C-GXTM first flight

[RV7 To Go]

Finally after a month of crap weather C-GXTM had her first flight yesterday. A few firsts for me....1st flight this year, 1st time behind a CS prop, WOW what a launch!, 1st time flying an 8, 1st time behind an AFS screen, 1st fuel injected engine, 1st injected hot start - got some figuring out to do! With all the drafts in the cabin at our -9C temp on the ground I froze everything except my butt off, thanks to the seat heater. Still a joy to fly an RV! All you builders out there keep pounding those rivets...the effort is well worth it! This is my 4th RV, 3rd build and still smiling every flight! Looking forward to the next flight.

My buddy posted a short YouTube video of my taxi back to the hangar.

 

[DeltaRomeo]

Yes!!!!!
Many congratulations!

 

[RV7 To Go]

Thank you DR! Your site has been a valuable resource over the years with the wealth of knowledge and expertise provided by your many subscribers. I thank you for that!!

 

[riseric]

Al,
Congratulations !!!
Another canadian RV-8 in the skies
As for the cold drafts, I understand you.
I recently plugged both main wing spar and right side rear passenger SCAT entry with closed cell foam.
The duct tape is temporary to hold everything in place until I think about a more permanent holding solution.
That eliminated the "tornado" of cold air inside, especially for the rear passenger.
Up front, it eliminated a cold draft near the throttle quadrant.
Also, try to seal the canopy vs fuselage as best you can.
Last flight was about -11C and we were nice and comfy up there.
Good luck !!

 

[RV7 To Go]

Thanks Eric!

Had another flight today. Not as cold, only -5C at altitude instead of -15. I had already put foam in the spar gaps and have aileron boots. I put fuzzy Velcro around the bottom of the canopy skirt today which got rid of the buzzing I heard on the first flight and helped a bit with the draft. I have to do some work with the heat muff...no room for a stock one on the other side and it's already plumbed for reverse flow. Good idea on the vent line for the back seat...I don't think I sealed it up. Happy to be back in the air again since I hadn't flown in 3 months after selling my 7. Thanks again for the ideas!

 

[ATC_RV8OR]

Al,
Congratulations !!!
Another canadian RV-8 in the skies
As for the cold drafts, I understand you.
I recently plugged both main wing spar and right side rear passenger SCAT entry with closed cell foam.
The duct tape is temporary to hold everything in place until I think about a more permanent holding solution.
That eliminated the "tornado" of cold air inside, especially for the rear passenger.
Up front, it eliminated a cold draft near the throttle quadrant.
Also, try to seal the canopy vs fuselage as best you can.
Last flight was about -11C and we were nice and comfy up there.
Good luck !!

What about this? https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/flangedduct.php
It would involve two clamps on each side for the Scat but would eliminate the oversized hole the Scat runs through per plans.

 

[RV7 To Go]

What about this? https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/flangedduct.php
It would involve two clamps on each side for the Scat but would eliminate the oversized hole the Scat runs through per plans.

It's a good idea but I think it would be difficult to install due to the limited space at the wing root. Might work out if I can leave enough hose to clamp it first to the outboard side and and then mount it to the rib. We'll see.

 

[MIKE JG]

Mad respect for doing your first flights in these temps! What a winter we're having this year, I'm over it already!

 

[RV7 To Go]

Mad respect for doing your first flights in these temps! What a winter we're having this year, I'm over it already!

Totally agree! It's been miserable....40 cm of snow last Wednesday. Now another 25 cm overnight and if it hasn't been snowing its been blowing a gale, no vis or just too cold. Only 7 hrs of my 25 flown off since first flight on Jan 28. Hurry up and wait for the next flight.