RV-8 | Fastback


This website details my adventures in aviation to include the building, flying, and maintenance of a Van’s Aircraft RV-8, a single engine, two seat, tail-wheel, fully aerobatic, and cross country capable plane that strives to achieve “Total Performance.” This blog exists as a way to share my experiences with friends, family, and other builders. Building a plane is a huge undertaking, and this site is my opportunity to pass it forward.

I also completed my tailwheel endorsement, CFI, CFI-I, Commercial Multi-Engine Add-on and MEI. And, I had the awesome opportunity to embark on a helicopter adventure earning my Rotorcraft-Helicopter Private Pilot Add-on, an Instrument Helicopter Add-on, and finally the Commercial Helicopter Pilot Add-on. 

I am fully detailing all the work required for the Show Planes Fastback Build in a separate page. Check it out here. 

Index pages are also separated into various topics. All my flight activities, to include helicopter training, can be found here.

LATEST POST SUMMARY:

Nose Oil Leak: Part Three (7/19/2023) [10 Hours] - Oil leak at the nose of the aircraft, is after many false starts, finally found and corrected!
Low Oil Pressure (7/19/2023) [1 Hours] - The oil pressure has been on the low side of good since the first flight. Time to adjust the pressure relief valve.
Nose Seal: Part deux (7/3/2023) [3 Hours] - Investigating the nose seal oil leak.
Induction snorkel & oil cooler bypass (7/3/2023) [3 Hours] - Fiberglass relief to prevent cowl rubbing, and removing the leaky oil cooler bypass valve.
Maintenance and Tuning – First report (7/2/2023) [30 Hours] - Maintenance and tweaks in the first 7 hours of flying.
Flying & Performance – First report (7/2/2023) [6.3 Hours] - Taking a look at how the engine and airplane are performing with data analysis. Plus a few in-flight photos.
First Flight!!!! (6/15/2023) [1 Hours] - First flight of N22UP!!!!!
Airworthiness Inspection! (5/25/2023) - Inspection by my DAR for special airworthiness certificate - ISSUED!
Final Airworthiness Inspection Prep (5/24/2023) [8 Hours] - Inspecting everything one more time. Logbooks. Shop prep. Misc wrap up work.
FAA Updates to Phase 1 Testing – Task Based Testing Approved (5/18/2023) - New guidance allowing task-based testing during Phase 1.
Airworthiness Application (5/18/2023) - Paperwork for the airworthiness application.
Pitot Static & Transponder Certification (5/12/2023) [2 Hours] - Pitot static and transponder certification.
Weight and Balance (5/10/2023) [5 Hours] - Final weight and balance for N22UP prior to Airworthiness Application!
N-Number, Inspection Panels, & Misc (5/10/2023) [4 Hours] - Installing the N-Number, inspection panels, and other misc wrap up work.
Dynamic Prop Balance (5/10/2023) [3 Hours] - Using a DynaVibe classic to dynamically balance my propeller.
Magneto Washers & Weight and Balance Prep (5/4/2023) [2 Hours] - Installing new washers for the hold down on the magneto and installing covers for weight and balance.
ELT Testing & Data Plate Installation (5/2/2023) [2 Hours] - Installing my data plate and testing the ELT.
Seat belts and wing fairings (5/1/2023) [6 Hours] - Seat belts, wing fairings, passenger push to talk, blue plastic removal.
Magnetometer and AHARS Calibration (4/26/2023) [4 Hours] - Magnetic interference test, AHARS calibration, Magnetometer calibration, and AHARS vibration tests performed.
First Taxi Test & Brake Wear In (4/25/2023) [4 Hours] - Test fitting cowl during start, taxi test, brake wear-in, and static power check.

 

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