TL;DR: If you have a badge already, thank you and no need to read this.
To get your badge:
NOTE: If you won’t use a credit card online, you can mail a check/cash if you must. Complicates accounting, but still very much appreciated (you don’t get a badge using this method). Mailing info here:
…..thanks for reading through the commercial, and now on to today’s VAF News:
News from EarthX
EarthX Lithium Batteries has a new 8 Ah backup battery for experimental aircraft! Designed and engineered specifically for avionics and critical electronic systems.
earthxbatteries.com
Completed the SB on our School RV-12iS today.
175 hrs, No missing rivets.
As previously mentioned, the use of the Numatix Hydraulic Riveter makes this SB a non-event.
OFF TOPIC:
Please consider donating annually to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Get your VansAirForce.net Charity Cap!
Past ‘VAF News’ issues:
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
Dear VAF Family,
A quick, heartfelt note from the guy trying his hardest to keep the lights on and the vibe civil slash non-political:
This site runs mostly on voluntary donations — every badge subscription helps pay for the bandwidth, servers, and storage that keep this online community running. And my groceries and health insurance. A handful of wonderful advertisers help too (huge thanks to them), but it is still the supporter badges that keep VAF in the black and on screens worldwide.
For the past 18 years VAF has been my full-time job.* At age 60, being self-employed has me now in full “Max Q” stress mode. I’m not complaining — I love what I do — but I do need your financial help to keep doing it if you think it should stay online. 1-person online community careers are not only rare, but risky.
If you use VAF and don’t yet have a supporter badge, please consider grabbing one today. It is the preferred, and easiest, way to help keep VAF online. It’s truly the only thing that guarantees it stays online - sharing RV builds, asking RV technical questions, motivating and helping the community fly safer.
I’m not comfortable flooding you with emails, so I just occasional remind you here (a little more frequently in December).
If you have a lot of posts and no badge under your username, or you’ve been a daily unregistered lurker for some time, I would appreciate it if you would consider signing up and getting a badge to help me keep things going. VAF is pricey to run, more pricey each year, and self-employed health insurance is stunningly expensive in the 60-65 age bracket. I’d prefer to not need a third part time job, or have to become a full time sim instructor (I’ve been offered it - and its health insurance). I would prefer to continue to do VAF full time if at all possible. It is my passion.
Thank you to everyone who already supports the site, and those who decide to.
v/r,
dr
* I have two additional part time jobs to help with bills.
To get your badge:
NOTE: If you won’t use a credit card online, you can mail a check/cash if you must. Complicates accounting, but still very much appreciated (you don’t get a badge using this method). Mailing info here:
…..thanks for reading through the commercial, and now on to today’s VAF News:
WDYDWYRTW? Thanksgiving Weekend 2025
What did you do with your RV this Thanksgiving weekend? Looking forward to hearing the reports of work progress and motivational flights. v/r,dr
vansairforce.net
Show us your panel !
My 9 G3X panel. Standard size panel. Just a reference in case it helps someone with layout or ideas. Can't wait to fly it
vansairforce.net
News from EarthX
EarthX Lithium Batteries has a new 8 Ah backup battery for experimental aircraft! Designed and engineered specifically for avionics and critical electronic systems.
EBBS 8Ah Backup Battery
New! EarthX 8Ah backup battery for avionics and critical electronics controls for your aircraft to deliver uncompromising reliability when it matters most!
earthxbatteries.com
RV-4 #4175 Fastback Conversion
My 4 is down for a bit for a several little projects, like elevator reskinning due to some cracking, adding a light to the tail, possibly electric trim, fiberglass repair due to some less than perfect fits over the years, etc. While it's down, I decided to make it way worse for time and money...
vansairforce.net
Completed the SB on our School RV-12iS today.
175 hrs, No missing rivets.
As previously mentioned, the use of the Numatix Hydraulic Riveter makes this SB a non-event.
SB-00116 Regarding Autopilot Servo Attach Brackets Published
Mine is a 2015 with 1780 hours. All the rivets were in place and in good condition. I removed the angles from the bulkhead and replaced the 6 rivets on the bench. Total time to remove the interior, panels, R&R rivets, 42 minutes. Putting it back together will take a little longer. How did...
vansairforce.net
Apps or programs for designing a paint scheme - RV-8??
Like the thread title says, are there any programs out there where you can play with various designs, colors, livery, etc. I am planning on repainting the aircraft early next year and I have an idea of what I want - WWII Mustang-like scheme - but I'm going back and forth on how some actual real...
vansairforce.net
Rubbing Rudder
On the 2013 RV-12 I purchased last year, the top of the rudder is rubbing. Please see photo. Is the repaired by slightly grinding off some metal or is there a better fix? Thanks!
vansairforce.net
Sundog Extraordinaire While In Cruise
Just wanted to share what I had the good luck to see last week.. Contract gear-raiser slash ice-getter on a King Air 350 flight from Nashville to Fort Worth a week ago - earmarked the $$$ earned to replace 6yr old bifocals! Track log showed FL260. Saw items 1-6 simultaneously (even the 120*...
vansairforce.net
#2 cyl Air Dam RV-14 vs RV-10
Comparing the RV-10 #2 cyl air dam with the RV-14; the air dam on the RV-14 covers the injector. Is there some science behind this? Is this to prevent dirt/bugs hitting the injector's screen or is there any benefit in alternating the air pressure in that particular area? NOTE: My nr. 2 cyl...
vansairforce.net
OFF TOPIC:
Please consider donating annually to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Get your VansAirForce.net Charity Cap!
VAF Charity Cap: Help your charity and promote this site.
Get the cap all the cool kids are wearing! I don’t get a penny. It’s around $15. $5 more if you want your N-number on the back (I put 'STAFF' on the back of mine because it makes me laugh. Put STAFF on yours too if it makes you smile). And down the road $10 to the charity of your choice...
vansairforce.net
Past ‘VAF News’ issues:
Doug's Area ...The VAF News, About VAF, My Resume
Pushed out every now and then.
www.vansairforce.net
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
The VAF List ...a list of RV-related lists. RV-related things you might want to browse over (a closed post that is sticky and maintained by dr). Link to this in 'Links' in the menu. v/r,dr Small businesses that help bring you this list of RV-related lists: 360 Avionics www.360Avionics.com Ace...
vansairforce.net
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