Airventure 2024 Recap

 So Airventure just passed and the annual pilgrimage to Osh Kosh has ended.  They reported over 13,000 aircraft operations over the course of the event, averaging about 1,200 or so a day.  That is truly impressive!

On the building front, life has been getting in the way and keeping me busy from building.  Between working 6 days a week and the kids keeping me busy, I haven't had any time to build.  I am hoping to get some time next week on my vacation or at the latest begin next month when school resumes and I get some free time again.

Visited the famous Fisk Approach

On the Airventure front, Anthony and I went out once again and spent a few days there.  I went out a day earlier this year deliberately to attend the RV-10 Dinner at SOS Brothers.  Thanks to Martin for arranging a fun event and opportunity to meet a bunch of other builders.  I ran into the usual "Social Media" folks like Christine and Tye (Plane Lady), Gil (Build Fly Go), Austin and Amanda (Austin Manke), and a bunch of other builders.  Many builders who were active in the VAF and Facebook group were also present and I enjoyed chatting with them and picking their brains.  It was nice to meet guys who were finished building and flying, some approaching that point, and some who were just starting out as well.  It was a really good mix of folks and productive conversation.

Ran into some friends from home.

I took a few different seminars, some about building, and some about flying as well.  I took the RV oriented Fiberglass Seminar and then took the Fiberglass 101 workshop and built a small little project to demonstrate basic skills.  Fiberglass seems to be a little tricky to get started and I am going to have to take the full version of that class prior to diving deeper into bigger parts and such.  The RV-10 is a bit heavier on fiberglass then other RV kits due to the cabin top and canopy. but everyone says it isn't too bad once you learn the basics.  I will definitely be taking the RV Sport Air Fiberglass Workshop when that time nears and putting off my tips and such until later.

Fiberglass 101 Project

I took some good seminars on flying stuff which is important as I feel staying proficient and current as a pilot is truly important.  This included some foreflight seminars, avionics seminars, and some general IFR flying stuff.  I really enjoy the humorous side of Gary Reeves presentations and the other presenters were good as well.  

I also spent a good amount of time browsing the trade show and various vendors who were on display.  I've made the decision that I want to try and preplan a lot of what I may need later to make things easier for access purposes.  I see stories of builders climbing into the deep tail cone to put together things later and that sounds terrible, so why not do whatever I can earlier if possible.  Things like servo mounts, antennas, etc. can be done early and allow easier final assembly later.  To go along with that I wanted to start narrowing down things and had some productive conversations about that.

I spoke with Autumn from Evoke Aviation.  Evoke is the premier paint and scheme designer when it comes to RV planes.  Their planes have regularly won awards at Airventure and they have amazing attention to detail.  The big part is they spend a good amount of time cleaning up the fiberglass work and making sure all of them are spot on to ensure a beautiful finished product.  Their process has proven time and time again they know what they are doing and I am planning to use them when the time comes.  In 2022, I was able to see Kristin and Tom's beautiful RV-10 on display, and this year their was another beautiful RV-10 on display once again.  I spent some time talking to Autumn as she was the only one around that afternoon, and learned a bit about the scheme design stuff.  Autumn is one of the designers and spent some time talking to me.  I explained how I'd like to do a unique logo of sorts to personalize the plane.  I discussed my idea for the concept about it and she really liked the idea.  So when the time comes, I look forward to working with them on this.  And then it will be a nice cross country to Alabama when I am ready to actually paint it.

Kristin and Tom's beautiful RV-10

Evokes 2024 RV-10 on display

I spent a few minutes talking with Paul with FlyLED, who makes amazing lighting products for the RV line.  Everything is reasonably priced and high quality versus much of the certified and alternative offerings.  Being a experimental, I can take advantage of this type of stuff and avoid the craziness of certified alternatives.  I am planning to go with his Original kit for the wing tips, two seven star lights for the leading edges, and the rudder light for the tail light.  It will be an awesome package, I just need to decide if I want to do a "beacon" which is very inexpensive if I chose to do so.  I am a bit of a safety and visibility nut so I am leaning towards it, but still not 100%.

