Beware the Pitot Tube

As you saw in the previous post, the pitot tube looks more like a gun than an instrument. Here is what happen if you are not careful walking around an RV-12:

This despite two layers of fabric over my skin!

We are now propelled!

Propeller work over, it was another delicate task requiring lots of attention and concentration on instructions. I had to navigate between VANs and Sensenich instructions and parts. No major screw-up although I was concerned about the pitot tube tracking requirement to be less than 1/16th of an inch.

Here the Trade Mark of the RV-12: the pitot tube coming out of the spinner covering the propeller's hub:

Normally the pitot tube is located under the wing but as the wings of the RV-12 are removable, this solution was necessary.
At this point of my project, I still have the following tasks to complete:
- Exhaust system
- Cooling system
- Control cables (Power, Choke and Heating)
- Putting all placards mandated by the FAA
... we will then head to the airport where my wings are waiting for us.

Working on the Propeller

For the time being, no more work on the engine, time to take care of the propeller.
First the Pitot tube has to be installed:

One particularity of the RV-12 is that the Pitot tube goes through the spinner, a location that puts it away of turbulences that would make the measure of speed wrong.
Below the Pitot tube isconnecteed to the Dynamic Pressure tube that runs all the way through the cockpit to the ADAHRS located in the tailcone. I installed safety lines for the first time as visible on the picture (the twisted lines).

 

As the protruding pitot tube seemed threatening, I decided to put on a helmet:

 



Anyway, it's time to work on the spinner!

A Well Hung Engine!

There was no way I could do this job alone. As it is a very precise operation requiring strength and precision, I asked help from François who has the advantage of sharing the French cussing and fussing that inevitably goes with the task.

No engine hoist was used, we just secured the engine with straps tied to the ceiling's joists. We then brought the rubber blocs to the proper height using wood blocs. As everybody else I had to grind one of the big washer plates (lower right) because of  a small interference with the engine mount. A 1/8 inch notch did the job. The good news is that there is enough friction on the four AN6 bolts securing the engine to the airframe that there is no need to bloc the bolt head when tightening the nuts. Everything went well following the instructions (which btw do not mention the washer interference: thanks VAF Forum!).
Now, this is a well hung engine!

This is an important step in my build but looking at the engine, I am a bit intimidated by the quantity of loose ends on display both in electric wires and plumbing: this is going to be fun!

Engine work on

You start with a nice engine out of the box:

And soon, following VANs instructions, you have this:

Because you need to have access under the carburators, intake manifolds and ignition module for the cooling shroud:

At this point the fiberglass has been trimmed and the shroud is ready for final adjustments and gluing with RTV.

All Wrapped-up...

... working around a freshly painted airplane carries it's risks; here is how I addressed it:

Yes, Bubble Wrap!

And now Firewall Forward!

 

 

A bunch of lose wires that will need to go somewhere!

My Baby is back home...

... With a new garment!
Before leaving, the RV-12 is saying good by to his big brother the RV-9 under supervision by Terry, the father of the RV-9:

It was a 45 minutes trip, from Terry's hangar:

via Pittsboro (here negociating a round about): http://youtu.be/7Vzut1XkB4w

To my workshop:

As a coincidence, as I am going to start installing the engine, today VANs issued a Service Bulletin for the Rotax. See: http://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/sb13-2-6.pdf
It is the third service bulletin that hits me just as I am starting to work on the area affected by it: I am a lucky builder!