Fall 2024 Update:

 Since the last update I have gotten a lot of small final detail items done. The RV-7 is now ready for its first flight! 

The weight and balance measurements are done and now I’m in the process of scheduling the airworthiness inspection and making sure that the aircraft, engine and propellor logbooks are up to date and correct.

The only parts I’m working on are the wheel pants but I don’t need or want them for the first flight because more drag is better for breaking in the engine.

I have run the engine several times and adjusted the idle speed and mixture. I also did a short taxi test,  adahrs vibration test, magnetometer interference test and initial magnetometer calibration. All results were positive so I’m looking forward to getting the inspection done.

Database updates in progress on G3X:

Fuel tank quantity sensor calibration:

Weighing in progress:

A lot of back and forth to find the best way to level the fuselage using the lift table:

The scales from EAA chapter 1016 worked great. I’m happy with the 1177 lb weight considering that the BRS parachute system is around 39lbs and that I have a backup alternator and a nice interior. (These scales are designed for cars and the unused sensor had a 1 lb indication on it which I deducted from the total!)

The electronic level made it easy:

Marking points for the datum:

Avionics ground power plug in place. (This makes it easy to update and configure everything with the cowl on.)

Engine sump heater plug and cowl flap installed:

The hinged lower cowl holder is a huge help for working solo with the lower cowl. 

Cowl heat plug and cowl flap. Also cowling heat insulation seems to be working well.

The Classic Aero Designs interior adds a little weight but it looks great. Not bad to install. 

BRS parachute rocket is hooked up and armed. 

More interior work:

Right wing tip installed:

Magnetometer in right wing tip. (This location passed the Garmin interference test with no problems.)

Left wingtip installed and lights working great. 

Terminals for the Archer nav antenna in the left wingtip. 

Working on the gear leg fairings:

Nav / Strobe light connector:

Wingtips primed and ready to be installed. 

Wing root seal fitted on both sides.

Working on wingtips:

Update for 3rd quarter 2023:

 There was a fair amount of work accomplished over the summer despite another trip to Europe for paragliding the last week of August!

Right fuel tank fuel gauge sender wired.

Twisting wires for the landing / taxi lights and pitot heat.

The left tank has an inverted fuel pickup in it and guess what ... the fuel sender is behind the tank and can only be reached with the tank removed ... so that's what happened :(

Working on the wiring for the left wing.

Preparing the inside of the top cowl for paint.

It looks so much better with some white epoxy paint on it.

Heated pitot tube / aoa sensor installed and wired.

Bottom cowl also much more appealing after paint!

Motivational picture of my work friend's beautiful RV-8.

Fuel flow testing.

Checking for tight fuel fittings. On the first start attempt it seems that we had an a loose fitting that was allowing air in the system.

Taxi light and landing lights are wired. (taxi light shown)

More fuel flow testing.

Installed taxi / landing light lenses. They has some small scratches but they polished out nicely.

Working on wiring for the autopilot roll servo and magnetometer in the right wing.

Connected and ran wires for wingtip nav / strobe lights.

Installed new ELT instrument panel remote control.

Initial install of lower cowling heat shield.

Finished up with aluminum tape and sealed edges with epoxy.

Working on the ELT install in the baggage compartment floor.

ELT floor cutout.