Chris's 200+ mph Project

[Classic Daycruiser]

I've been working on this project since April 2003. It is an experimental kit airplane (full scale). It is aerobatic, carries 2 people, and up too 1000 mile range on full tanks of fuel. Top Speed should be close to 220 mph, and fuel economy between 17 and 28 mpg. I hope this last push to get it flying will happen soon.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Spar, Leading edge, Wings

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Fitting the wing's to the fuselage (first of many), engine mount installed (IO360), canopy release latch stuff.

 

[DirtyWhiteBoy]

cool project:thumbsup

That is a LOT of Cleco (sp) fasteners:beer

 

[RiverDave]

Are you making all the parts for this thing? Or is this something you buy and put together?

I'm really interested in learning more about this.

RD

 

[Yellowboat]

Are you making all the parts for this thing? Or is this something you buy and put together?

I'm really interested in learning more about this.

RD

google experamental aircraft kits.

basicly they come in a kit that is up to 49% complete. you just put it toegther. Most can be completed in 1000-3000 man hours.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Are you making all the parts for this thing? Or is this something you buy and put together?

I'm really interested in learning more about this.

RD

Dave, you'll get a ride when its done

www.Vansaircraft.com

Mine is the RV-7A model It will have an ECI 188hp IOX-360 with an RV-200 Whirlwind prop.

Video how its made [video=youtube;8f9HXzZT1dE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f9HXzZT1dE[/video]

Here are a few videos of what it can do.
[video=youtube;qBKXElY2Qug]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBKXElY2Qug&feature=related[/video]


[video=youtube;U_7lsun4zW4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_7lsun4zW4&feature=related[/video]

 

[wsuwrhr]

A good frend of mine pilots an RV as well.


Sorry I don't know the model.

Cool plane for sure.

 

[Guest]

Beautiful..!...:thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Here is the Canopy frame. I just put it on to get a mental picture of what I need to do next. I'm sure those who have installed canopy's on their boat will understand how diffult this process is making it fit.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

The lightweight PCU5000X Prop Controller

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Starting to fill up the firewall. Fitting oddessy battery box for powercoating on monday. The orange battery box will be blue, as well as the heater box. The other two parts below are the Starter Solenoid and the Master Relay.


Point Hook:
[video=youtube;wUMvEQmCScw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUMvEQmCScw&feature=related[/video]

 

[wsuwrhr]

Looks awesome.

 

[Wheeler]

Nice project, I looked forward to seeing a video of the first flight. :thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Started cutting/fitting the Canopy to the fuselage. Here's the first 3 cuts. I'm using a dremel with a 1 1/2 plastic cut-off wheel. I'll probably have 30 cuts before I'm finished.

 

[DirtyWhiteBoy]

looking good:thumbsup

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Made the "big cut" dividing the front canopy from the rear window. Still trimming off excess for a good fit. I'm almost happy enough to mix a batch of micro ballon to seal the front of the canopy to the frame.:beer

Should be all down hill from here.:headscratch:

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Trimming the canopy is finished. Now to fasten it to the frame.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

It Rolls....on its gear. Canopy and interior. I hope to fill it up with avonics. (Dynon D180, Garmin 696, Garmin GTX 327, Garmin SL30, GMA 240) :champagne:

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Up until the canopy, the RV-7A instructions were very good and detailed. Now that I'm into the rigging phase of building an aircraft, Van's instructions have turned more general. This is the part where you as a builder gets to decide what goes into this aircraft.
In this picture I placed the top cowl in position, so that I can have a mental picture for other parts of the project.

 

[wsuwrhr]

That "gear" looks scary as all get out, to me.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

That "gear" looks scary as all get out, to me.

Only the gear?

I guess I could have used a couple old chevy leaf spring's

 

[wsuwrhr]

Only the gear?

I guess I could have used a couple old chevy leaf spring's

landing gear, just to clarify.

Just looks...well just looks.

Motor mount looks spindly too. But I am sure it is just because I am a earth's surface kinda guy.

Brian

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

After 3 months delay, the engine was delivered.


The box :champagne::champagne::champagne:

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Here it is....

