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The VAF News - 12.17.2024. #6236.

DeltaRomeo

doug reeves: unfluencer
Staff member
dr
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Rest in Peace Mr. Clark Schadle


Vendor Introduction (Christopher at Terrestrial Imaging, LLC aka “DroMight”)
Hello VAF, my name is Christopher and I am the co-owner of Terrestrial Imaging, along with my oldest son, also Chris. We are a small New Jersey based company that provides uncrewed aircraft equipment and training services to public safety agencies and commercial operators. We also manufacture aftermarket component for crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
We are flying a beautiful RV-14A that we built over a three year period from 2019 to 2022. At the completion of our build, we started looking for the safest and most secure way to lock our rudder down when parked outside on the ramp. Our primary goal was to be able to lock the rudder from the interior of the aircraft prior to exiting. We purchased some of the products that were available in the marketplace and we were not happy with their performance. From there we decided that we would design our own solution, the DroMight Rudder lock. The end result is a rudder locking system that is by far the best way to secure the Rudder on the Vans RV-14 and RV-14A.
With these rudder locks now perfected for the RV-14 and RV-14A, we are starting to work on solutions for other airframes. To learn more about our rudder locks, please check out the following links below. Let us know if you have any questions. Fly often and fly safe!
https://www.terrestrialimaging.com/products/dromight-rudder-lock?_pos=1&_sid=9e0ac30b6&_ss=r
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jackking123

Spotlight on Classified
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dmattmul
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Newbie Questions
Serious (purposeful) questions. Looking for advice.

Background::
Me: PPL 2021 - ~200 hours currently. 58 yo. Retired Project, Program Manager ex-VP at Fortune 100 type companies.
Current Plane: own a low time Cessna 152 which I helped rebuild engine and airframe in 2020. Pure time builder and making available for others to learn. I am not an A&P and had no prior plane MX experience.
Not IFR rated yet. I don’t have aspirations of progressing to Commercial or Multi. Maybe CFI in real retirement to help others. No real local school at my home airport.

Building an RV-10. Started 2/2023. Section 30 now - Fuse Side skins. 60% done - 90% to go:)
Quick build wings.
Have all Van’s kits in hand except Firewall Forward (will order pieces needed - not kit)
Have IO/540 - narrow deck at 1800 hours - in hand - just taken off flying airplane. Flying great. Full oil analysis history. No prop strike etc. Plan to complete plane with this and rebuild engine 500 hrs in maybe
Have new MT- 3-blade composite prop in hand.
Have a full quote from Stein Air - for complete Garmin G3X panel. 6 month lead time - start to finish.
Have multiple A&P type, on field, mentors who guide me on specific build skills, powerplant install etc.
Have a mature project plan and budget for all final parts / pieces needed to complete RV-10.
Last 3 years to AirVenture and spouse says - “get er done”

I believe we can finish the RV-10 in 6-9 months - likely not Airventure this year :) Paint and OSH another year.
Of course I will go and get transition training to the RV-10 for my skills and for insurance reasons.

Questions:
RV-10 testing /break-in: Can I train to do this myself (again not a new engine) or should I be looking for an experienced RV-10 pilot mentor or 10,000 hour friend to help / guide / do this phase?
Should I go get / finish up IFR training (IFR6.com as a personal recommended example) prior to my plane completion - or wait til RV-10 is done and complete training in my new plane? If I can do test phase without IFR - sort of answers this but would welcome recommendations.

I thought these would lead to a hearty discussion.

Kevin Ellingwood


OFF TOPIC:
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