Tips & Tricks

Here are various tips and extras we have come across along the way. Pick and choose which ones you agree with just as we have done. Part of the benefit of building means the plane is custom tailored to the builder's specific wants and needs.

• Gotchas: http://www.myrv10.com/tips/gotchas.html
• Removing old hard to get off blue vinyl http://www.assistaviation.com/builder_tips.htm
• Aircraft Hardware 'What you need to know" http://www.zenithair.com/kit-data/ra/hardware.html
• Fluting tip http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=28076
• Rivet removal tip:  http://www.our7a.com/20070505.html
• Drilling steel - drill very slow RPM, use lubrication (cutting oil or etc), keep lots of pressure while cutting, keep cutting - dont stop and start. If you let the bit spin too fast you will heat up the steel and it becomes super hard.
• Consider primer for only ribs and spars, not skins - use aerosol sprayer cans such as sherwin williams GBP 988  
  The stuff you actually do need to prime, IMHO, is what Van's tells you to, like the non-Alclad reinforcing angles, rudder control horn, that sort of thing.
• I dont think electric rudder trim is necessary but a trim tab of some sort will almost certainly be required even if its a manual tab. 
• Use LED or HID wingtip lights from the out set http://www.duckworksav.com/LELightKits.html#LC HID Kits
• Discussion on local grounding http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=18851
• Tips on proseal http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=7602
• Buy heated pitot - recommended for IFR - flying through clouds helps build up ice
• Buy Bob archer model 1 VOR antenna: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/archer_antennas.php goes in wing tip
• Upgrade from Bob Archer antenna to cat wiskers on tail if greater VOR reception desired
• Step modifications http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=54322&highlight=%22step+bolt%22
• Step Mods #2: http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=66204
• Make good size access panel for fuel filter area in tunnel - leave fuel pump and filter where they should be by default
• Use stainless steel heat boxes or at least use RTV red and some kind of thermal baffle to help prevent tunnel heat
• Tunnel heat discussion http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=70841
• For comm antenna consider Rami  AV-17 from vans: http://www.rami.com/gaa/antenna-info.cfm?pid=20 
• Consider the McMaster Carr door seals - requires more work to the door lip but look much nicer and probably seals better. Costs about $75 for 50 ft of the seals.
• The throttle and mixture lengths for the Vans cable set need to be increased 1.5-2 inches for better routing options and fit. http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?t=80263&sid=5ce1c84290ffa97f49fc1b3845ba8cb9
• Installing main landing gears: http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=69130
• Replace stock wheel related items: http://www.myrv10.com/tips/mods/index.html#Better_Tires_and_Tubes
• Electrical grounding http://aeroelectric.com/articles/Battery_Grounds/Battery_Grounds.html
• AirWolf remote oil filter mount. There is plenty of room  on the firewall and every time I change oil I am so happy I have it. (about $500 though :( )
• Use something stronger in rudder stops or get gust lock http://www.matronics.com/digest/digestview.php?Style=82701&View=html&Chapter=2010-11-15&Archive=RV10
• Rudder lock discussion http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=71155
• Share garmin 430 update costs http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=61665
• Troubleshooting instrument interference when transmitting on comm:http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=63836&page=3
• Painting tips http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=66807