Mike's RV7: Mounted wings, Misc

62 Hours Total 228

Everything was going well so far but there was something that had been worrying me since I bought this project. The wings had been mounted previously and the holes drilled in the rear spar. If it had been drilled wrong, I was in real trouble. The wing incidence had to be positive 1 degree. Also I needed to mount the wings, flaps, and ailerons and make a list of parts that would need to order if they were missing. The wings mounted fairly easy. I used a set of hardware store bolts to mount the wings. Also, the close tolerance bolts I need to final mount the wings are missing! I put them on the order list. They weren't cheap!

I spent about three hours getting the plane perfectly level in all directions so I could check my wing incidence.

Lucky for me the incidence was a positive 1 degree on both wings. I used a block of wood and a 4' level that the instructions describes.

I hung plumb bobs off the leading edge of the wing and used a laser level and the wings were swept forward about 1/2". I researched the forums and concluded that this is ok. I feel much better now. Measurements from the trailing edge on the outboard corners of the wing and a central point near the tail was identical.

I temporarily mounted the wingtips, flaps and ailerons to make sure I had a list of all the nuts and bolts and parts I needed to complete the airplane. WOW! It looks like an airplane.

I even mounted the panel with the two 10" Dynon cutouts taped on.

I then put all the covers for the floors, flaps, and side panels on to make sure I wasn't missing any parts. I couldn't resist jumping in and takin her for a spin!

My wife, Nancy, even made a few rounds in the pattern!

After a while, I reluctantly took it all apart. I installed the two corner gussets that were not included with the 7a kit. I will figure a way to cover the holes that the tri gear mains exited the cabin.

Next I built a seat back from parts I ordered from Vans. My pile of parts only had one. I'm sure the other got cannibalized somewhere down the line.

My project only had brakes on the pilots side so I built a set for the copilot side.

I installed Duckworks landing/taxi lights in the leading edge of both wings. I just went with the old halogen bulbs. I will convert them to LED lights after I start flying and have more time to experiment with LED lights.

After marking the holes, I checked, checked, and rechecked my measurements. I couldn't imagine the agony I would experience if I cut holes in my wings in the wrong place! Once I convinced myself it was correct, I cut the holes with my dremel tool. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.