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, January 10, 2019

Avionics

Canopy Harness continued ( 1 hr )

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 (now #2) for Purple/Blu wire.


Per Sect 61-03 and Van's W00125 schematic for canopy wiring, crimped on 6 Molex pins into ES00012 connector.   Snapped into F01477-L.   Stein provided heat shrink labels.
reference:
Pin 12   Discrete 2   [now Discrete 3 ]           (Purp/Blu)
Pin 11   Gnd                        (Blk)  from forest of tabs on firewall
Pin 10   Defrost Pwr           (Red)
Pin  9    Cabin Lights Pwr  (Red)
Pin  8    PWM Light 2        (Wht/Blk)
Pin   7   PWM Light 1        (Wht/Blk)
...and  PWM Light 3, DC Light 1, 2 & 3 unused...
Partially done inserting pins

Connector in place, pending  wire protection.
PWM 3, DC Light 1, 2 & 3 unused,
(ends covered with heat shrink labels)

extra schematic Stein Air's  Josh Swensen provided....shows how
2 LED strips should be connected

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Avionics

Canopy Harness installation ( 4 hrs )

Added cushion clamp ( size -7) to retain extra cable at LH sub-panel forward of G3X Touch 460 panel, etc.  My wife Nancy helped re-mount canopy so I could start Canopy Harness installation.  Routed 40" of safety wire through LH side of Canopy per step 5 in Sect 61-03.  Drilled holes for Garmin GA 26C GPS antenna in upper surface (ie dash).  Since BNC connector pre-connected by Garmin to antenna, needed 3/4" hole to pass (used uni-bit).  Mounted w 2 supplied screws.  Tah-dah!  Prepped 2 defrost fan's black & red wires per Steps 1 & 2, Sect 61-02.  Routed W2128 (Wht/Brn) and W2129 (Blk) wire through canopy frame pulling pre-positioned safety wire out of aft oval hole per Sect 61-03, Steps 1-4.  Protected these wires along canopy shelf via clear spiral wrap retained with cable ties.
cushion (adel) clamp securing extra harness. 

mounted GA 26C GPS antenna per Sect 61. 
(pre-attached BNC to wire req'd 3/4" hole to pass)



safety wire routed from front to aft
opening in LH canopy
wires pulled through, crimped connectors, & attached to micro
switch. (warns canopy not latched if RPM above 1700 RPM )
[ note: silicone sealant in oval opening yet to be added ] 

wires routed to center, gathered with LH defrost fan.
translucent spiral wrap added,
secured w/ cable ties

Monday, January 7, 2019

Avionics

GTR 200 Radio and GMC307 autopilot installed ( 2 hrs )

Installed tray for GTR 200 radio (holes drilled, spacers done months ago).  The 6 screws holding tray were challenging due to tight/awkard position, so required much more time than expected.   The radio itself slid into position easily.  Then installed GMC 307 Autopilot with simple retention on IP itself.   Finally, tightened connectors on backside of each.
radio tray installed, ready to slide in GTR 200 radio


GMC 307 Autopilot installed above GTR 200 radio.  Inserted
emergency canopy release lever - which needs painting after
 rotating handle 90 deg

Release lever in place, connectors installed,
wiring protected.  Good to go!

Friday, December 28, 2018

Avionics

BNC connector, Wiring in central tunnel  ( 3 hrs )

Crimped BNC connector to WAAS GPS antenna coax.  Connected to Garmin 20A unit on sub-panel. Completes all 3 BNC and 1 TNC connectors (4 out of 4 successful, so didn't need extra BNC ordered...yay!)  Completed bundling & securing wiring from central tunnel up to IP.   Maybe done with cramming under dash...assuming all connections check A-OK,  and no air leaks or brake line leaks.
Completed securing RH wiring and brake lines
LH wire routing and protection





RH side wire routing and protection
low angle view under "dash"

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.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Avionics

GPS antenna coax ( 2 hrs )

Routed RG400 coax from GPS antenna along center Aft Fuse to 1st bulkhead, down to bottom then forward.    Shared same route as Static air line on LH side, so replaced orig cable ties as I added coax.  Due to awkward reach and position required, got lots of isometric exercise.  Good news - don't expect to be working inside Aft Fuse any more.  Again, my wife Nancy was key to helping me into and out of position in baggage area ( I'm too tall - and don't bend so easy these days)
joined with LH Static line along bulkhead
joined w/ other wires along center

Friday, December 21, 2018

Avionics

RG400 Coax antenna cables ( 3 hrs )

Routed RG400 coax from RH side Fuse at Comm whip antenna through to center tunnel.  Very difficult to pass cable through SB at transition to center tunnel...but eventually worked.  Crimped BNC connector on each end.  (Good videos from Stein Air and HomebuiltHelp , and EAA show how to do this successfully .   Then routed RG400 Coax cable from aft of baggage area through center tunnel up to IP for GPS WAAS antenna.  Crimped on TNC (threaded style  - and expensive at $23 vs $3.25 for BNC)  at antenna end.   Why Garmin uses this expensive connector at this antenna stumps me.   Also re-routed Static, Pitot and AOA air lines at IP.   As I routed coax cable nearby, I discovered perfect spot for a SB750-10 (not referenced in Vans instructions).  So I revised to route coax and these 3 lines together as shown below vs original pass over the vertical support.
coax cable prepped, then center pin crimped on
BNC connector crimped next,
added shrink wrap too


for Comm Antenna on RH bottom of Fuse
TNC (thread on stype) crimped for GPS antenna


routing/securing with static line next step
added snap bushing to vertical support, & re-routed air lines