Alex's Vans RV-10 Build Log

I again took advantage of a break in the rainy weather to prime the rear wing spars. These didn't take too long to prep and prime, I just had to be careful with handling them as they are each about 12 feet long. Rear spars drying after cleaning with EkoEtch Using packing paper to protect the primed finish while moving the spar around on the priming table Both spars primed and ready to be riveted to the wing ribs once I finish attaching those to the main spars So far with my experiences working with Stewart Systems EkoPrime in an outdoor setting, I have found the following conditions give the best, most consistent, priming results temperature - 64F - 70F away from direct sunlight calm wind (of course!) Primer used:   ~125g + 12g distilled water Time Taken:       1.7  hours Dates:                    March 20 2024 RV-10 Build Total Time:      620 .1  hours Priming Total Time:  ...

Aside from working on my wings, the last few months I have been busy preparing to receive my RV-10 fuselage and finish kits.  I originally placed the order for my fuselage kit back in November 2022 with an estimated availability date of August 2023, however with recent events over at Van's this date got pushed back. I was finally sent a final payment request in January 2024, and received the email that the fuselage kit was ready for pickup on January 31. After Van's initially announced their business challenges, I took a chance and placed my RV-10 finish kit order on October 30 2023 hoping to lock in the original pricing and my place in line, fully expecting that it would be a year or two before receiving that kit. However, in January 2024, Van's also requested final payment for my finish kit (at the same time as the fuselage kit), and I was notified that the finish kit was ready for pickup on February 21. As I had marked both kits for will-call pickup, I asked Van's if...

Wing rib final assembly has begun! I started by riveting the flap hinge ribs and attach brackets to the respective wing ribs. These were all easily done with the pneumatic squeezer and the longeron yoke. Flap attachments riveted using the pneumatic squeezer I also riveted the torque tube support bracket assembly together with the pneumatic squeezer. Here, pay special attention to the orientation of the angle when riveting it to the torque tube support brackets!  While riveting the left wing torque tube assembly, I accidentally riveted the wrong face of the angle to the bracket (the angle holes still lined up perfectly), but when I test fit the assembly in the inboard wing rib, the holes in the bracket flanges did not line up with the rib flange holes.  To fix this, I had to drill out the 6 universal head rivets holding the angle to the torque tube assembly (no issues here if you follow the recommendations in this video ), and rivet the angle in again in the correct orientation...