 

[Wheeler]

That "gear" looks scary as all get out, to me.

And what do you think of this? :hmm


ClassicDaycruiser, Real nice plane you are building, don't forget to post the video of the first flight!

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

And what do you think of this? :hmm


ClassicDaycruiser, Real nice plane you are building, don't forget to post the video of the first flight!

Very nice. What kit? (teenie?):thumbsup

I bet its alot of fun

 

[Wheeler]

Very nice. What kit? (teenie?):thumbsup

I bet its alot of fun

Yes it's a Teenie, a couple of my neighbors flew into Parker today the other one was flying a Thunder Gull. :thumbsup

when I say neighbors I mean they live about 20 miles to the east of me.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

That is one heck of a lawn mower blade

Here is the power panel I'm using.

 

[Racey]

This is so bitchin!!! :thumbsup

 

[Wheeler]

Here is the power panel I'm using.

And here is my complete instrument panel.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

And here is my complete instrument panel.

Anything is possible.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

The prop showed up today. It's an RV 200 Whirlwind constant speed prop. I had it painted to match the airplane, but will wait to take it out of the packing, as I ready the engine. We are getting one step closer to 200+mph. A good prop is very important.


I'll try to get a picture of it on the plane :readpb:

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Installed the engine yesterday. Now to finish the rigging:champagne:

 

[Wheeler]

I imagine this will be such a fun plane to fly, hope to see a video of the test flight. soon! :thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Here is the Silverhawk Fuel injection servo. This will keep a machinist in business

 

[Tom Brown]

10 years ago, when I wanted to build an airplane, I was burning for an RV-6. Great planes. Extremely viable. I have a ton of respect for his designs.

I've really been enjoying this thread. I'm excited for you, CD.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

The project is moving forward. today the fuselage made it safely to the airport.:bowdown::bowdown::champagne:

 

[Wheeler]

Good job! when is the first flight? :thumbsup

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Good job! when is the first flight? :thumbsup

10 years ago, when I wanted to build an airplane, I was burning for an RV-6. Great planes. Extremely viable. I have a ton of respect for his designs.

I've really been enjoying this thread. I'm excited for you, CD.

Thanks Wheeler, (and nothing goes un-noticed with Tom Browns Canadian approval). I hope to have something the FAA thinks is acceptible to fly around Christmas. Having a fulltime job might delay it a month, but so far it looks good. (update: I'm still working on it....may 2010?:grumble

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

I'm in the hanger. Fiberglass glass parts (engine cowl, wheel pants, Wing tip covers)

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

http://www.copperstate.org/csj/

Saturday is the best day. Get there early, and have lunch during one of the air showes.:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Installed the Exhaust system. It is a Larry Vetterman Exhaust, 4 pipe system. No baffles, no Mufflers, Just 4 straight pipes,....I did wrap one pipe with a heat muff to keep me from freezing at 22,000 feet

Mounted a 1.5" spacer to the 90 degree oil filter (for clearencing issues with the engine mount), attached the lightweight c/s prop governer.

Also initial fit of fuel servo to the ECI Horz. cold air induction system.

 

[Wheeler]

Very nice, when is the test flight? :thumbsup

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Very nice, when is the test flight? :thumbsup

It seems like everytime I meet a milestone, another challenge in the project opens up. :grumble:

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

This old photo surfaced. From left to right, Brother Jonathan, Dad, me. This was my dads first airplane. 1967 Cessna 150. I was 8 y/o in the picture. This was taken at Bracket Field in Pomona, CA in 1969.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Here is the first (uncompleted) version/prototype of the instrument panel. and a picture of some of the rigging I'm doing forward of the engine firewall.

 

[Tom Brown]

Tremendous work.

I've helped on a few projects, one in particular I helped through most of it, so I know how much time goes in. For what it's worth, I think Van's projects are an order of magnitude easier than the all glass plans out there. It's still a mountain of work, though.

Thank you for sharing the project with us.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

I having been in learning overload lately. So many differents sensors that need to be attached and wires routed.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Here is the bracket with longer stud length. I could have been ok with 1/8 inch less but I'm ok.