Check out this video on the team and their project!
See it on YouTube at:
http://youtu.be/haqgyE25YbI
See it on YouTube at:
http://youtu.be/haqgyE25YbI
New Paint Job, Flight Lessons, and Headed to Oshkosh!!
Here is our newly painted RV-12 ready for its trip to Airventure Oshkosh.
We received donated interior side panels and a carpet kit from Flight Line Interiors which has also been installed.
Most of the guys have now had an opportunity for at least one flight lesson in the airplane thanks to Mentor Jerry VanGrunsven. Here's cockpit photos of some of the gang (and the RV Grin x 12!!):
If you attend Airventure, stop by to say hello, and take a look at our RV-12.
We will be located just north of the control tower, near the Young Eagles Headquarters.
Update on Open House and What's to Come....
Our project open house was a great success and a fun way to wrap up our project, and to recognize all of the participants, mentors, and financial supporters.
We had a great turnout and great weather. A few of the team members got their first chance to fly in the RV-12 that they helped build. They all thought it was great.
Thanks to everyone that has encouraged us along the way, and for all of the great comments and enthusiasm we have received.
We hope you will continue to follow TeenFlight in the future, since we hope this is just the beginning of something even bigger.
Keep watching our blog for future updates about our trip to Airventure Oshkosh!
The Teen Flight End of Project Open House
An event to provide an opportunity to see the RV-12 fly, give some rides, and honor the Financial Supporters and Mentors, for their contributions that made this program possible, and of course recognize the Team Members for their efforts to complete the airplane.
Who:
Anyone that has been interested in the Teen Flight program, but particularly the Participants, Mentors, and Supporters, and their families and friends.
When:
June 4th, 2011 at 10:30 A.M.
A LOT HAS BEEN HAPPENING LATELY...
The flight testing of the RV-12 is just about completed. The airplane has about 7.0 hours of flight time now and everything has been working well.
The only adjustments up to this point, have been to slightly reduce the propeller pitch, add a trim tab to the rudder, and make a small adjustment to the stall warning indicator.
A plan is now in place to get some of our Team and the RV-12 they built, to the Air Venture Fly-in, in Oshkosh Wisconsin at the end of July.
They will be traveling via the RV-12, a couple of different RV-10's, and a Cessna Citation (That's Right, a Citation Jet).
We will have the airplane on display (we don't know where exactly yet), and plan to spread the word about the benefits of a youth airplane build project via a scheduled forum and numerous other opportunities.
If you plan to be there, look us up, we would love to show you the RV-12 we built..
Day 59 - May 5, 2011
RV-12 N112TF lifted off this evening at a little past 7 PM!
The flight was perfect with absolutely no problems. Only a small handful of the team members and mentors were available for this first flight but there will be other opportunities in the near future for all to enjoy!
In the words of Mr. McDaniels (Head Mentor and Test Pilot): "You guys built a great flying airplane...I hope you feel as proud as I and all of the mentors (and I am sure your parents), are of you."
Day 58 - April 30, 2011
It has been a frustrating wait, but multiple good things happened for us this week.
On Friday April 29th, our registration certificate arrived in the mail, and this opened the door for having our certification inspection the following day (Saturday, April 30th).
Mr. Frank Sneed, our DAR, walked through the whole process with the 7 Team Members that were in attendance, while they followed along using copies of his check list. Everything was found to be as it should be with the airplane, so when they were finished, we had in our hands a freshly filled out airworthiness certificate.
N112TF (first RV-12 built by Teen Flight) is now (in the FAA's eyes anyway) officially an airplane. Next step is to prove it's flight capabilities, as soon as we have insurance coverage. This is being generously donated by a broker/agent in Arizona, and it should be in place very soon.
Keep watching for the announcement of our first flight... it wont be long now.
Day 57 - March 13, 2011
At this moment the airplane sits fully assembled and for the most part ready to fly.
We are currently waiting to receive the registration from the FAA in Oklahoma City. After we have that in our possession, the registration numbers can be installed on the airplane (against the Federal Aviation Regulations to do so before) and we can then submit the paperwork for the airworthiness inspection.
