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.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Fuselage

Aft Pushrod, Wiring Channel, Cable Links to Rudder, Bearing Bracket Stops ( 3 hrs )

Wrapping up several steps from various sections that are best done now prior to re-orienting Fuse to upright position. Installed Cable Links to Rudder Pedals at Sect 33-12. Ground Bearing Bracket stops at Control Bases per steps 1-2 at Sect 36-13. (top ones were "easy" to reach, but bottom was very challenging. Used mirror to position small file). Now forward and aft stick movements have contact with stops on both LH and RH sides simultaneously. Installed Aft Elevator Pushrod to Bellcrank Ass'ly per Sect 36-15. Riveted in Wiring Channel Ass'ly at front center under dash per Sect 35-10.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Fuselage

Control Sticks Aligned & Brake Lines Leak Tested ( 2 hrs )

Aligned Control Sticks to be parallel w/in 1/8" top to bottom (vs slightly more than 1/4" orig) per Sect 36-14. Torqued Stick Link Pushrod. Removed Control Sticks to protect Grips/switches. Decided to perform leak test of brake lines fittings by using schraeder valve supplied for fuel tank leak testing. Simply replaced breather fitting on top of Brake Fluid Reservoir. Used soap bubbles on all brass elbows and compression fittings -- no leaks. Except at schraeder valve (installed w/o thd sealant to avoid contaminating reservoir). Convenient since this showed what a leak would looks like (see pic). Checked by removing plastic plug at bottom of Fuse (at gear leg exit) to confirm air flowing all the way through system. Moved brake pedals/master cyl's to insure air pressurizing all fittings. Sure was easier now to check for leaks than discovering once brake fluid added later. Van's Prod Support said hadn't thought about checking for leaks this way, so I sent pics w/ notes

Control sticks interconnected
and parallel

intentionally not sealed at schraeder valve

plugged end of brake line

no leak

No leaks at all 8 brass elbows, compression fittings

Monday, June 26, 2017

Fuselage

Control Stick Bases ( 2 hrs )

Primed, then finish painted 4 Rudder Cable Links and the Wiring Channel Ass'ly (goes under dash in center). Installed LH & RH Control Stick Bases per Sect 36-11. LH side required thin shim to take up space between bearings - otherwise bearings bound up when AN4-37A bolt/nut tightened. Aaargh... But the RH side fit perfectly. Installed the Stick Link Pushrod (ties LH to RH Control Bases for Ailerons). Very challenging to align for the 2 inner washers....struggled nearly 30 min before success. Thank you washer wrenches !

Limited access, and hard to see to install washers.
Not tightened yet... waiting to measure if joysticks
will be parallel. Note the Control Base has already
been installed with long AN4-73A bolt.

Sweet...LH & RH side connected
via pushrod (grey bar below)

Friday, June 23, 2017

Fuselage

Brake Lines ( 3 hrs )

Installed Brake Lines - Crossover and Main Brake Lines per Sect 33-08 & -09/. Prepped Cable Links for priming per Sect 33-12. Installed nylon Cable Guides.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Fuselage

Rudder Pedal Assembly ( 4 hrs )

Installed 8 Brass Elbows to Brake Master Cylinders on Rudder Pedal Ass'ly ( Sect 33-04). Installed first set of Brake Lines between Reservoir to Slave fittings. Pic shows instructions in Sect 5.22 to drill end of tubing and press in a brass insert --that's a first for me. Installed entire assembly into Fuselage per Sect 33-05 & -06. Pedals swing freely w/ light effort - super smooth. Ka-Ching !

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Fuselage

Control Sticks & Elev Pushrods ( 5 hrs )

Completed Steps 4 - 9, Sect 36-10 for Align & Drill LH & RH Control Sticks into Bases. Prepped Control Stk Bases per Steps 1 - 2, Sect 36-11. Removed all masking from Fuse for the big reveal. Looking good. Installed Fwd & Mid Elev Pushrods per Sect 36-05, -07, -08, -09 attaching to Control Column, Idler Arms between, and Bellcrank. Super smooth with zero drag and no interference. Sweet !

left SS firewall unpainted

un-masked...

challenge to reach.
Washer "wrenches" very helpful

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Fuselage

Bellcrank Assembly ( 4 hrs )

Built Bellcrank Mount and AutoPilot Pitch Servo Bracket per Sect 36-06 and -07. 1st trimmed bracket, added optional 1.25" dia lightening hole. Deburred holes & edges on both. Machine C'sunk Mount for flush rivets holding 8 nutplates. Primed both. Riveted K1000 nutplates using my "Main Squeeze" - sure works great. Although time to install Pushrods, decided to wait another day for paint curing before I remove masking on Fuse interior (after touch ups yesterday). Jumped to Sect 36-10 to assemble Control Sticks into Control Bases. These are the optional (upgrade) Sticks with Grips & wiring. They're pre-drilled for mounting to base, which is good news. Ready for Steps 4-8 @ Sect 36-10 (match drill and enlarge to enable bolting at joint).