My name is Phil Birkelbach and I built a
Van's Aircraft
RV-7 kitplane.
First Flight
Check out the first flight report here.
The RV-7 is a kit-build, all-aluminum, two place, 200 mph, aerobatic capable airplane that is just about
as pretty an airplane as I have ever seen. Why would I do such a thing? Click
here for the answer.
I started the project on March 13, 2001. It's come a long way since then.
I first flew the plane on September 18, 2005.
I have registered the plane as
N727WB.
The reason that I am building this web site is because I have received a lot of help from
others who have kept similar sites and I guess the best way to pay them back is to keep
my own web site for others to use. It is also a convienient place for family and friends
to keep up with how I am coming along. Along the way I have found another very good
reason to have a website like this. It allows people to take a look at things I've done
and occasionaly let me know that I did something wrong or to remind me that I forgot
something. If you see anything on this site that you don't think is quite right, please
feel free to send me an email. I
promise you won't hurt my feelings.
This site doubles as my builders log. A builders log is needed to prove to the FAA that I
built at least 51% of the plane, and that I did it for my own 'recreation or
education' so that I can get an Experimental Amateur Built airworthiness certificate
once I finish.
Please feel free to browse around and if you have any questions maybe I have
already answered them on my
Frequently Asked Questions page. If not feel free
to send me an email. I also would
appreciate any comments you have on the site.
The state of the machine:
If you would like more information on homebuilding a good place to start is the
EAA.
September 14, 2005 - 1.6 hours
Finished installing all the covers. I put on the flap mechansim covers and the baggage bulkhead.
September 13, 2005 - 1.5 hours
I took the fuel filter out and took it apart to see how dirty it was. There were a few tiny little flakes of what appeared to be pro-seal. Other than that it was clean. I also managed to get the covers over the fuel pump assembly and the seat covers installed.
September 5, 2005 - 2 hours
Today N727WB became a real airplane. It passed inspection by the DAR! It's a huge relief to have that done. (The hours for the inspection are not included in the log.) I used up the battery in my electric screwdriver installing access covers and fairings. I got all the exterior panels and fairings installed.
September 4, 2005 - 3 hours
Today I finished up countersinking and dimpling all the access ccovers and fairings that I just hadn't gotten done until today. I also crawled up under the panel and secured all those panels that cover up the wiring and fuel lines. While I was down there I tightened up the fittings on the pitot system. Afterwards I retested the pitot system for leaks and it seems to be sealing fine now. I guess my leak was one of those fittings behind the panel.
September 3, 2005 - 5.5 hours
I put a shop vac in the inlet filter box to pressurize the induction system and then checked for leaks with some soap and water. I couldn't find any. Then Vern came by and helped me get the idle mixture set and we also checked the timing. To check the Lightspeed electronic ignition a normal automotive timing light is used. The timing was WAAYY off. Apparently the people at the build shop can't read the manual. I reset it according to the book and now the engine seems to be running much better.
