Building an RV12

Starting to resemble an airplane. James May would be proud!
 
Which LSA rules? Doesn't the CTLSi have the injected rotax?
 
Flaperons, rudder cables, and elevator cables are complete. Looks like we will be working on the interior and some fiberglass soon. Wiring is complete and avionics should be ordered next week. Hoping for first flight by early fall.
 

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fiveoboy01 said:
Yeah but what he's asking is what LSA regulation says you can't install the 912is in an RV? I'm curious myself as to the answer.
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At an rv forum at oshkosh they mentioned the fuel injected version doesn't fit under the cowling.
 
Mike5250 said:
Flaperons, rudder cables, and elevator cables are complete. Looks like we will be working on the interior and some fiberglass soon. Wiring is complete and avionics should be ordered next week. Hoping for first flight by early fall.
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LOL remember in October when we were hoping for a first flight in July:D
 
Mike,

Was SB13-12-19 incorporated into your plans, or did you have to incorporate that after-the-fact? (And do you think it will do any good?)
 
oldShar said:
Mike,

Was SB13-12-19 incorporated into your plans, or did you have to incorporate that after-the-fact? (And do you think it will do any good?)
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Yes, Its an ELSA that will be considered factory built so Vans is requiring us to make the changes to the fuel tank. The SB came out right after we got the tank and hoped Vans would make the changes but looks like we will have to.
 
fiveoboy01 said:
Yeah but what he's asking is what LSA regulation says you can't install the 912is in an RV? I'm curious myself as to the answer.
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Unless you are building it as an E-A/B (instead of an ELSA), you are supposed to be duplicating the SLSA build or the designer is liable to NOT certify it to ASTM consensus standards which might void your airworthiness eligibility.

It's a matter of taking the chance of being denied ASTM certification or E-A/B certification (not providing sufficient supporting documentation for the DER to certifiy a 51%+ build <== Van's won't certify E-A/B eligibility)


You can take your chances; but no guarantees
 
My friend just finished his and waiting for the DAR. I get to do the test flight and can't wait to try out the 12. Don
 
We keep saying it will be flying in a couple months...

Avionics are installed and working. We need to pressure test the fuel tank, install, and calibrate engine instruments. After the fiberglass cowl is finished we will be ready to go through the plans one final time before engine start and faa inspection. Choosing a tail number is hard!! At $5, everyone has reserved a few, it seems. Wings are complete, but removed for hangar space.

Garmin touchscreen...
 

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Looks great Mike. You'll really like how it flys. Set your prop in the mid range when you start out. I think the instructions call for it to be in high pitch. I did the test flights on my friend's and it didn't accelerate or climb very well in the high pitch setting. Don
 
Mike5250 said:
We keep saying it will be flying in a couple months...

Avionics are installed and working. We need to pressure test the fuel tank, install, and calibrate engine instruments. After the fiberglass cowl is finished we will be ready to go through the plans one final time before engine start and faa inspection. Choosing a tail number is hard!! At $5, everyone has reserved a few, it seems. Wings are complete, but removed for hangar space.

Garmin touchscreen...
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Looking Great....

The one thing I regret in NOT using blade style fuses..... I installed the AGC / round ones and even though I have not blown a fuse yet... I HATE the looks of them...
 
A friend stopped by my hangar the other day as I was putting away the Mooney. He built himself an RV12, spanky thing too. But he has a place down south, and finds it an uncomfortable travel machine. Might buy into my Mooney though, we'll see.
 
steingar said:
A friend stopped by my hangar the other day as I was putting away the Mooney. He built himself an RV12, spanky thing too. But he has a place down south, and finds it an uncomfortable travel machine. Might buy into my Mooney though, we'll see.
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I only have about 2 hours in an rv12 and I found it to be similar to the m20c but with better visibility. The harness isn't very comfortable compared to a lap belt.
 
yakdriver said:
Looks great Mike. You'll really like how it flys. Set your prop in the mid range when you start out. I think the instructions call for it to be in high pitch. I did the test flights on my friend's and it didn't accelerate or climb very well in the high pitch setting. Don
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Good point, i'll see where the prop is set at currently. Did you do the test flights solo? In my friends rv12 we were pretty close to gross weight and it only used 2-300 feet of runway. Planning on getting a few hours of dual in an rv12 before the first flight.
 
Yes, I flew it solo. I have done several initial test flights on a bunch of different airplanes and always fly solo until I get them sorted out. It made a world of difference when he changed the pitch. With he and I in it on a warmish day we get over 600 fpm climb and and cruise in the 130 mph range. Make sure you put the sunshade in the canopy. I find the 12 very comfortable and have flown it on some 2 hr legs. I'm 6' 235 lbs and I like the room and visibility compared to my RV7 I had. Don
 
N452US is reserved. I saw a post about Emirates "students" building a rv12. Below is our American version! We may paint it white and just use decals on the tail for fun. The foundation plans on selling within a year or so.
 

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We put the heat shield on the inside of the Cowl on Saturday, Cutting the templates took longer that affixing the shield tape itself. We are getting very close. probably won't paint it for a while. Anyway hope to have it at Osh this summer.
 
Adam, how many hours invested so far?
 
The ones built at my airport wound up being covered in vinyl. They look good, too.
 
AggieMike88 said:
Adam, how many hours invested so far?
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We have been working most saturdays for about 2 years. My guess would be about 500 hours with multiple people working, including an a&p guiding along the way. Hopefully Adam doesn't bill us for all the hours he has spent in the hangar!
 
What a great project... just found this thread but want to see how it finishes up.. I was considering an RV-12 last year and was going to stay in LSA, but my wife wanted 4 seats, and did not have a medical problem so did not go that way.. Where are yo located??..
 
Glenn D said:
What a great project... just found this thread but want to see how it finishes up.. I was considering an RV-12 last year and was going to stay in LSA, but my wife wanted 4 seats, and did not have a medical problem so did not go that way.. Where are yo located??..
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We're based at KLOM. If you change your mind and want an rv12 it will be for sale eventually! Hoping for a first engine and flight in the next couple months. Who knows when it will be flying though. We have an N number and registration documents from Vans are in the mail.
 
Any way you can hang onto it for a while and let some kids get their license in it if they want to help subsidize training costs?
 
Very cool, I wish this was a more common place activity in schools.


I second the idea that it would really be ideal if you could swing using it to get the kids who spent large amounts of time on the build their PPLs.
 
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