The first item addressed today was purely a
cosmetic thing that would have bothered me knowing it could have been easily corrected.
The RV-12’s wings are unique in that they have a handhold along the outboard end
of the wing/spar. The handhold is a feature utilized on the RV-12’s wings because
the wings are designed to be removed effortlessly for easy transport/storage. (In
fact, both wings can be removed and reinstalled in less than 5 minutes).
Many months ago a strip of metal was riveted onto the far outboard edge of the spar that will be used to attach the
wing tip skin onto the spar. When riveting the strip of metal onto the spar, the
standard convention of placing the rivet’s factory head on the thinner material
was followed. As such, noticed the rough shop head side of the far outboard
rivet will be inside the handhold region. Decided this was the time to fix that or live
with it forever … so carefully drilled out that rivet without causing any damage to the metal
strip or the spar. Replaced the rivet but this time the factory head was placed
on the spar side meaning the smooth rounded head of the rivet will now be
inside the handhold area.
Shop head of far outboard rivet to be removed after
a small pilot hole was drilled from the other side.
Far outboard rivet with factory head now on the spar side which
will be inside the handhold area.
Once the handhold area was squared away, I went
to the next page in the plans thinking the wing tip skins would be next to
install but was shocked to discover the plans called for rolling the wing
assembly over. The plans suggest having
at least three people … two to hold the wing and a third to prevent the hanging
skins from getting kinked during the rolling of the wing assembly. The first
two friends called for help were out of town, but fortunately was able to
roundup Mike (a childhood friend from the old neighborhood who lives close by) to
aid in the last minute plea for help. Missing the third person, decided to tension
the flopping skins a little by tying them back with string to prevent them from
moving and becoming kinked.
Mike helping to carry the left wing assembly out
of the DOG Aviation production facility for rolling.
Rolling the left wing assembly over …looking
closely, one can see the
strings used to prevent the skins from flopping around
during the roll.
Job well done ... Thanks Mike!!!!!
Left wing assembly successfully rolled and back
on a workbench ready for more attention.
Now that the left wing assemble is rolled, the
flaperon brackets can be installed, the AOA plumbing finalized and landing and
navigation/strobe lighting electrical connectors completed.