Horiz Stab (2.0 hrs)
Continued deburring per Sec 8-6. Lots of edges ! Began to work ahead on Step 4: fabricate 4 cradles. Using 1/2 MDF board, since cuts easier w/ jigsaw than 3/8 plywood, and costs less.
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, March 10, 2016
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Empennage
Horiz Stab (4.5 hrs)
Sec 8-5 Step 1: Rivet Front Spar, Doubler, and Caps (2). Requires 5 different rivet types/sizes, so needed to follow the diagram explicitly. Again, Main Squeeze works great, although arms get tired after this many 1/8 in rivets.
My woodworking clamps make great stands for the Spar while riveting.

Step 2: Finished the Spar with 9 rivets on top flange at middle in Countersunk holes, and 9 more on bottom flange.
Sec 8-6, Step1: Deburr Nose Ribs, Inpar Ribs. 20 total. All edges including lightening holes take some time. Good time to listen to some comedy podcasts !
Sec 8-5 Step 1: Rivet Front Spar, Doubler, and Caps (2). Requires 5 different rivet types/sizes, so needed to follow the diagram explicitly. Again, Main Squeeze works great, although arms get tired after this many 1/8 in rivets.
My woodworking clamps make great stands for the Spar while riveting.

Step 2: Finished the Spar with 9 rivets on top flange at middle in Countersunk holes, and 9 more on bottom flange.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Empennage
Horiz Stab (3.5 hrs)
Sec 8-4, steps 2 - 7: For Doubler on Front Spar, Final Drill all the #30 holes, then C.S the 12 specified holes. With top and bottom Caps cleco'd, also CS the middle 9 holes on flanges.
Disassembled all parts to deburr all the holes (lots !) Buffed the parts with 3M Scotchbrite, then cleaned with Acetone. I was actually able to prime outside, since temp was unusually warm (74 degrees ) for early March in central Illinois. Nice to not have to set up and use the spray booth.
Ready to re-assemble and rivet per Sec 8-5.
Sec 8-4, steps 2 - 7: For Doubler on Front Spar, Final Drill all the #30 holes, then C.S the 12 specified holes. With top and bottom Caps cleco'd, also CS the middle 9 holes on flanges.
Disassembled all parts to deburr all the holes (lots !) Buffed the parts with 3M Scotchbrite, then cleaned with Acetone. I was actually able to prime outside, since temp was unusually warm (74 degrees ) for early March in central Illinois. Nice to not have to set up and use the spray booth.
Ready to re-assemble and rivet per Sec 8-5.
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Prior disassembly to scuff and prime.... |
Empennage
Mar 7, Mon
Horiz Stab (3.5hrs)
Sect 8-4: Started Front Spar build with deburring all edges, including lightening holes. Clamped Spar Caps precisely, drilled #30 holes & deburred. Re-assembled again with clecos so could drill #40 holes on flanges. Time consuming process. Per instructions, completed for top Cap, then repeated process for bottom Cap.
Horiz Stab (3.5hrs)
Sect 8-4: Started Front Spar build with deburring all edges, including lightening holes. Clamped Spar Caps precisely, drilled #30 holes & deburred. Re-assembled again with clecos so could drill #40 holes on flanges. Time consuming process. Per instructions, completed for top Cap, then repeated process for bottom Cap.
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Note significant filings from using deburr tool on edges. |
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Empennage
Mar 5, 2016
Horiz Stab (4.0hrs)
Sect 8-2: Steps 7-8. Clean doubler with acetone, then primed. After drying, riveted to Rear Spar with AD470 4-6 rivets (36 of them !) The Main Squeeze makes quick work of these rivets, but my arm was getting a little tired. Pic below still has blue marks indicating where NOT to rivet at this time.
Sect 8-3: Steps 1 & 2: Drill, deburr, and rivet (6) the inboard hinge assembly with flange bearing captured between. Jumped ahead to this page while waiting for primer to dry on doubler.
Sect 8-2: Step 9: Riveted 4 pairs of hinge brackets to spar. (out of sequence, since I did these while waiting for primer to dry fully).
Sect 8-3: Step 3. Bolted inboard hinge to spar and doubler. Used 28 in-lbs plus 14 in-lbs (friction drag for lock nut) per Sect 5-20 in manual.
Step 8-3: Step 4: Prep 2 Front Spar Caps and 2 Stingers for the Forward Spar. Involves cutting off ends at angle, grinding to smooth finish, and deburring all edges. Got into a rhythm so I felt a bit like a robot doing these edges. Not pictured...
Horiz Stab (4.0hrs)
Sect 8-2: Steps 7-8. Clean doubler with acetone, then primed. After drying, riveted to Rear Spar with AD470 4-6 rivets (36 of them !) The Main Squeeze makes quick work of these rivets, but my arm was getting a little tired. Pic below still has blue marks indicating where NOT to rivet at this time.
Sect 8-3: Steps 1 & 2: Drill, deburr, and rivet (6) the inboard hinge assembly with flange bearing captured between. Jumped ahead to this page while waiting for primer to dry on doubler.
Sect 8-2: Step 9: Riveted 4 pairs of hinge brackets to spar. (out of sequence, since I did these while waiting for primer to dry fully).
Sect 8-3: Step 3. Bolted inboard hinge to spar and doubler. Used 28 in-lbs plus 14 in-lbs (friction drag for lock nut) per Sect 5-20 in manual.
Step 8-3: Step 4: Prep 2 Front Spar Caps and 2 Stingers for the Forward Spar. Involves cutting off ends at angle, grinding to smooth finish, and deburring all edges. Got into a rhythm so I felt a bit like a robot doing these edges. Not pictured...
Friday, March 4, 2016
Empennage
Horizontal Stab (2hrs)
Steps 5-7 completed. Countersunk 2 holes that will be under center hinge brackets. Used microstop with #30 CS bit. Being cautious to not go too deep, I proceeded in small steps until just right depth.
Final Drill #12 holes in brackets. Then deburred all holes and scuffed parts to be primed....tomorrow.
Empennage
March 3, Thurs. (I'm back in shop after enjoying a month soaking up sunshine in Arizona !)
Horizontal Stab (3hrs)
Sec. 8 -02 Start of Horizontal Stab build. Steps 1-4 done for Rear Spar with doubler and hinge brackets (4 pairs). I did the doubler for front spar while I was at it, too. Lots of deburring edges (along 9ft + spar !) including all the lightening holes. Small diameter 3M Cut and Polish wheel (1") in air drill made quick work of the holes. A groove worn into wheel aids in slightly rounding the edges, too.
Final Drilled holes (reaming) in for doubler to spar rivets, and spar to brackets.
Horizontal Stab (3hrs)
Sec. 8 -02 Start of Horizontal Stab build. Steps 1-4 done for Rear Spar with doubler and hinge brackets (4 pairs). I did the doubler for front spar while I was at it, too. Lots of deburring edges (along 9ft + spar !) including all the lightening holes. Small diameter 3M Cut and Polish wheel (1") in air drill made quick work of the holes. A groove worn into wheel aids in slightly rounding the edges, too.
Final Drilled holes (reaming) in for doubler to spar rivets, and spar to brackets.
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