I've started my adventure to build a Van's Aircraft RV14a. For several years, I've been planning to build an Experimental (homebuilt) airplane - once retired.
But first, I needed to get my Pilot's License. (Kinda key !) So... first things first: I retired March 2014 from Caterpillar - and started flying lessons in the Summer of 2014. Soloed a day after Christmas, and got my Private July 2015. Shop set up, tools acquisition, and practise kits during Fall launched me into my build starting Dec 31, 2015 !

I've chosen to build the RV14a since it's about 10% larger than Van's prior models - so it fits my 6'4" frame well. Van's is well known for great value & outstanding flying qualities. It's been a no brainer decision for me. A tour of their facilities and demo flight in Oct 2013 clinched the deal. My wife - also a pilot - exclaimed after her demo flight "retire NOW so you can build one of these". The RV14a fits my mission of a good compromise between cross country & aerobatics. Plus...I fit, too.

So far, one month into building, it's been rewarding. Very challenging, but certainly a learning experience. The builder community is terrific - as is Van's tech support. I'm finished with the Vert Stab and Rudder (Jan 2016). So... with a 5 month delivery lead time, I've ordered the Quick Build Wings and Fuselage.

I hope this blog assists other new builders, just like several others have been valuable to me. Plus it will serve to document my build step by step. Please drop me a line via the "contact me" form on lower RH margin.
Update: April 2020 relocated to Wickenburg, Az to escape Illinois winters.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Avionics

Discrete #3 (now Discrete #2) connected to Fuel Pump, etc  ( 3 hrs )

Update 5/29/19: needed to switch Fuel Pump On to Discrete #2, so Discrete #3 could be aligned with Canopy Warning.  #3 is locked in by Vans program for Canopy Warning uploaded into G3X.  So I switched Purple/Grn wire and Purple/Blu wire in connector J244 at GEA24.  This aligns Purple/Grn to Pin 41 and Discrete #2.   And Pin 42 = Discrete #3 for Purple/Blu wire.

Crimped connection Discrete #3 (now Discrete #2) wire to Fuel Pump Power wire adjacent to pump in center tunnel.  Will provide notice on display "Fuel Pump ON".  Bundled & protected LH Common Harness + GPS cable + Static/AOA/Pitot air lines + Discrete #3 #2 inside center tunnel and up to back of IP.  Installed nutplates so I could use -12 size cushion clamp ( seems nutplates should have been done via Quickbuild, since not otherwise denoted to do earlier)
yellow denotes adel clamp (nutplate had to be installed via blind rivets at this
stage).  Red wire is Fuel Pump power, which under top cables is joined to
Discrete #3 #2 wire (purple/green stripes)

progress bundling LH Common Harness, other wires & air lines
from center tunnel up to IP.  Repeat next for RH side.
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