We used this weeks work session to finish up a couple of items on our squawk list and finish a few final details such as install seatbelts, and a few more placards. We ended the day by getting the airplane up on the scales to obtain the needed weight data for computing the aircraft center of gravity and filling out the weight and balance documentation. Our finished RV-12 weighed exactly what our fearless leader guessed that it would... 722 lbs.
Stay tuned for news of our first flight... hopefully coming very soon.
We are currently waiting to receive the registration from the FAA in Oklahoma City. After we have that in our possession, the registration numbers can be installed on the airplane (against the Federal Aviation Regulations to do so before) and we can then submit the paperwork for the airworthiness inspection.
We used this weeks work session to finish up a couple of items on our squawk list and finish a few final details such as install seatbelts, and a few more placards. We ended the day by getting the airplane up on the scales to obtain the needed weight data for computing the aircraft center of gravity and filling out the weight and balance documentation. Our finished RV-12 weighed exactly what our fearless leader guessed that it would... 722 lbs.
Stay tuned for news of our first flight... hopefully coming very soon.
Day 56 - March 5, 2011
As often happens, after inspecting the airplane carefully, quite a few little things were found that needed to be resolved before we could stand back and say, "That is as good as we can do".
So, we spent the early part of our work session working through those issues. Consequently, we didn't get the Production Acceptance Procedures inspection completed. We did get a few more items in the check list marked off, and we did another engine run and completed the carburetor synch procedure.
We will be having one more regular work session next week to complete the P.A.P. and weigh the airplane. Then all we need is to receive our registration certificate back from the FAA, and get our final airworthiness inspection, and then we are ready to fly!
So, we spent the early part of our work session working through those issues. Consequently, we didn't get the Production Acceptance Procedures inspection completed. We did get a few more items in the check list marked off, and we did another engine run and completed the carburetor synch procedure.
We will be having one more regular work session next week to complete the P.A.P. and weigh the airplane. Then all we need is to receive our registration certificate back from the FAA, and get our final airworthiness inspection, and then we are ready to fly!
Day 55 - February 26, 2011 ... Engine Start!
We have (for the most part) a finished airplane!
We had 5 Team Members at this weeks work session. I think everyone present had a high level of anticipation because of the hope to do the first engine start this week.
We got the engine fluids installed and completed the oil system purging procedure. We took care of a few other unfinished items, and as we neared the end of our work session we braved the cold and rolled the airplane outside and put the wings on.
After adding some fuel and correcting a couple of fuel drips, we did the first engine start. We only ran it at low power for a minute or so to allow for verification of a proper reading on all engine monitor values.
Next week we will bring the engine to operating temperature, and do a synchronization of the carburetors. We also have just a couple of final details to finish up (a few more placards to install, seat belts, etc), and complete the rest of the PAP (production acceptance procedure) check list which will include weighing the airplane and calculating the weight and balance information.
It is looking like next week will be our last regular work session, then we will be ready to fly once the proper paper work and certification inspection is completed.
Day 54 - February 19, 2011
The TeenFlight RV-12 is almost ready to fly!
We had 6 of the guys at this weeks work session which made it a bit hectic with lots of things happening all at once. It also allowed us to make a lot of progress, and to finalize a lot of little details.
Construction is now completed except for finishing the placard installation, finishing a couple little details on the canopy latch, installing the ELT antenna, and to complete most of the Miscellania section 33 (Install interior inspection covers, seat belts, etc.)
We completed some of the initial PAP (production acceptance procedure) check list inspection items, and it looks like all of our avionics and other electrical items are working properly.
We will continue with the check list next week, get coolant and oil installed in the engine systems, and hopefully do the first engine start...
We had 6 of the guys at this weeks work session which made it a bit hectic with lots of things happening all at once. It also allowed us to make a lot of progress, and to finalize a lot of little details.
Construction is now completed except for finishing the placard installation, finishing a couple little details on the canopy latch, installing the ELT antenna, and to complete most of the Miscellania section 33 (Install interior inspection covers, seat belts, etc.)
