N439RC; Ron's RV-12

RV-12 Demo Flight at AirVenture 2010

Ron Chisholm — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:35:18 +0000

The highlight of AirVenture 2010 was easily the morning that I was able to get a “demo” ride in an actual RV-12. I got up early to get my “ticket”, then returned later in the morning for my demo ride.

I flew in N912VA, which is one of the early models completed and owned by Van’s Aircraft.

Video ONE: “Taxi”

Video TWO: “Take-off” (Notice the PINK dot we pass over).

Video THREE: “Return”

I absolutely loved the demo flight, and only reinforced my decision to go with the RV-12.

On my last morning at AirVenture 2010, I got to meet “the man” himself. Pictured below is me and Richard VanGrunsven, the proprietor at Van’s Aircraft … and the complete family of RV aircraft!

Oshkosh 2010 (AirVenture)

Ron Chisholm — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:09:05 +0000

I took the weekend off to prepare for a first couple days of AirVenture 2010 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This is the largest aviation gathering in the world. Oshkosh had received more than 10 inches of rain by the time the show started, so rather than pitching my tent on the ground … I put it into the back of my truck.

It was at AirVenture 2009 where I sat in my first RV-12, and made the decision that this was the model aircraft I was going to build. I was excited about this year’s event, for I had a year of building under my belt and was looking forward to seeing the various RV-12s that had been built during the previous year.

Below are some other photos from the couple days I spent at AirVenture 2010.

I was there for the opening concert … “Chicago” … which was awesome!

Wing Sling

Ron Chisholm — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:03:30 +0000

After completing “lefty” I had to make some room to start the right wing. I had to come up with a way to store the completed wing, so I had to clean up the garage, rearrange some things … and make the “wing sling” contraption in the photograph. I got the plans from various posts at www.vansairforce.com.

The final photo shows “lefty” safely stored away. Time to get ready for AirVenture 2010. (Oshkosh).

Closing Up the Wing-Tip

Ron Chisholm — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:58:15 +0000

After all the skins were riveted in place on the top and bottom of the left wing, it was time to close up the wing-tip. The tip has a handle built into it to assist in its handling.

More work on Lefty

Ron Chisholm — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:23:32 +0000

End of the school year has brought with it more baseball, more kids activities, a family vacation, which equals less time with the project. I managed to get some more skins onto “lefty” …. below is a collection of photos of the wing in various states of completion

The first couple pictures show where I prepared and primed the step, where the skin is ”doubled” for strength. This is the spot on the wing where you step when entering the cockpit.

The next picture is the “access” port next to the stall switch. It provides a way to get at the wiring in the event that repairs are required.

First Skins

Ron Chisholm — Fri, 14 May 2010 03:37:15 +0000

With some assistance from my lovely wife tonight, we flipped “Lefty” over in order to start the skinning process. I had to start by peeling back the blue plastic coating on the aluminum skins, then clecoing the skin into place. The process is pretty simple, and I am still amazed how well all the components fit together. I put most the clecos in place tonight, and the riveting process will start soon. Good thing I have a pneumatic rivet gun!

I had my wife sign her name to the inside of the wing, to put a personal touch on the plane. My kids have signed other places as well.

More pictures of the wing as the skins go down.

The Wires Between

Ron Chisholm — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:30:39 +0000

After completing both the stall switch and the terminal bracket, I had to connect the wire between them. There is only one wire, for the fuselage carries the ground. In addition to running the wire between the stall switch and the terminal bracket, I ran some fishing line through the wing ribs in preparation for the lighting kit. I did not purchase the light kit at this time (due to funding issues), but I will need to use this fishing line to pull the navigation light wires through at the time I purchase the lighting kit.

Stall Switch

Ron Chisholm — Wed, 12 May 2010 03:11:47 +0000

Another detail that has to be completed before the skins go onto the wings is the installation of the stall warning switch (only on the left wing). It is a simple micro-switch with a tongue on it that protrude through the wing skin at the leading edge of the wing. During a “stall” (when the wing stop flying), the pressure changes at this point in the airfoil enough to activate the tongue/switch combination. The switch will warn the pilot of the condition, by activating a horn or alarm in the cockpit. A very simple, yet important device.

Terminal Brackets

Ron Chisholm — Tue, 11 May 2010 02:54:43 +0000

Now that the ribs are attached to the main spar (left wing), it was time to work on some of the wing details. I started work on the terminal brackets, and the Teflon pieces that attach to them. The Teflon (insulation) pieces start out as a simple square of material and a gauge. The gauge provides the location for drilling final holes and trimming off material so it fits into the terminal bracket. The terminal bracket is where the electricity will pass from the fuselage to the removable wing. Because the wings are removable, there cannot be wires that pass between the wing and the body. Terminal points located where they meet will be how the power is passed into the wings.

Ribs onto Spar

Ron Chisholm — Sun, 02 May 2010 03:20:21 +0000

After several weeks, I finally put in enough time to get ALL the ribs deburred and straightened. I did the ribs for both the left and right wings. Figured I’d get them all done, even though my plan is to complete one wing at a time. So now the fun begins again. The first photo shows the first main rib attached to the left spar; followed by the rest!

I then tipped the wing horizontally, and began to cleco the nose ribs into place. Once I was comfortable with their fit, I then cleaned, primed, and riveted each rib to the spar.

Several days later … we now have a spar full of ribs! It is starting to look like a wing!