Steevo's RV14a Build Log

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.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Empennage

Aft Fuselage (1 hr )

Cont'd Sect 10-19 riveting along lower curved portion of LH Skin at J-stiffener. Only very lowest row of rivets along curved Side Skin joining to Bottom Skin, and at "Tail" rear section remain.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Empennage

Aft Fuselage (3 hrs )

Cont'd Sect 10-19 with curved sides. Nancy helping (yeah!) by bucking while I'm using back riveting tool in gun. Progress...but lots of rivets in Side Skins !

Thurs, June 23 Aft Fuselage (1.5 hrs )

Cont'd Sect 10-19 on LH side, now at lower curved area along Sides.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Empennage

Aft Fuselage (5 hrs )

Switched to LH fuse side skin - riveted all the flat side area. Nancy joined me in afternoon to finish mid-section with the harder to reach rivets. Sweet! Also riveted the alternate sizes (e.g. at tail the 426 4-4 rivets) where I found I could reach with the Main Squeeze tool. Ready now for lower curved portions on each side.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Empennage

Aft Fuselage (1.5 hrs)

After enjoying morning taking turns flying around the pattern today in our clubs C172, my wife & I returned home to rivet fuselage side skins. Good to have her assistance back riveting (she's using the bucking bar on outside, I'm using back rivet set in rivet gun addressing shop heads from inside).

Progress...RH side essentially done on "flat". Curved bottom next...

Monday, June 20, 2016

Empennage

Aft Fuselage (4 hrs)

Sect 10-19: Used blue tape to mask over holes NOT to rivet...yet. Took 45 min to study dwg and designate on LH and RH sides...but saves oops later. Step 1 - riveting flat sides first (save curved sides for last to help sides lay tight, per instructions). Slow going, but progress on RH side. Back rivet seems best. However, some require flush set in gun with titanium bucking bar on inside to reach.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Empennage

Aft Fuselage ( 1 hr)

Sect 10-17, Riveted (16) F1411 Bulkhead to Lower Aft Fuselage - with assist from wife using bucking bar from above while I applied flush rivet set/rivet gun from underneath. Repeated at F1410 Bulkhead with Bottom Skin and forward edge of Lower Aft Fuselage...just 6 rivets. Now onto both sides...

Friday, June 17, 2016

Empennage

Aft Fuselage (3 hrs )

Sect 10-14 finished w/ cleco'd RH Side Skin...with help from my wife, Nancy. Finished also 10-16 w/ Priming of Aft Bottom Skin, then rivet on the rearmost Bulkhead F01412 via Sect 10-17.

Next installed Lower Aft Fuselage assembly into Aft Fuselage - Great Fit ! Really a puzzle to align layers all at once...but really pleased with outcome. Ready to rivet the fuselage !