Smitty's RV-9A - Experimental Aircraft from Van's Aircraft The RV-9A from Van's Aircraft Monday, February 08, 2010 -
Howdeeeeee! I'm building an RV-9A from Van's Aircraft. Take your shoes off and sit a spell. Give me a holler if ya' got questions or ya' just wanna chew the fat about RV's.
 
Howdy Ya'll!
Howdy! I building an RV-9A! I'm an aviation nut and am excited about building my RV-9A from Van's Aircraft. Have a look around!
Do what yer' Momma said...
Go Play!
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Construction Log
Preparation
Empennage
- Horizontal Stabilizer (49:40)
- Vertical Stabilizer (21:15)
- Rudder (32:15)
- Right Elevator (35:45)
- Left Elevator (30:50)
Wings
- Inventory & Setup (9:30)
- Left Wing Prep (54:30)
- Left Fuel Tank (45:20)
- Left Wing Skins (46:10)
- Right Wing Prep (34:15)
- Right Fuel Tank (47:50)
- Right Wing Skins (40:15)
- Ailerons (54:30)
- Flaps (40:30)
- Rods and ends (18:45)
Fuselage
- Fuselage Parts List
- Inventory and Setup (7:15)
- FireWall (14:30)
- F-704 Bulkhead (13:25)
- F-705 Bulkhead (14:20)
- Other Bulkheads
   and Longerons
(17:30)

- Tailcone (29:30)
- Center Section (35:15)
- Forward Section (52:40)
- Forward Assembly (24:30)
- Skins/Baggage Area (46:30)
- Seats & Seat Floors (30:15)
- Flaps & Gear Mounts (18:15)
- Fuselage Plumbing (14:0)
Finish Kit
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RV-9A Construction Log:
Total RV-9A construction time so far: 879 Hours, 15 Minutes
Current Construction Phase: Fuselage Plumbing
Here's the latest entry:
Ran the fuel line from the switch to the facet pump2/6/2010 - Ran the fuel line from the switch to the facet pump

I saved this run for last because I knew it would the easiest to do. I only had to do a gentle bend at the end to connect the 3/8 inch fuel line to the 90 degree fitting on the facet pump.

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Why the RV-9A?
Why the RV-9A? Take a look! The RV-9A is a 2-seat all-aluminum airplane, designed to be an easy-to-fly, economical and versatile aircraft. It has an average cruise of about 180mph and only burns about 7.5gph. It was designed for day-to-day flying, local trips and short cross-countries, with occasional long flights. Thanks to it's larger wings and long slotted flaps, even low time pilots find it easy to fly and land. Unlike it's sister aircraft, the RV-7A, the RV-9A it is not aerobatic. That's OK with me, since I like the contents of my stomach to stay where they are. I helped a friend of mine assemble the empennage on his RV-7A and I have already noticed that the RV-9A empennage is much easier to build. As of February 12, 2007, Van's Aircraft has over 4,997 aircraft completed by everday common folk using the skills they aquired in the building process.
Smittys Blog
Video: The Aviators TV Series Trailer - www.TheAviators.TV
For Monday, Nov 2, 2009

The Aviators is a new and exciting TV series covering the people, the places, and the planes of North American aviation. The show will premiere in the United States via Public Broadcasting Syndication in the summer of 2010 and shortly thereafter internationally. For more information or to subscribe for updates, visit the official website at www.TheAviators.TV.

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Don't loose your N Number!
For Friday, Oct 30, 2009

Several years ago I chose an "N" number for my RV-9A aircraft project and reserved it on the FAA Website. Every year the FAA would send me a post card informing that it was about to expire and I had to "re-up" to continue the reservation. It's only 10 bucks a year. No big deal.

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Pilots take care of their own
For Monday, Oct 26, 2009

Several years back, I got laid off from a job where I was working as a contract computer programmer. The company decided to "out-source" the whole department. I've never been laid off before so I really didn't know what to do next.

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Random RV Aircraft Pics - just fer fun...
Tod WatkinsTod Watkins
RV-9A

Hey! Why not send me a picture of your RV, or any RV related photo? If it passes inspection (my wifes scrutiny) I will post it! Just attach your photo to an email to Smitty@SmittysRV.com along with a short description. Click here to see the RV Photo Album.
The "cover your butt" section
This website was built to document my work on my RV-9A in compliance with the FAA requirements needed to certify my aircraft. My experiences and comments are by no means to be considered as instructions on how to build an RV-9A or any other aircraft.
Smitty's Blog
Video: The Aviators TV Series Trailer - www.TheAviators.TV
Don't loose your N Number!
Pilots take care of their own
Video: RV-12 , John's First Flight
Video: NBAA, AOPA Will Begin Co-Hosting Light Business Airplane Conferences
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