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 4th quarter 2023:

A lot of good work accomplished. I'm slowly ticking off the seemingly endless details...

ELT on it's mounting plate.

Mounting plate complete.

Drilling ELT mounting plate to floor.

A friend from work who had sold his plane gave me a very nice switcheon unit that allows remote control of things like an engine pre heater from an app on your phone. Very nice.

Plate nuts installed for ELT mount.

ELT antenna installed.

ELT installed and tested. Color is a little different but everything will be covered with carpet.

ELT plug including very loud buzzer.

Roll servo installed and wiring connected.

Roll servo plug ... a lot of wires :)

Installed fuzzy velcro strip under the wing skin where the flap could contact it.

Working on hanging and fitting the flaps.

Programming the VPX pro for flap travel limits,

The small heater helped a lot.

Working on the flap fit.

Installing the Skybolt 1/4 turn fasteners in the bottom cowl.

Nice Christmas present from Paul!

Right aileron and roll servo all hooked up and aligned.

Starting on left wingtip.

Bonding nut plate reinforcement strips.

Archer wingtip nav / ils antenna installed.

I reinforced the wing tip by laying two layers of 3" fiberglass tape over 3/8" foam backer rod.

Left wing tip drilled to wing. Trailing edge may need some tweaking.