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Mike Robbins |
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Hi, I'm Mike Robbins. I live in Samamish, Washington, which is just east of Seattle. My RV-8 project is my third experimental aircraft project: I've already built a Volksplane and a Kitfox. I've tried to learn from my past projects, and also from other RV-8 builders. I have made several modifications to the RV-8 that will hopefully prove useful and that other builders might find useful... check them out below.
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Fuselage | ||||||||||||
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![]() ![]() ![]() This shows the fuselage stiffener/bracket for the ELT and strobe power supply. This modification to the aft baggage compartment is to hopefully hold two folding bikes (Bike Friday, can be seen at www.bikefriday.com). My wife Jennifer and I are on the right... will our bikes fit? Read on. |
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![]() ![]() ![]() I shortened the aft throttle as it will be (hopefully) rarely used, and put a cover over it for flying with kids, or anyone else I don't want messing with the controls. I've also added cockpit storage bins I'm installing along the right side. There are a total of three, the last being made from the Aft Cabin Cover, F-876. The forward and center bins were inspired by the ones Randy Lervold installed, which were in the front bay only. I have extended the concept back to the center bay and the cabin cover. All are installed with nutplates, so are removable. The pic on the right shows the aft throttle, aileron trim, forward throttle quadrant, and a few other odds and ends. |
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Finish kit | ||||||||||||
Here's a view of the unfinished skirt showing the buildup along the aft sides to seal the gap and the aft end buildup, and a closer look at the aft buildup around the canopy rail. Finally, the inside surface of the skirt gets painted prior to final attachment to the frame. The extra time he has spent here working with fiberglass will prevent wind leakage in the back. I'm using PPG Concept for all interior and exterior surfaces. |
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fairings. |
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Panel & electrical | ||||||||||||
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Panel almost finished and ready to install in the plane. Looks like this might take more than a weekend! On the right you can see how I cut my front stick in two and welded on a collar so it can be removed when I have to crawl under the panel. |
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Firewall forward | ||||||||||||
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![]() ![]() Firewall just before installing the engine mount, arrangement of the firewall components on the right side including the manifold pressure line going to Van's manifold pressure gage and the LASAR computer, and how I routed the purge valve control cable for the AirFlow Performance fuel injection system. You can also see how I beefed up the rear baffle holding the oil cooler. There is also a .062 plate bonded and riveted to the back of the baffle. All angles are epoxied on as well as riveted. I may also add a brace from the baffle to the engine. |
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![]() ![]() I added an alternate air door on the airbox in case the front inlet becomes blocked. The center pic shows the components on the left side. I installed all the firewall components before I mounted the engine, and I wouldn't change a thing. I am especially pleased with the orientation of the prop governor cable. Right pic: getting close to paint. |
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Paint | ||||||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() Let the painting begin. I'm getting to where I sort of like orange peel. This is the setup I used for painting the wings. Here this wing is being etched and alodined, one done and one to go. |
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Flying and beyond | ||||||||||||
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I finally got around to fitting my folding Bike Friday in the rear baggage compartment with only partial success. I originally had hoped to be able to fit two bikes in the back, but was able to fit only one, sitting at a slight angle. Also it is quite a hassle to get it in and out, so much so that it makes it impractical for me. | ||||||||||||
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I made these rudder gust locks out of piano
hinge wire. There is one for each side.
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This locks both the elevators
and ailerons. It's made of aluminum tubing, but could be made of steel.
Best not to forget this one on the preflight.
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Got this material from the F-1
Rocket folks. It's a static cling that seems to work well. I left a test
piece out over the summer and it didn't do any damage to the plexiglass
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Strakes - Before
installing the strakes I did a series of power off stalls flaps up and
down. Then installed them the next day and repeated the stall series at
the same altitude and about the same temperature. I consistently got a
four knot reduction in stall speed. May not seem like much, but it makes a
difference. I also found that my full stall landings felt much more
comfortable. I can approach at a slower speed and touch down slower. I did
have a tail shake in a full stall, and the strakes did reduce it. Didn't
affect the top end at all.
Source: Bradford Heinitz, The Aerodyne Shop, 360 403 8737 |
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