Benjamin Kottke — Van's RV-7

Central Point, OR · Last updated Mar 23, 2021 · 23.8 hours logged

Benjamin is building a Van's RV-7 (Lycoming engine, Hartzell propeller, Dynon panel). Project start date: Jan 25, 2019.

Mar 23, 2021 — Aft top skins (8.8 hours · Fuselage)

Finally getting to rivet the aft top skins on the fuselage! I could reach about 70% of the rivets by myself but as the skin comes down on the second side you have to have two people. My dad helped me out and we got it mostly complete. I'm really glad I waited so long and put in the static ports and drilled the AHARS bracket before final riveting of the skin. Also, I bolted in the right hand seat belt bracket while the left side was still open. I'll have to bolt in the other one when I'm inside bucking the last set. Really trying to go in the tail-cone as few times as possible!

Nov 28, 2018 — Elevator trim inset (2 hours · Empennage)

The left elevator has the trim tab and you have to bend the ends in to accommodate it. It was tricky getting the wooden wedge to stay in place for the bend, but in the end it came out ok. Hint: do NOT use the “pull to remove” tape tabs for wall hooks. It's too thick of tape and the wedge does not stay well. Also the tape will stick to one side, rip apart, and it's terrible to remove the tape residue from the primered surface.

Nov 20, 2018 — Elevators (13 hours · Empennage)

Building the elevators.