Experimental Airplanes?

[Lionclaw]

I recently started working on a Vans RV-9A. Unfortunately (fortunately? lol) most of the fab work is done, and it's a matter of working the parts into the shape of an airplane. I keep trying to come up with nifty ideas for modifications (excuses to use the CNC).

Anyone else working on similiar projects? Manage to make good use of your shop?

[gth629e]

Andy,

I work in a lab and workshop that does this kind of thing all the time. Are you building a full scale RV-9A?

I work in the aerospace department at Georgia Tech. I am currently working on a coaxial heli with deploying wings (rotor converts to props). It shouldn't be long until our first test flight. Man these projects seem to drag on lol.

[Lionclaw]

Hi Brian. It's full scale. I've got the empenage almost finished, wing kits should be here first week of december.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pilotandy

I'm sorta having fun building it, but it seems mostly like busy work. I like to problem solve and design stuff...

Match drill 200 holes...
Debur 200 holes...
Dimple 200 holes...
Drive 200 rivets...

Rinse, repeat....

[skippy]

Hi Andy,
Nice work! There are two photos that show what looks like a hydraulic riveter that possibly does dimpling and cutting as well just by changing the jaws. What brand is it and how much did it cost you?
Skippy

[Spinnetti]

Next time, scratch build something! - Lots of problem solving there. If I'm ever brave enough to try it, I want to build a 3/4 scale replica FW190 using the RV build methods. Build it all in Solidworks, water jet cut all the sheet metal and cnc all the hard bits... that will be a project... (I had a WAR FW190 - its plans only and you build everything including the landing gear. It was fiberglass though, so I sold it as I really want metal).

Have fun on the RV.. If (when?) I chicken out on my dream, I'll probably do a RV8.

Originally Posted by Lionclaw Hi Brian. It's full scale. I've got the empenage almost finished, wing kits should be here first week of december. http://picasaweb.google.com/pilotandy I'm sorta having fun building it, but it seems mostly like busy work. I like to problem solve and design stuff... Match drill 200 holes... Debur 200 holes... Dimple 200 holes... Drive 200 rivets... Rinse, repeat....

[Lionclaw]

Skippy - It's a US Tool model 114 pneumatic rivet squeezer. I got it on eBay for $200. I've seen them at www.averytools.com and www.browntool.com as well, but they usually run $400-$500 new. The design is a clone of the CP214 riveter.

Spnnetti - Scratch building would be fun. I've got the flying bug right now, so getting done is really my priority. I also would have chosen the RV-8, but the wifey doesn't like the tandem seating arrangment

[jackie293]

I have helped build five RV's 7's 8's and one 10. The only place I saw that a cnc machine would come in handy is the panel. Go Luck, N343D

Jackie Gilbert Jackie293@msn.com