#rv8 — Public Fediverse posts

This sums up about how well my plane is going. Time for another doubler! #rv8

Through a combination of good luck & NAS1097 shear rivets I don't have to replace the entire mid section skin after making my patch + new doubler without considering the size of the actual connector (only the hole size it needed). #rv8

I've gotten really good at doublers 😭 #rv8

Thus Shaviv deburring kit is sooooo much nicer than the little handles that come with the builders kits for planes. I wish I had bought it up front! #rv8 #vansaircraft

Photo of the Day 16th March 2026.

https://mancavgeek.co.uk/2026/03/16/photo-of-the-day-16th-march-2026/

If you're wondering what the minimum order of titanium skybolts is.. it's 500. The 50 I need would save about the weight of a sandwich over the normal steel ones. #rv8

I've officially switched over all my data and logbook stuff to Garmin Pilot. It'll take some getting used to. Foreflight really made the UI easy. #rv8

I had to hold my tongue and not write a rant to Vans about them stopping the whole company to get RV15 wing kits out. It was going to start; "This may come as a surprise to you, but you do sell other models..". I'm really just super disappointed that I can't work on my finish kit. I could have literally been done with it if I got the parts back in October like they told me I would. #rant #rv8

Rather than shortening & repining the connector for my pitch servo and GHA15, I'm thinking about just solder sleeving the wires together. Any reason I'd ever want to disconnect this? I think Stein only provided a connector here to make it easier to run the wires - the big connectors at the other end are harder than dsub connectors. #rv8

Today I learned that a capacitor across a DC motor (aka smoke pump) reduces electrical noise. #rv8

If you use Garmin avionics, you can save about two pounds by using KEY100 hall effect ammeters instead of heavy copper shunts for your main and aux buses. There are easy to find STL files for mounting them, if you want to do so. #rv8

Sometimes I wonder if I should have saved a few years more and ordered a MX2 kit from MX Aircraft. I don't yet know if I'll love Aerobatics, (I had a great first lesson though) but the more I learn about the limitations of Vans aircraft the less I think it'll be what I want. But we'll see. I'm sure the RV-8 will be a blast no matter what. #rv8

I've been wondering why the Vans community doesn't have community tools. There are so many expensive tools we only need once or twice. We could send them to the next person. #rv8

I forgot to put flanges on a shelf I made, so it wasn't stable and would have vibrated itself off. Destroyed it trying to retrofit flanges 🤦‍♂️ #rv8

Another great aviation company to report! 🎉 B&C not only makes great components, but they have outstanding customer service as well. They're super friendly and work to make sure all your questions are answered and you're happy. #rv8

Installing avionics is like a really expensive game of Jenga. So many little boxes that want to be on the cold side of the firewall. #rv8

It's weird that you don't register Garmin avionics with their serial numbers, you have to install them and get them fully wired and then pull a number from the system config screen. #rv8

Aerobatic engine mounts for the RV-8, a plane Vans explicitly calls out as being capable of Sportsman IAC competitions, are unavailable from Vans and cost $975 each - you need four. And you'll get them next May. At least AEK Technology will let me order them! #rv8

After not getting a hanger in time, and jenga-ing my engine crate into the garage, it's now so full that I can't work on the plane. #rv8

I forgot to plumb the gascolator in, so it's back to plumbing, once it's back in stock. The Aerolab Flush gascolator seems like a great idea, and gets much better reviews than the one Vans stocks in the firewall forward kit. It also opens flush to the bottom of the plane, not in the cowling, meaning so spilled gas in there. #rv8

It seems to be impossible to buy aerobatic engine mounts/cushions. Everyone is out of stock, has half year+ waits for any stock, or can't order them at all. #rv8

Well, pumpkins, looks like it's the age-old dilemma... style.. or substance. #rv8

My tail wheel adventure plan... Get up to speed in the Super Decathlon, do spin training, upset recovery training, aerobatic instruction to complete the IAC sportsman sequence. Then move into the Stearman for the high performance endorsement, and I bet that will bring me to around the completion of the RV-8. #rv8

I wonder how hard it is to weld titanium. I would like to replace some of the heavy steel weldments (flaps mostly) but no one offers these. It's "just" a tube with two smaller tubes welded to it.. Probably a bad idea. #rv8

God bless the Vans Aircraft builders willing to put their builds on YouTube. It's so nice to be able to see how someone else solved an issue. I'm trying to build the courage to trim the flanges on my ZipTips without totally destroying them. #rv8

I'm surprised at how much the spinner on the Super Decathlon I flew today overhangs the cowling. Maybe I can use that 13.4" spinner from the MT props on the 13" Vans cowling after all. #rv8

If it's good enough for fighter jets and missiles it's good enough for my brake system. #rv8

Today I finished my RV-8 fuselage! 🎉

My finish kit should ship in this month. #rv8

You should all check out Sky Design's products - I have added many of them to my RV-8 and they are INCREDIBLY well made and they back it up with absolutely top-notch service. Check them out! #rv8 www.skydesigns.aero