Smitty's RV-9A - Experimental Aircraft from Van's Aircraft The RV-9A from Van's Aircraft Sunday, July 27, 2008 -
Howdeeeeee! I'm building an RV-9A from Van's Aircraft. Take your shoes off and sit a spell. Give me a holler if ya' got questions or ya' just wanna chew the fat about RV's.
 
Howdy Ya'll!
Howdy! I building an RV-9A! I'm an aviation nut and am excited about building my RV-9A from Van's Aircraft. Have a look around!
Do what yer' Momma said...
Go Play!
Navigation
Homepage
Log Search
Email Me
Fun Places To Fly
  RV-6A RV6A RV6 RV-6A RV7A RV7 RV-9A RV-9 RV9 RV-8A RV-8 RV8 RV-10 RV10 aviation aircraft Van's Aircraft RV8 RV8A RV-8 RV-8A RV-6 RV6 RV-6A RV6A RV-9 RV-9A RV9 RV9A RV10 RV-10 aopa eaa aviation experimental homebuilt airplane aircraft plane oshkosh
Construction Log
Preparation
Empennage
- Horizontal Stabilizer (49:40)
- Vertical Stabilizer (21:15)
- Rudder (32:15)
- Right Elevator (35:45)
- Left Elevator (30:50)
Wings
- Inventory & Setup (9:30)
- Left Wing Prep (54:30)
- Left Fuel Tank (45:20)
- Left Wing Skins (46:10)
- Right Wing Prep (34:15)
- Right Fuel Tank (47:50)
- Right Wing Skins (40:15)
- Ailerons (54:30)
- Flaps (40:30)
- Rods and ends (18:45)
Fuselage
- Fuselage Parts List
- Inventory and Setup (7:15)
- FireWall (14:30)
- F-704 Bulkhead (13:25)
- F-705 Bulkhead (14:20)
- Other Bulkheads
   and Longerons
(17:30)

- Tailcone (9:30)
Finish Kit
RV Google Search
This Google search engine only looks for information on specific RV-related websites.
RV-9A Construction Log:
Total RV-9A construction time so far: 637 Hours, 50 Minutes
Current Construction Phase: Tailcone
Here's the latest entry:
Getting ready for the final drilling of the skins7/25/2008 - Getting ready for the final drilling of the skins

The instructions talked about a plumb-bob for keeping things in line, but I decided to use my digital level to make sure things were sitting level for the final drilling. It seems to me that the most important thing is find a way to keep this dude from moving around while drilling the holes.

Search my Construction Log:
Why the RV-9A?
Why the RV-9A? Take a look! The RV-9A is a 2-seat all-aluminum airplane, designed to be an easy-to-fly, economical and versatile aircraft. It has an average cruise of about 180mph and only burns about 7.5gph. It was designed for day-to-day flying, local trips and short cross-countries, with occasional long flights. Thanks to it's larger wings and long slotted flaps, even low time pilots find it easy to fly and land. Unlike it's sister aircraft, the RV-7A, the RV-9A it is not aerobatic. That's OK with me, since I like the contents of my stomach to stay where they are. I helped a friend of mine assemble the empennage on his RV-7A and I have already noticed that the RV-9A empennage is much easier to build. As of February 12, 2007, Van's Aircraft has over 4,997 aircraft completed by everday common folk using the skills they aquired in the building process.
Random RV Aircraft Pics - just fer fun...
Great photo from Pete HowellGreat photo from Pete Howell
Tom Berge's yellowbird -7A in the background. Photo by -7 builder Peter Fruehling, Mike Behnke cameraship pilot.

Hey! Why not send me a picture of your RV, or any RV related photo? If it passes inspection (my wifes scrutiny) I will post it! Just attach your photo to an email to Smitty@SmittysRV.com along with a short description. Click here to see the RV Photo Album.
Are you ready for OSHKOSH?
The "cover your butt" section
This website was built to document my work on my RV-9A in compliance with the FAA requirements needed to certify my aircraft. My experiences and comments are by no means to be considered as instructions on how to build an RV-9A or any other aircraft.
Videos
Oshkosh Motivator
RV Information
Van's Aircraft
EAA Homebuilders
RV Resources
RV Photo Album
Completed RV-9's
RV-7/9A Drawings
RV Email Archive
RV Groups & Support
All RV's - Matronics
Yahoo - RV7A & 9A
Rivet Bangers
Van's Air Force
The RV Squadron
Slide Shows
Alliance Air Show 2006
Oshkosh 2007
North Texas RV Builders Flyin
How I Did Stuff
Pop-Rivet Dimpler 101
My Wing Jig
My Wing Cradle
Wing Cradle Mod
Tilting Tank Jig
Delrin Aileron Stops
Misc Goodies
Fuselage Parts List
Van's "The List" Search
How to Land an RV
Sealing Fuel Tank Leaks
My Tools
Paint Possibilities
Build an RV Website
Electrical Stuff
Bob Collins Engine
Oshkosh 2008 LIVE!
EAA Events
EAA Sport Pilot Tour
AirVenture
AirVenture
Air Shows
RV Pictures
Van's Tent
Warbird Favorites
AirVenture Website
Aviation - RV-9A Aircraft