We completed some of the initial PAP (production acceptance procedure) check list inspection items, and it looks like all of our avionics and other electrical items are working properly.
We will continue with the check list next week, get coolant and oil installed in the engine systems, and hopefully do the first engine start...
Day 53 - February 12, 2011
We had four of the guys at our work session this week.
The propeller/spinner installation was completed.
We also finished a lot of little details such as the cooling shroud modification,installed the fuel filler tube, insulating foil on the interior of the cowling, and a few final details for the canopy installation.
It is looking like we are on track for a first engine start in two weeks!
Day 52 - February 5, 2011
We had three of our Team Members at our regular work session this week. This week was a final mile stone of sorts. We got the canopy fiberglass layup work finished which was the last major project that we needed to get past as we near completion. It is now mostly finish shaped and sanded, but still needs filling and final sanding in preparation for paint.
We also completed the final chapter (#60) of the main construction manual with the completion of the engine control installation. We got close to finishing the spinner installation, and finished up some misc. items such as installing radiator seals on the cowling, finishing the heater control, and installing the heat shield metal foil in the cowl bottom.
Day 51 - February 3, 2011
We had another mid-week work session to complete the canopy fiberglass layup so that it wouldn't interupt our work progress at our regular work session.
Day 50 - January 29, 2011
Due to illness and other schedule conflicts, we only had two Team Members at our Saturday work session this week. We still made some good progress with all of the fitting and drilling of the propeller spinner which is now completed. We just need to final size the holes and install nutplates for the screws.
We also got the surface preparation work on the canopy completed, so we should be doing the fiberglass lay up very soon.
We also got the surface preparation work on the canopy completed, so we should be doing the fiberglass lay up very soon.
Day 49 - January 27, 2011
We had a couple of the guys attend a special mid week work session to allow some work to be done on the canopy without it impacting access to other areas during our regular Saturday session.
We have been postponing the canopy fiberglass work because of the impact it would have on other progress, but we are at the point where it is just about all that is left. We completed some final fit checks of the canopy and got most of the shaping done on the foam filler pieces.
Day 48 - January 22, 2011
We missed our work session last week because our program leader was sick, but it seems as though we made up for it this week.
We made great progress on the engine installation. All of the engine wiring is now completed. The only thing engine related left to do is install the engine controls and propeller.
We finished up a lot of loose ends such as: we installed the interior cover panels and the fuel tank; bled the brake system; and filled cleco holes in the cowling.
Day 47 - January 8, 2011
We had four Team Members at this week's work session (our first for the new year), despite some icy roads in our area.
We continue to make slow steady progress as we near the end.
We now have the cooling duct bonded into the cowling, and we were able to verify that we have good alignment and proper clearance of the propeller spinner to the cowling.
We have made additional progress on the Fire Wall Forward wiring.
In the photo below, we installed the golden rivet (figuratively) during this work session by doing the last of the riveting with the installation of the aft cockpit top skins and the rear window.
We are now at the point where the work that remains is spread between about 5 of the 60 total construction chapters. We still have a lot to do, but the excitement level is building.
We continue to make slow steady progress as we near the end.
We now have the cooling duct bonded into the cowling, and we were able to verify that we have good alignment and proper clearance of the propeller spinner to the cowling.
We have made additional progress on the Fire Wall Forward wiring.
In the photo below, we installed the golden rivet (figuratively) during this work session by doing the last of the riveting with the installation of the aft cockpit top skins and the rear window.
We are now at the point where the work that remains is spread between about 5 of the 60 total construction chapters. We still have a lot to do, but the excitement level is building.
Day 46 - December 18, 2010
This was our last work session of 2010. We had four team members in attendance.
We completed the Avionics Kit installation, and made additional progress on the Powerplant installation with work focused on finishing the Engine Cooling System Section and the Firewall Forward Wiring Section.
We will be on Holiday break for the next two Saturdays but will be back at work on January 8th.
We completed the Avionics Kit installation, and made additional progress on the Powerplant installation with work focused on finishing the Engine Cooling System Section and the Firewall Forward Wiring Section.
We will be on Holiday break for the next two Saturdays but will be back at work on January 8th.
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