Experimenter

March 2013

Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.

Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/113663

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What is your mission? Do you really think you're going to be shooting an ILS to minimums every day after flying all day on autopilot? I sure don't want to, but this seems to be the current mentality. Do you want to do aerobatics? Do you want to land on grass? How long is your average flight? Do you really need an IO-360 and constant-speed prop? Do you need an autopilot, dual electronic flight information system, and Bose stereo? Would you like to burn mogas when and if 100LL goes away? When it really gets down to it, you don't need much fluff to have fun. The lighter the weight, the better they fly. Getting Started The X began as a search for RV projects from which to assemble and build a very low-cost, efficient, "fastback" RV-4. After purchasing a project through Cornerstone Ministries, the X began taking form. My costs started with the engine. With some searching I was able to find and rebuild an O-320A for a total expenditure of $6,500. I have always liked the "A" as it is slightly lighter and less costly than other O-320s and has a hollow crank if a constant speed prop becomes an option later. The prop with extension was $1,800. Panel? The MGL Enigma at $1,500 was a bargain when you looked at total capabilities and future growth potential. Interior appointments? Paint is all you need, and it weighs little if you keep it to one coat. Exterior paint? Keep it simple. One color is plenty. Vinyl graphics are reasonable. Vans Aircraft agrees, all its prototypes have vinyl over solid paint color. I had the luxury of two friends who restore cars help me really put a nice automotive finish on the X. You can, too. Time Out Te RVX en route to paint booth in 2008. A wing and a prayer, coming home from paint booth. Just as the pieces were coming together, 9/11 intervened. My part-time job as an F-16 pilot suddenly became full time, and I was deployed off and on for the next four years. While I was away, my dad and my friend Arvil conspired to combine my RV-4 bits with an RV-6 fuselage to complete what would become a very cool airplane. This required rejigging the wing, removing one center section bay, and attaching and RV-4 empennage to the -6 aft fuselage. Time to Fly Upon returning from overseas, I visited Arvil's shop, and behold, the X! It looked slightly different than a stock -6, something I couldn't put my finger on. It was the dimensions, slightly smaller tail, shorter wings, very RV-4-like. Hmmm, I really liked it. Three months My dad, Robert Ray Sr. and my late friend Arvil Porter gave the X one fnal look before I made the frst fight. Arvil's shop and the end of his 900-foot runway in the background. Arvil helped me immeasurably during the building of my RV-4 and the X. EAA Experimenter 27

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