I always enjoy these as they are a family event, and I get to check out at all the RV's and also to look at some of the build examples. So I generally take lots of reference pictures.

However I really enjoyed flying with the kids and I don't do it that much.