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.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Finish Kit

C01409-L ...bum part   ( 3 hrs )

After holiday weekend, back to building.  Discovered C01409-L Angle was incorrectly formed (stamped) by Vans or supplier.  I followed Sect 38-11 instructions to separate LH from RH in single formed part, then ground edges smooth.  Followed Steps 4 & 5 to flute flange until bottom flange was flush to level surface.  But I noticed when lining up C01407-L Rail, it was "off" almost 1/8" from Rail's edge along center...AND it was now bowed along it's length.   I performed same steps for symmetrical RH Angle, and it fit perfectly along Rail, aligning with it's edge as shown in Fig 2.   Side by Side comparison revealed LH Angle has it's bend (stamped shape) at wrong distance from holes.  Sterling at Van's product support checked their inventory, and although he measured 0.015" difference in LH vs RH hole locations from bend, its nowhere near the 0.125" delta on my part.  Assume the metal did not stretch properly, or something slipped in forming.  Van's is mailing a free replacement, and examining what happened in producing those parts, too.  (bummed I spent 1 hr on bandsaw and grinder and another hour resolving - and Van's won't pay to expedite the part to me ).   At least discovered prior to going any further.   So...I worked on other parts such as Sect 38-13 Canopy Handles, and Sects 38-11 Step 6 machine c'sinking Canopy Rail Flange.
correct alignment in foreground on RH parts. Background
shows 1/8" exposure of edge (blue) on Rail ...leading
to flush at each end
LH has too large bottom flange, with too
short of vertical flange cleco'd to Rail
Machine Countersunk specific locations
for 3 and 4 size rivets
canopy handles "done" (started from simple angle

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Finish Kit

Canopy Frame ( 3 hrs )

Finished 1/8" drilling on canopy Close Out Panel.   Started Sect 38-11.  Separated RH & LH Canopy Rail Angles via bandsaw, then ground edges smooth.  Fluted (heaviest pieces fluted so far !) LH side. Stopped to go enjoy a beautiful afternoon with mild weather suitable for long ride on my Harley.
done drilling 1/8" (copper clecos) and 3/32" holes (silver clecos).

LH fluted, cleco'd to rail.  RH not done yet.

Friday, September 1, 2017

Finish Kit

Canopy Frame  ( 3 hrs )

Cont'd Sect 38-10 at Steps 3 to 12.  Added Close Out Panel, then Support Flanges.   Taking extra time to frequently measure w/ digital scale (accurate to 0.1 deg) the LH and RH sides to insure NO TWIST.  Holding to within 0.1 degree.  As progressed, stabilized and held even closer to 0 deg difference.   Drilled 3/32" holes (later enlarge to #40), match drilling into flanges in many locations.  Drilled 1/8" holes (later enlarge to #30), match drilling several locations on forward frame flanges.  Tricky pattern of 1/8 vs 3/32, so marked on panel to insure follow instructions (also drilled 3/32" first, so if make error, I can enlarge to 1/8)
close out panel being cleco'd from center

fit great, aligned really well

Measured each side many times as progressed (here 7.0 deg)
to insure no more than 0.1 deg difference one side to other.

added Support Flanges to rear portion
Added Support Flange (to right in pic)


drilled marked 3/32 holes, started 1/8" (marked so avoid Oh-- #$@%& !)
Part way done with 1/8 ...so far so good.

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Finish Kit

Canopy Frame Assembly ( 3 hrs )

Assembly of LH to RH Fwd Canopy Frames went well per Steps 6-9, Sect 38-09.  Not necessary to do any fluting adjustments since fit was excellent.  (note: in pictures, there are black lines along some flanges that are "sharpie" marks used to identify area to dimple on Skin - they are not shadows from poor fitting flanges).  Spent extra time leveling table both directions (used digital level accurate to 0.1 deg) and confirming flat.  Then added two 2x4s (also confirmed straight !) so I could cleco 2 Fixture channels onto bottom of Frame Assembly.   Also works in next stage when I invert Canopy Frame.   Completed Steps 1-2, Sect 38-10 deburring and dimpling Close Out panel.
adding Fixture channels
Skin fit really well


View "under the hood".   Prime later...
Other direction "under the hood"

close out panel.   gently curved now to match

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Finish Kit

Canopy frame assembly  ( 3 hrs )

Today I ordered the bundled Lycoming IO-390 (w/ E-Mag option) plus the Hartzell 74" Blended Airfoil propellor via Van's ...just ahead of the Sept 1 deadline to gain the $1000 discount.    In the shop, continued Sect 38-09 Steps 1-5.  Required using both rivet gun/bucking bar and the "Main Squeeze" to get these rivets done - and one joint required blind rivets.   Ready to add Splice plates joining LH to RH frames.
 

holding during riveting is critical.

ready to add center Splice plates joining LH to RH frames

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Finish Kit

Deburring and Priming for Canopy (3 hrs )

Completed fluting and "clecoing" canopy parts per Sect 38-08.   Confirmed with Sterling at Van's product support I was doing these steps correctly.   Didn't require as much fluting as instructions seemed to indicate.   Deburred holes and edges remaining parts for Sect 38-09.  Primed all parts from pages -08 and -09.
buffed, ready to prime


freshly primed ! (NAPA 7220)

primed & ready to assemble

Monday, August 28, 2017

Finish Kit

Canopy Skin Assembly ( 3 hrs )

Finished dimpling Canopy Skin (Sect 38-07) and deburred edges.  Deburred holes and edges of 4 Support Flanges.  Started assembly via Steps 1-3 Sect 38-08.   Requires considerable fluting of flanges, cleco to check,  re-flute...cleco.   Instructions state this is critical to create right shape.   I may consult with Vans product support to clarify.
convenient location to lay canopy skin...sort fits already.

Support Flanges deburred

preliminary fit while fluting....