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.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Wings

LH Tip Rib ( 4 hrs )

Finished RH Tip Rib installation with 6 blind rivets installed while mounted on wing ( best "jig" ). Then removed Tip from Wing to install the remaining AN426 3-3.5 rivets. Good result, so moved on to LH Tip Rib...basically repeat. Drilled 19 #40 holes, with 6 enlarged to #33 for the MK319 blind rivets. Countersunk all holes - all while still mounted to Wing. Ready to deburr, prime and rivet next. Planning to trim ends of each Tip when both are "ready".

pic from inside showing rivets and blind rivets.
Only buffed and primed flanges...so "messy" in center of rib

whew..glad this Tip is almost done...
except trimming end ~1/4 inch as marked

Monday, March 27, 2017

Wings

RH Tip adding Rib ( 2 hrs )

Celebrated my daughters 33 Birthday today - geesh, I'm getting old ! Countersunk #40 holes for rivets, and #33 holes for blind rivets. Added some fiberglass cloth & epoxy resin into aft end of Tip - I was concerned when I cut about 1/4" off of the end to be flush with Aileron, there will be little material to nothing holding top and bottom together at end of Tip.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Wings

RH Tip ( 2 hrs )

Re-installed RH Tip - great fit and alignment (whew !). In order to install Tip Rib per next Steps 1-3 (Sect 24-04) needed to remove Tip first so I could remove aileron. Good thing I was only using about 25% of the mounting screws. Then re-installed Tip so I could align Rib into Tip while mounted to Wing. Sure glad I tied a string to the Rib first, since I managed to "drop" the Rib while position and tweaking. I would have gotten to remove the Tip again to recover the Rib deep inside Tip. Van's instructs to remove the Rib after only drilling a hole at each end, marking centerline on Rib, then re-align Rib back into position via holes drilled through Tip only. Instead I simply drilled all the holes with the Rib locked in position...way easier.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Wings

RH Tip ( 3 hrs )

Finished RH Tip, ready to install to confirm alignment (42 nutplates, 84 rivets later). Versus Vans instructions in Sect 24-03 steps 8-10, I prefer to rivet nutplates to fiberglass first, then use #40 CS with the pilot which fits perfectly inside #6 threaded hole of nutplate. This avoids misshapen countersink if done prior without guide of installed nutplate. Also using the air drill provides best finish to CS, since it "shaves" away material - and is quick !

Using two nutplate templates moves the process along quickly.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Wings

RH Tips ( 2 hrs )

No building most of this week while we transferred my dad from Assisted Living into a Skilled Nursing facility - lots of packing & unpacking, etc. My brother visited from Calif during the week to assist getting the move done. Back to building by repeating Sect 24-03 Steps 8-10: started the RH Tip w/ #40 holes - cleco'd (its time consuming to get alignment -- but finally it was ready) Then drilled #27 holes first at every other #40 cleco. Using #30 cleco's "works", but since slightly loose I was extra careful to insure ALL were enlarged with proper Tip to Wing alignment maintained.

note alternating cleco sizes as I enlarge holes

Monday, March 20, 2017

Wings

Complete LH Tip ( 2 hrs )

Machine countersunk for #6 screws using micro-cage. Re-installed to Wing with perfect fit.

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Wings

LH Tip ( 3 hrs )

Steps 9-10, Sect 24-03 for LH Tip almost completed with 42 nutplates, 84 rivets. Only needing to machine countersink for #6 screws (I'll be using installed nutplates as guide using #40 CS bit), then I can re-install to confirm alignment stayed same.