FlyLED Essentials Lights

FlyLED Seven Star (Right- Landing, Left - Taxi)

I visited some avionics companies and also some panel builders to get an idea for what I like.  I went out to Airventure with a serious interest into Advanced Flight Systems because of their airframe harness kits and the plug and play setup of their Advanced Control Module.  After playing with their system, I liked the graphics pixel quality but the actual interface graphics are extremely "cheap" feeling and the interface seems a bit clunky to me.  Now I know I am probably a bit bias because I use all Garmin in the planes I currently fly, but their interface and graphics are just leaps and bounds better.  I spoke to an Advanced rep and was overall unimpressed with the conversation, in fact it was one of the owners and he seemed uninterested in discussing with me my project and answering my questions which put me off a lot.  I also checked out the Avidyne booth to play with their IFR navigators and although they are nice, the interface is totally different.  It doesn't seem to bad to learn but having a big change in workflow could be a detriment when wanting to become proficient later.  Another thing I noticed, was the Advanced Flight doesn't offer any in person or training coursework for their products, just the manual.  So you basically are on your own to learn the software and finding a CFI or someone else familiar may be difficult.  This is another concern I have with going the Advanced Flight route.

Advanced Flight 6600 Display

On the retrospect, I visited the Garmin booth and attended some of their seminars on panel planning and equipment.  I was overall impressed with the equipment and the interface and graphics are simple to understand.  I played with their demo setups, asked some questions, and was given full attention and answers from their rep.  It was a relief to have someones full attention who enjoyed chatting with me and talking about my build.  With that, I went into main hangars and talked to both Stein Air and Aerotronics about panel building.  If I went with Garmin, I think I'd definetely have someone do the main panel build because the Garmin equipment has a large amount of intricate wiring and "leads" that need to be put properly in place for everything to work together.  Both builders offer this service and they both work with multiple vendors for other equipment as well.  This would allow me to order everything from panel, avionics, oxygen, switches, co detector, antennae, and more from one vendor.  Doing it this way would allow me to work with one person at either company and basically have a direct contact to "build out" my panel and system as I go.  The major difference I found was that the SteinAir way is to build the panel and the builder brings the wiring to the panel leads as needed.  Whereas the Aerotronics way is to build everything to a few CPC connectors which the builder brings the majority of wiring to the CPC connectors instead of the actual panel.  This allows Aerotronics a bit more flexibility and easier troubleshooting if their are issues.

Garmin G3X Touch Display

I was overall impressed with both reps from the panel builders and they were a pleasure to chat with.  Both provided good insight into the Garmin G3X system, into their companies way of doing things, and they all were supportive of my goal to install things as they are accessible along the way.  The one consensus which I agreed with was waiting for the big avionics as long as possible so that if anything new came out, I'd be able to get that and have the most up to date tech.  After my discussion, unless something drastic happens along the way, I think I am now leaning towards a Garmin setup eventually.  I still got some time to mull it over and decide.

I visited the Van's booth during the show and they had updated their display RV-10.  They have partnered with a few of the popular accessory companies and installed many things into the updated plane.  This included things like an Aerosport Products interior, Crow harnesses, Control Approach rudder pedals, a Garmin system, and an Evoke paint scheme.  Its really sharp looking and they did a nice job with it.  I've been watching all of these companies and things they put out and there products do look good.  I am really interested in the Control Approach rudder pedals, but I have to see when I get further along what I want to do.

Van's Stock Rudder Pedals

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Control Approach Rudder Pedals

Updated Vans Show Plane

So overall the show was a great time.  There was a lot of positive interactions with other builders and even genuine aviation enthusiasts.  My buddy and I were able to make meaningful connections, meet old friends, make new ones, and enjoy the aviation world.  The airshows were fun, the evening show was spectacular as always, and it was a good escape from the day to day life.  Now it's time to go back to reality and I need to get back in the garage to start working on this plane.  Until next time, see ya around!

Airventure 2022

 So I am back from Airventure 2022.  It was an absolutely amazing trip and I got to see so much of it.  My best friend Anthony came out with me and we utilized both of our networking abilities to maximize the trip.  It was my first Airventure and I honestly felt like a kid in a candy shop through a lot of it.  The constant buzzing of aircraft overhead, whirling of helicopters, and smell of low lead was just amazing all week.

Had to take the EAA Arch pic.

