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...

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.

Two of the guys got it done with very good results, but both mentioned that they will never get involved in an airplane project that is built entirely of fiberglass!

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.

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.