Other Stuff-NEW!
May 2005 Training Kits
Here's the preview plans and training kit that Van's supplies for newbie's to prepare for the real thing.
This is the three ring binder that holds a small version of the complete plans set for the RV-7. This is a MUST purchase item for all prospective builders. Van's does require it. They cost $55, but are well worth the money to study while making the final decision, or waiting for your kit to arrive. It contains a large amount of very useful info, as well as the full build manual.
The training kit that you can buy from Van's is a 15" wide section of a control surface. This is not a required purchase ($32), but I would recommend it to anyone who has never done this before. It will teach you how to rivet, cut, and drill sheet metal.
May 3, 2005 Training Kit #1 and Preview Plans arrive.
May 15th, 2005 Training Kit #1 is done
Total hours to complete...15.5 hours
Here's a series of pics from the construction. These pics are of the process of measuring, drilling, clecoing, and riveting the parts together. I won't show you any close ups because in the beginning, they are not good. You'll see when you do yours. DON'T let this deter you, it gets better...trust me!
This fuzzy pic shows how the training kit arrives. It's all packaged nicely, as all of the subsequent kits are. They've got this down to a science!
These pics are of me learning how to prime with Zinc Chromate, a primer that I did not use on the airplane project.
Then I put the skin in the wood break to bend it to it's final shape, did more riveting and rolled the leading edge.
Here's a couple of shots of the finished project. I actually built a pretty straight piece of something here! A lot of these turn out with a curved trailing edge. Don't know how I did it, but it's straight!
I did do a second training kit just for more practice while waiting for the tail to arrive. It turned out to be a GREAT thing because Van's sent me a different kit that had new techniques to learn that will be useful in the tail kit, such as double-flush riveting. Sorry, no pics of that one though.
See what's next on the workshop page.
DISCLAIMER
This website is intended for entertainment purposes only. It is not for use for instructional purposes, and is in no way associated with Van's Aircraft. Please visit Van's website for further information on these wonderful airplanes.