My airplane is no longer for sale. Now, I'm looking for a couple of partners in the plane to help with the costs. It's a great opportunity for someone to learn to fly in their own plane.
Photos updated July 2, 2009. Check out the new pix in the "Finishing at FLAG section).
On July 24th I heard from the FAA regarding my inspection. Due to federal cut-backs they are running about 90-120 days for A/W inspections. So, I'm in line. I'll hear back from them when it gets closer.
It's DONE!! The plane is finished, moved to the airport and getting ready for final inspections.
My FAA registration arrived on 2/12/2009. N56DV is officially an aircraft!!
Last month I installed sound insulation to the inside of my firewall, floor, side panels and baggage compartment.
OMG. It's all starting to come together. It's time for me to start thinking about flying this thing.
1/19/2009 Just finished a great weekend at Corvair College #13, held at FLAG in Livermore, CA. It was a great turnout with an extraordinary group of builders & aviators. I had the chance to hang out with some old friends and made a lot of new ones. Check out the pictures and videos.
12/13/2008 The wingless bird tries to take flight. Today I ran the engine for 40 minutes, but this time I didn't chock the wheels or tie down the fuselage. I wanted to test the brakes and steering. The brakes held firm 'til just over 2000 rpm. The brakes and steering worked as advertised and I drove around the back parking lot a few times, making left and right turns and circles. I then made a longer trip around the building. WHAT A BLAST! 40 minutes of engine time and probably one mile of taxi time. I've made a lot of progress the past few weeks on the finishing stuff. Working at FLAG is making a HUGE difference. I'm still waiting for the cowling kit to arrive, then it will time to re-install the radio and fit the wings. It's getting close.
In November I moved my airplane to FLAG (First Light Aviation Group) in Livermore, across from the Airport. FLAG is set up with building bays, making it a lot easier to finish my airplane that it would be in my garage. No distractions and it's a total airplane environment. My final project is the engine cowling, then lots of little details, safety wiring, etc. I still have a few electrical items to finish, wiring the radio, transponder and ELT. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My hopes and dreams are to fly this plane to the Golden West EAA Fly-in next June.
5/16/2008 IT'S ALIVE!!!!!
Woody Harris came over today and we started up my engine. It fired right up after about six blades and ran smooth as a kitten. It's completely dry, not a drop of oil or fuel leaking anywhere. The pressure and temperature numbers are right on. WOW!!! What an exciting day. Let me tell you, If I can build an engine, ANYONE CAN!! Thank you William Wynne. (see new pix)
I thought the build would get easier when the airframe was finished, but now it's a million little jobs. Sometimes when I look at the plane I get a little overwhelmed with the number of small tasks, and just don't know where to start.
The wings and tail feathers are done and both wings are hanging from the rafters in the garage (above my wife's Miata, she hates that).
Hello fellow XL builders and potential builders. This minimalist site is my attempt to share my successes and failures with the XL building community. On the left is a link to my building pictures which I hope to update on a regular basis.
Feel free to e-mail me at the link shown at the left. I look forward to any comments, questions or ideas. Also, I always welcome visitors to my garage/airplane factory. If you find yourself in the Pleasanton, California area, please get in touch with me.
Thanks for stopping by.
Rich Vetterli
N56DV (reserved)
98% done - 15% to go.