Smitty's RV-9A - Experimental Aircraft from Van's Aircraft The RV-9A from Van's Aircraft Wednesday, March 10, 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!
Navigation
Homepage
Log Search
RV Resources
Van's Air Force Expanded Forum Search
Email Me
Smitty on Twitter Smitty on FaceBook
  RV-6A RV6A RV6 RV-6A RV7A RV7 RV-9A RV-9 RV9 RV-8A RV-8 RV8 RV-10 RV10 aviation aircraft Van's Aircraft RV8 RV8A RV-8 RV-8A RV-6 RV6 RV-6A RV6A RV-9 RV-9A RV9 RV9A RV10 RV-10 aopa eaa aviation experimental homebuilt airplane aircraft plane oshkosh
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)
- Tail Feathers (11:0)
Finish Kit
RV Google Search
This Google search engine only looks for information on specific RV-related websites.
Add this Search Engine to your website!
RV-9A Construction Log:
Total RV-9A construction time so far: 890 Hours, 15 Minutes
Current Construction Phase: Tail Feathers
Here's the latest entry:
Started work on the Elevator Push Rod3/3/2010 - Started work on the Elevator Push Rod

Yes, I've lost my mind and started drawing pictures. NOT! Actually this is my idea for marking the end pieces on the push rod where the pop-rivets will go. I simply put the push rod ends down on the drawing and transferred the marks with a fine sharpie.

Search my Construction Log:
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.

Read More >>         (0 comments)


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.

Read More >>         (0 comments)


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.

Read More >>         (1 comments)

Random RV Aircraft Pics - just fer fun...
Bill Repucci's RV-9Bill Repucci's RV-9
It is a -9, FP prop driven by an O-290. This picture is of the plane right before touch down at Goose Creek Airport in North Carolina.

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
Events and News
Aviation Events
Aviation Events around Northeast TX
Aviation News
RV Groups & Support
All RV's - Matronics
Yahoo - RV7A & 9A
Rivet Bangers
Van's Air Force
The RV Squadron
RV Information
Van's Aircraft
EAA Homebuilders
RV Resources
RV Photo Album
Completed RV-9's
RV-7/9A Drawings
RV Email Archive
How I Did Stuff
Pop-Rivet Dimpler 101
My Wing Jig
My Wing Cradle
Wing Cradle Mod
Tilting Tank Jig
Delrin Aileron Stops
Nutplate Preparation
Fiberglass 101
Videos
Oshkosh Motivator
Avery Tools Visit
Texas RV Fly-in
Light Sport Aircraft Review
Slide Shows
Alliance Air Show 2006
Oshkosh 2007
North Texas RV Builders Flyin
Oshkosh 2008
Misc Goodies
Fuselage Parts List
Van's "The List" Search
How to Land an RV
Sealing Fuel Tank Leaks
My Tools
Fix a Heavy Wing
Paint Possibilities
Build an RV Website
Electrical Stuff
Bob Collins Engine
Oshkosh 2008 LIVE!
EAA Events
EAA Sport Pilot Tour
Aviation - RV-9A Aircraft