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OK….What’s Next?

Ironflight

VAF Moderator / Line Boy
Mentor
The obvious answer, of course, is Phase 1!

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My FAA Managing Specialist drove up from Fresno and we did the Rocket inspection while teaching a new guy from Reno how to do E-AB inspections. Had a great time, and only found one bolt a single dash number short (its a temporary bolt holding the rear stick in place while I wait for a Pip Pin…). Knocked out my annual management review for my DAR certificate at the same time.

Of course, the shop is far from empty - the majority of the space is now Louise’s for the RV-15…and I am going to have to start looking through all the parts and pieces for the RV-3.4 project that we inherited from Master Builder David Howe and figure out where to start on assembling that project - fabrication is mostly finished, and its probably time to get it on gear and hang the engine!

But first, a day to re-assemble the Rocket, then maybe a day of flight test work-up flying in the RV-3 (all maneuvers plus lots of power-off landings) to get myself ready for the airplane’s first flight!
 
The obvious answer, of course, is Phase 1!

View attachment 119029

My FAA Managing Specialist drove up from Fresno and we did the Rocket inspection while teaching a new guy from Reno how to do E-AB inspections. Had a great time, and only found one bolt a single dash number short (its a temporary bolt holding the rear stick in place while I wait for a Pip Pin…). Knocked out my annual management review for my DAR certificate at the same time.

Of course, the shop is far from empty - the majority of the space is now Louise’s for the RV-15…and I am going to have to start looking through all the parts and pieces for the RV-3.4 project that we inherited from Master Builder David Howe and figure out where to start on assembling that project - fabrication is mostly finished, and its probably time to get it on gear and hang the engine!

But first, a day to re-assemble the Rocket, then maybe a day of flight test work-up flying in the RV-3 (all maneuvers plus lots of power-off landings) to get myself ready for the airplane’s first flight!
CONGRATULATIONS! I kinda thought that it might pass.
 
The obvious answer, of course, is Phase 1!

View attachment 119029

My FAA Managing Specialist drove up from Fresno and we did the Rocket inspection while teaching a new guy from Reno how to do E-AB inspections. Had a great time, and only found one bolt a single dash number short (its a temporary bolt holding the rear stick in place while I wait for a Pip Pin…). Knocked out my annual management review for my DAR certificate at the same time.

Of course, the shop is far from empty - the majority of the space is now Louise’s for the RV-15…and I am going to have to start looking through all the parts and pieces for the RV-3.4 project that we inherited from Master Builder David Howe and figure out where to start on assembling that project - fabrication is mostly finished, and its probably time to get it on gear and hang the engine!

But first, a day to re-assemble the Rocket, then maybe a day of flight test work-up flying in the RV-3 (all maneuvers plus lots of power-off landings) to get myself ready for the airplane’s first flight!
I think you should build an RV-10 and hang a couple of jets on it!
 
The obvious answer, of course, is Phase 1!

View attachment 119029

My FAA Managing Specialist drove up from Fresno and we did the Rocket inspection while teaching a new guy from Reno how to do E-AB inspections. Had a great time, and only found one bolt a single dash number short (its a temporary bolt holding the rear stick in place while I wait for a Pip Pin…). Knocked out my annual management review for my DAR certificate at the same time.

Of course, the shop is far from empty - the majority of the space is now Louise’s for the RV-15…and I am going to have to start looking through all the parts and pieces for the RV-3.4 project that we inherited from Master Builder David Howe and figure out where to start on assembling that project - fabrication is mostly finished, and its probably time to get it on gear and hang the engine!

But first, a day to re-assemble the Rocket, then maybe a day of flight test work-up flying in the RV-3 (all maneuvers plus lots of power-off landings) to get myself ready for the airplane’s first flight!
Congratulations........AGAIN!! I assume it passed because none of the heat tiles were missing............... :LOL:
 
Congrats, Paul. And thanks for being the guy that didn’t try to come up with a reason why bringing a second person along with the FAA inspector was a really bad idea…
 
Every time I open up VAF, I see you completing another big step! I think about how to tackle my cowl fiberglass longer than it takes you to do all of the fiberglass, paint the plane and get it signed off! I guess I need to build another 6 or 7 planes (I'm at one...) and catch up on the experience front. Very inspiring.
 
Outstanding--Congratulations Paul--now on to the really fun/rewarding part--first flight!!!
Did you really make Louise buy the donuts!???
I really like your paint scheme--compliments the lines of the Rocket and displays some things that make it yours. Well done!
Cheers,
Dave B
 
Outstanding--Congratulations Paul--now on to the really fun/rewarding part--first flight!!!
Did you really make Louise buy the donuts!???
I really like your paint scheme--compliments the lines of the Rocket and displays some things that make it yours. Well done!
Cheers,
Dave B
The important things are always left up to the Wife!
 
The obvious answer, of course, is Phase 1!

View attachment 119029

My FAA Managing Specialist drove up from Fresno and we did the Rocket inspection while teaching a new guy from Reno how to do E-AB inspections. Had a great time, and only found one bolt a single dash number short (its a temporary bolt holding the rear stick in place while I wait for a Pip Pin…). Knocked out my annual management review for my DAR certificate at the same time.

Of course, the shop is far from empty - the majority of the space is now Louise’s for the RV-15…and I am going to have to start looking through all the parts and pieces for the RV-3.4 project that we inherited from Master Builder David Howe and figure out where to start on assembling that project - fabrication is mostly finished, and its probably time to get it on gear and hang the engine!

But first, a day to re-assemble the Rocket, then maybe a day of flight test work-up flying in the RV-3 (all maneuvers plus lots of power-off landings) to get myself ready for the airplane’s first flight!
Congratulations and have a lot of safe .
 
Congratulations and have a lot of safe .
The obvious answer, of course, is Phase 1!

View attachment 119029

My FAA Managing Specialist drove up from Fresno and we did the Rocket inspection while teaching a new guy from Reno how to do E-AB inspections. Had a great time, and only found one bolt a single dash number short (its a temporary bolt holding the rear stick in place while I wait for a Pip Pin…). Knocked out my annual management review for my DAR certificate at the same time.

Of course, the shop is far from empty - the majority of the space is now Louise’s for the RV-15…and I am going to have to start looking through all the parts and pieces for the RV-3.4 project that we inherited from Master Builder David Howe and figure out where to start on assembling that project - fabrication is mostly finished, and its probably time to get it on gear and hang the engine!

But first, a day to re-assemble the Rocket, then maybe a day of flight test work-up flying in the RV-3 (all maneuvers plus lots of power-off landings) to get myself ready for the airplane’s first flight!
I sure would like to know your secret in getting the FAA to send someone out and do your inspections?
 
The obvious answer, of course, is Phase 1!

View attachment 119029

My FAA Managing Specialist drove up from Fresno and we did the Rocket inspection while teaching a new guy from Reno how to do E-AB inspections. Had a great time, and only found one bolt a single dash number short (its a temporary bolt holding the rear stick in place while I wait for a Pip Pin…). Knocked out my annual management review for my DAR certificate at the same time.

Of course, the shop is far from empty - the majority of the space is now Louise’s for the RV-15…and I am going to have to start looking through all the parts and pieces for the RV-3.4 project that we inherited from Master Builder David Howe and figure out where to start on assembling that project - fabrication is mostly finished, and its probably time to get it on gear and hang the engine!

But first, a day to re-assemble the Rocket, then maybe a day of flight test work-up flying in the RV-3 (all maneuvers plus lots of power-off landings) to get myself ready for the airplane’s first flight!
To paraphrase an old movie before your first flight , It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot. Fantastic job.👍
 
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