We went out on monday morning, flying commercial to Appleton.  I have to admit that Appleton is a great little airport. It actually is smaller than Islip here on Long Island and had a true small town feel to it.  It has a single TSA lane, single restaurant in the terminal, and only a few gates which makes for easy travel.  The moment we landed, we sensed the difference in ambiance then the stuffy New York attitude.  Everyone we ran into was friendly, talkative, and genuinely just good people.  It was a serious refreshment for me.

After we grabbed the rental car we headed into town, but our room wasn't ready so we couldn't check in.  We opted to head to the airport and meet up with our friend Dave who was going to be our "VIP tour guide" all week.  Dave is a former Osh Kosh Tower Controller for many years who recently retired.  Dave's wife Cathy is also a current controller and worked the show this year.  Dave was there to hang out with friends and support his wife and her team all week.  The camaraderie between the controller force there was really awesome to witness first hand, everyone is very supportive in that group.  Dave was able to arrange us a tower tour, visit Fisk Arrival, the north air boss tower (The "Tiki" Tower), and showed us all over the grounds.  The air traffic controller in me was so jealous I'd never be able to work this event, since I work in a center.  It was truly an honor to witness and understand how these guys and gals work all this traffic in such a coordinated manner.  The procedures in place are truly exceptional and they do a great job.

OSH Tower - Home of the "Pink Shirts"

OSH Tower Position (Works Rwy 18/36) - Notice the squares and dots on the glass.  These are to help them visualize where the actual dot/square on the runway is, it can be tough to visualize at this angle/distance.

Fisk Approach - These guys were a hoot to hang out and chat with.

North Air Boss Tower  (The "Tiki Tower)
L to R - Dave, Bob, Me, Anthony, and Cathy

I of course also had to stop by at the NATCA tent.  Since I am a controller for a living, it was a required stop on the itinerary, beside my friend and coworker Karoline was working in the tent this year.  If you haven't been, NATCA runs some great seminars every year about working with ATC and how to utilize ATC in emergencies and other situations.  They also run a few great scenario based seminars where they discuss things form the pilot and ATC perspective.  The best part, is many of these are eligible for WINGS credit if you participate.  Definitely check out their tent next year if you have a moment.  And for those with families, they have a section in the Kidventure activity area too.

Karoline and Me making friends with the Texans (Kevin from ZFW and a IAH controller)

Tail Kit Has Begun!

Inventory of Tail Kit 

Well I have successfully completed the inventory of the tail kit.  I luckily had no backordered parts so I can get going without any hiccups.  After about 5 hours of tedious counting and sorting, the small hardware is sorted and boxed away.  The skins and larger pieces are in the middle of the garage, I need to sort through them a bit more when I get a free minute.  I would like to condense the wing and tail kit boxes together if I can to free up more floor space.  I will probably do that after I get back from my visit to Osh Kosh for Airventure 2022!

Chapter 6: The Vertical Stabilizer Begins...

Now that inventory is completed, I pulled out the beginning parts and got started on section 6, the Vertical Stabilizer.  The beginning has you do some cutting on the spar caps and lots of match drilling.  I know the kit is mostly final size drilled, but some things like these spar caps have no holes when they arrive.  So I busted out the old air drill and went to town, I noticed it makes my compressor run non stop, so I am debating trying out my cordless drill for the next part and compare.  I know many have debated the ease of use vs the heavier tool, but I want to try it myself.  The other thing I noticed is my band saw it a little on the "touchy" side.  Any little movement and I honestly think it has some wiggle into the band itself.  I was trying to be as straight and precise, but it was not the prettiest thing I have done.  Cutting a 16" straight line on such a narrow piece is not very easy to do.  It has plenty of edge distance and I got lots of deburring practice and cleaned it up a bit.  

Spar Caps Cut and Cleco'd

Spar Caps Cleco'd To the VS Spar

After that I dove into and started drilling the Spar Caps to the Spar web.  This wasn't terrible but it is lots of drill, cleco, uncleco, deburr, cleco and repeat.  I can see why many of the older builders mentioned the final size holes being a godsend for us newer builds.  I can see how this extra step on a lot of parts to upsize everything can be a pain.  I found the time outside so far relaxing and enjoyable.  I hope to get the flange side done this week before leaving for Osh Kosh, my hope is to get the ribs together and maybe have a skin cleco'd before I leave.  

