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.

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Finish Kit

Epoxy coating on inside Cowls ( 2 hrs )

Removed hinges from Cowls to deburr. Coated interior of Cowls w/ thin layer epoxy resin to make impervious to oil and easier to clean...per Step 6 at 45-16.

Squeegee and foam brush worked well to apply even, thin coating epoxy.
Bottom Cowl is ~ 1/2 done in this pic

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Finish Kit

Top and Bottom Cowl ( 6 hrs )

Inserted Cowl Hinge Pins (horiz upper hinge halves) per Sect 45-14 Step 1-10. Cut clearances for Hinge Pins on LH and RH sides - but will install Cowl Pin Covers soon instead of finishing for tab mounting. Marked and drilled holes for upper hinge pins on Top Cowl. Re-installed -- alignment still very good, so match drilled #40 holes per Steps11 at 45-15. Drilled holes each side Spinner per 45-16, then riveted on 4 nutplates per Steps 1-4 at 45-17. Used Cowl Pin Cover templates to mark cut-outs on each side.

marked & drilled Top Cowl upper hinge

Drilled & cleco'd...

Top Cowl with hinges attached (clecos).

Bottom Cowl w/ hinges attached. 2 holes each side spinner, too

nutplates beside spinner on Bottom Cowl

LH template used to mark for cutout -
Cowl Pin Covers

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Finish Kit

Bottom Cowl ( 4 hrs )

Mounted Bottom Cowl in final position w/o Top Cowl per Steps 13-16 at Sect 45-11. Clamped vertical hinges then match drilled 19x per side per Steps 1-5 in Sect 45-12. Checked fit with Top Cowl after 1st holes/cleco - remained A-OK, so proceeded. Positioned horiz lower hinges, marked and drilled 31x each side. Looking great.

vertical hinge drilled for LH side Bottom Cowl

inside view...cleco

horiz hinge lower section clamped, holes marked

checking positioning of Cowl Pins...option I purchased

pleased with fit !

Friday, May 25, 2018

Finish Kit

Bottom Cowl ( 4 hrs )

Trimmed and sanded aft edges of Bottom Cowl to fit fuselage. Traced lower edge of Top onto upper edge of Bottom Cowl along sides, then trimmed and sanded to fit (several iterations of on & off to mark -sand -mark-sand -- approached cautiously to a final fit). Marked and drilled aft edge rivets for vertical hinges on Bottom Cowl. All per Steps 3-12 on Sect 45-11.

Aft edge trimmed. Top overlapping Bottom
along side, casts a shadow.

More trimming, then sand, then fit...then sand, ...& Repeat.

After final fit Top to Bottom along fore/aft seam.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Finish Kit

Top and Bottom Cowl mated to Fuselage ( 3 hrs )

Drilled aft holes on Top Cowl, then match drilled into hinges after re-installing onto Fuse. 42 holes filled with clecos per Steps 1-8 at Sect 45-10. Started 45-1; mounting Bottom Cowl. Marked aft edges for trimming (less than 1/8") using tool Carl & Rafael showed in their build log. Stopped early to go flying prior planning meeting at airport for annual Father's Day breakfast/fly-in.

snapped pic inside/under cowl - checking
locations of holes in hinge.

added Bottom Cowl. Sawhorse good height to defy gravity.
Horiz line is shadow where Top finished edge
overlaps untrimmed Bottom Cowl,

After checking alignment &, taping in place, I
marked aft edge of Bottom Cowl for trimming

Monday, May 21, 2018

Finish Kit

Top Cowl fit up ( 4 hrs )

Completed Sect 45-08 Steps 6-15 leveling and centering Top Cowl. Several iterations to check and recheck alignment. Used AN3 (3/16") bolts to maintain spinner gap helped. Measuring vertical height for left front and right front corners above level reference worked to insure lateral alignment. Trimmed Aft edge ~1/8 inch - then sanded smooth. Several more iterations of sanding allowed me to ease into perfect fit along Forward Top Skin. Last, marked holes for attaching Top Cowl to hinges per Sect 45-09, Steps 1-8.

trimmed aft edge to fit

marked for drilling for rivets

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Finish Kit

Cowling Top to Bottom fitting ( 3 hrs )

Completed fitting Cowl halves to each other. Whew...lots of iterations filing small amounts - but result is great fit! (Sect 45-07, Steps 1-7). After drilling 2 holes for clecos at each side of spinner, proceeded to make alignment tool and mount to Top Cowl per Steps 1-5 at Sect 45-08.

alignment tool added.

3/16" gap set up

washer added at front compensates for expected
sag of engine over 1st 100 hrs