rv10.stephensville.com

Push To Start Wiring

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:35:34 +0000

Wired up the push to start button. The VP-200 controls the external start switch and only enables it in Start Mode. The lighted ring is connected to a power pin on the VP-200 which is also only configured to come on in Start Mode. Pretty sweet. You can find out more about the switch and wiring it on the VP forums.

Flap Wiring

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:04:38 +0000

Wired up the flap position sensor, flap motor and flap switch today. Did an initial calibration on the VP-200 and EFIS/EM to make sure everything was working. Will have to go back and do a “real” configuration once the flaps are on.

Detour For Instrument Rating

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:54:44 +0000

For the last 6 months I’ve been training for my Instrument Rating off and on. I had been signed off by my CFII to take the practical for a couple weeks. Weather and scheduling issues prevented me from doing the flying portion. Yesterday finally worked out and I passed my checkride.

It has taken away build time here and there, but it was worth it. Not only did I want to get the instrument ticket, but I also wanted to regain some proficiency in general before the RV-10 was completed. Both goals are now checked off. I am a much better pilot than I was before starting the training. I also flew my entire training with a Garmin 430, so I now know how to navigate that piece of equipment. The stress levels were at some times high studying for the written and oral, but have dissipated immensely as of today.

Next up is a few sessions in an Archer III to learn how to do coupled approaches with an autopilot and a Garmin 430W which will give me an additional head start with my avionics.

Now back to pounding… errr… wiring… errr… sanding fiberglass…

Match Drilled Door Halves

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 04:34:34 +0000

Match drilled the door halves. They are match drilled while on the fuselage/cabin top to maintain shape. Next step is to epoxy the halves together.

Cabin Top Match Drilled

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:45:41 +0000

Cabin top is match drilled to the fuselage. I am going to deviate from the plans a bit and mount the doors next. The holes in the door well are just match drilled to #30 and not final sized to #12 and #19 yet. That way I can just keep them cleco’d and adjust if needed while doing the doors. Doing the doors first will also let me remove the cabin top one last time to add the Aerosport overhead console and finish the inside before attaching it for good.

Nav Splitters

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:30:05 +0000

Single cat whisker NAV antenna in tail goes into Garmin splitter. From there, one goes out to Comant CI-507 diplexer to split NAV and Glideslope signal for 430W inputs. Other goes out to SL-30 NAV input.

Trimming Cabin Top

admin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:08:41 +0000

Brad was over the last couple weekends to help with getting the cabin top trimmed and fitted. We got everything done except for trimming the door wells. Have I ever mentioned that I hate working with fiberglass? I’d rather do a few hundred proseal jobs on the fuel tanks.

Power Applied

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:57:56 +0000

Testing most of the interconnects between the avionics. So far the two 4500s are talking to each other, the 430W, SL-30 and VP-200. Had to RMA the GTX-330 transponder back to Garmin for a suspected internal short.

Nice to get to this step. Still quite a few bits to hook up yet, but making progress. I wanted to get all the wiring done before the top skin gets put on.

Prop Arrives

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:00:41 +0000

The prop arrived via FedEx Freight this afternoon. No engine to hang it on yet. That should show up sometime around February.

Right Side Tail Wiring

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 03:06:11 +0000

Finished wiring up all the “stuff” that heads up front from the right side of the tail. All the ELT connections (power, ground, GPS serial, RJ11 to head), autopilot pitch servo and autotrim, pitch trim servo.

Haven’t decided yet if the EFIS magnotometer wires will come back through this side. There may also be some Oxygen system tubing runs up this side in the future.