Airventure 2022 is Finally Here!

So Airventure is finally here.  I have been waiting for a full year since my best friend and I decided we were going to go.  It's been bittersweet to plan and think about everything.  Getting to meet some of the builders I follow online, seeing some of their completed projects, and also seeing lots of products on the market in person is going to be amazing.  One of the big reasons I got into the Van's project was everyone always spoke of the Van's Community as being the best of them out there.  The builders I have interacted with and followed all talk about that and it seems many of them build a lot of those bonds at Airventure.  I hope to meet many builders at the RV Social or Van's banquet.  I also am hoping to get some time to walk through the Homebuild camping/parking and see some finished RV-10's.  I'd love to meet some of the builders as well and pick their brain about things they opted to do or not do on their project.  One of the hardest things is making these decisions, but luckily I have some time for the big ticket items.

My buddy and I will be flying out on Monday and staying in Appleton for the 4 days we are staying.  Unfortunately we both have younger kids, and I don't think either of us could afford a divorce over this trip.  We are both blessed to have such amazing and understanding wives to let us embark on this adventure.  It might not be the big adventure of flying there ourselves, but that will come in time.  We are both in our 30's and we hopefully will have many more years to try and attend in a plane ourselves.

As I mentioned, I hope to see some items like lighting and rudder trim.  I know some builders use the aerosport product, some have a servo based system, and others just put a wedge on.  But I think taking a look at the various builds and picking the brains would be beneficial.  I am hoping to get to a few seminars and also take a trip out to checkout Fisk and maybe the tower, I am a controller after all and seeing that operation would be awesome.  So until I get back to Airventure, thanks for reading and Rock you wings.  Welcome to Airventure 2022!

Got reposted by EAA for my Airventure post! 

Black Friday Shopping

 So I waited around for this weekend to take advantage of the Black Friday deals at Harbor Freight.  Combining the sales and my 10% off my purchase I was able to save over $120 on my 1,000 tool purchase.  I got some safety gear, my compressor, other air tools, and some other odds and ends.  My DRDT2 also arrived and I have to finish setting up the tables for it. That’s where my workshop stands for now, until my Synergy class next week.  After class I will setup the tool box and organize things, I honestly have no clue what some of these items do, so this class should be enlightening.

In other news, my flight training continues. I had my oral exam for my instrument rating this morning.  It went quite well and I was successful in completing that. Unfortunately for my, I had to take a discontinuance due to high winds and low ceilings.  Trying to fly a checkride in 32 knot gusts is not my idea of a fun time.  We will reconvene for the flight portion after I get back from Atlanta, hopefully with some nicer weather and calmer winds.  

Airventure 2021

 Well after a year off, Airventure has returned for 2021.  I unfortunately cannot attend with my work schedule this year, but I am definitely going next year.  My best friend and I have agreed that we will head out commercially and stay 3 days to explore.  I already am mentally building my list of the have to sees in the exhibition area.  I definitely want to stroll around the homebuilt areas and get to meet and pick the brains of the builders.  It would be really great to meet and talk with a few of the builders I followed that had inspired this project.  

I'll be honest, I've had Live ATC going the last three days monitoring the Fisk arrival and watching it on Foreflight's internet traffic.  I am disappointed I couldn't go, but glad that I have a plan for next year.  Any tips for finding a reasonable hotel would be appreciated, it appears most hotels only book a year out, so next summer hasn't quite opened yet.  

I also am looking to possibly find an RV-10 demo flight.  Van's has restarted their demo flights and I think its wise to reach out to Zach, the east coast rep, to try and setup something.  I can use it as another excuse for a cross country and it will help me wrap up this instrument rating as well.

Update on my Project Prep

I have been working on reorganizing the garage and getting ready for this.  I finally got the overhead storage and all of the shelving put up so I can get the floor cleared out.  This also made room for me to buy a brand new tool chest from Harbor Freight.  The US General tool bench is great and I bought an add on end cabinet to increase my storage.  As I get more of the garage cleaned out, I plan to get started on building the project table and the air piping.  I am hoping the lumber cost drops a bit before I start that build, but sometimes you need to just bite the bullet.  Until my next update... I'll try to remember and snap some pictures of the new shelving and workbenches.