Feb 24, 2021     Paint Scheme       Category: Admin

I got my final paint scheme back from Plane Schemer. I really like it. They asked me a bunch of questions and then came up with several initial designs, and then worked with me over several iterations to get to this. I'm pretty happy with the homage to my USN service, but with a pretty snazzy design that included both dark and light blues and golds. 762 represents my service in the Marines. The 'G'...last name.

  Jan 30, 2021     Electrical Routing Brackets - (.1 hour)       Category: Admin

These brackets are PN F-1016H and come as a set of two that get separated and then mounted with two rivets.

  Jul 29, 2019     Bought door latches and lifts - (.2 hour) Category: Admin

One of the highly suggested improvements to the RV10 doors is the center safety latch. After much research, II bought the door mechanisms from Planearound.com. It was about $700 for both doors, delrin guides with SS pins, 2 sets of wheel pant brackets for improved strength, door strut mounts that are beefed up and modified to work with McMaster Carr seals 1120A41,, which should mount on the frame instead of the door, which is claimed to be a better fit overall and less leakage, meaning more air tight and rain proof and something you would expect on your car.

I also bought his mount kit for my Virb, which will mount on either wing or in the tie-down slots and should be fun for capturing my landings or in-flight video from outside.

Also door struts are an issue for many folks. Van's has a HD model that is a 600N version for $131 as of now.

I bought Bansbach easylift struts and ends:
B0N0F50-100-247/XXXN Gas Spring 4""(100mm) Stroke 10""(247mm) Extended Length Customer Selected Force IAF041-006 2 each

B1 M8 Hinge Eye Endfitting I96350 4 each (one for each end of the strut)


B0N0F50-100-247/600N (this is 600 Newtons force), one per door.
CeramPro�eated rod and powder coated cylinder
Rod Diameter: 8mm
Cylinder Diameter: 19mm
Rod Length: 100mm (3.93 inches)
Extended Length: 247mm (9.72 inches)
Rod Threads: M8x1.25
Cylinder Threads: M8x1.25
Normal resistance with end dampening

I ordered 2 struts and 4 ends 7/12/2019. Total cost was $73.50 with free shipping vs $262 for two struts from Van's

  Jun 15, 2019     Cee Bailey Windows - (.2 hour) Category: Admin

I got a 10% off coupon, so I ordered the full window set of solar gray windows. I won't need these for a while, but it's hard to pass up on a discount.
��tail: $1609
��scounted price: $1448.10
��x: $119.47 (8.25% - the People's Republic of California needs their cut)
��ipping: $160
��tal: $1727.57

  Jan 20, 2019     Pedal Set - (.2 hour) Category: Admin

After building and flying several RV's, one thing I wanted in my 10 was pedal sets that were more like my Baron. On the 12, my oversized foot can slide up and apply any braking while landing, which is pretty easy to do; meaning careful attention is required on landing for this. With the 10, I decided to avoid this and go with Paul's setup for a couple reasons - one, they look great, and two, the setup does a very good job of separating braking from rudder control with a very conventional setup that looks a lot like the pedals out of my old Baron. I like it.

I got my pedal set from Paul Grimstad (ControlApproach.com) in Oregon. They look great. I'll add photos when I get around to installing them. They came very well crated. I had arranged with Paul to send my Matco master cylinders to him, where installed and setup the pedals with them in place. I'm very pleased with the work quality and finish.

  Nov 30, 2018     Quick Build Wings and Fuselage Order - (.2 hour) Category: Admin

Van's would not delete the stall warner bags from the QB kit with the statement ""COULDNT DELETE SLATT WARNING FOR SAFETY AND LIABILITY REASONS"", so I'm stuck buying the stall warner stuff. I think it's humorous that an Experimental-Amateur Build aircraft would have any liability associated with it, but ok. I'm still not installing it. I will be using an AOA, which is more useful than a stall tab. I've learned through previous builds that the AOA is not only more accurate with an actual visual indication of margin to stall, but I don't have tab to catch myself on when cleaning the leading edge of the wing. The same folks that will advocate for steam gauges, mechanical compasses, and avoid autopilots all based on the idea that either new technology is perceived to be less reliable or somehow makes you less safe or detracts from your piloting skills (I've it all...) are probably cringing that I won't be installing a stall warning tab. And I use lights instead of candles at night too; I'm a wild man.

If you order a QB kit, you can't delete these parts below. I'll just have to set those aside; it's not worth the shipping and hassle to send them back, so I'll just have some great wall ornaments:
BAG 1216-1 STALL WARNER HARDWARE
BAG 527-1 STALL WARNER PARTS

The kit before starting on deductions and adds was $41,450, then they gave an $843 repeat customer discount (nice) and then $39,088. So that's a total of ~2300 off the kit price. I did buy a list of other stuff too, which included aileron trim parts (I already have a trim servo),

This covers the updated rudder pedals and part of the window costs. I deleted the rudder pedal, brake and window parts as I've bought the Control Approach pedal set, Matco brakes and wheels and plan to buy Cee Bailey windows.

I'm planning to have Tony Partain transport the QB kit to me. He charges ~$1900.

25% down on the order.

  Aug 28, 2018     The Baron is sold - (.2 hour) Category: Admin

Having sold my beloved B58 Baron, I am now free to proceed with building the RV10. I have decided to proceed with a Quick Build wings and fuselage. I don't find much challenge in building wings anymore - it's just super repetitive and time consuming. The fuselage isn't so much repetitive, but I'm not getting any younger and the extra money is a fair trade for my time.

I've also decided to use Garmin G3X avionics. I've truly enjoyed the package I built into my RV12 and want to stick with it. While it's not smart to buy avionics at this point, it is definitely smart to plan it out. Different manufacturers install their equipment differently, so questions like, ""should I use a yaw damper?"" and what servo will be installed and how are easier solved now vice later on. And I like planning. More sweat in training, less blood in battle...ooh, rah.

  Mar 21, 2017     Upgrades over standard kit - (.5 hour) Category: Admin

I have spent a great deal of time researching biding an RV10. A little point of note is that I considered building this before proceeding with my RV12, but decided the 12 was a better commuter option to get it done quickly and replace my Baron 58. But once the 12 was flying, it was readily apparent that I needed more space and definitely wanted to go faster on cross-country trips with greater range. So, I went back to the 10, and with full support from my amazing wife, I am building a 10.

This leads me to Tim Olsen's builder page, myrv10.com, where he has done a wonderful job assembling not only his journal of build and flight, but made a great resource for other builders. I'm planning several upgrades.