VS

Inserted the VS skeleton into the jig again. It is ready for riveting

Tail wheel rating and boat

Got my tail wheel rating yesterday. It took 5 h and 10 min with a total of 53 landings! 49 of those were done yesterday during 3 1/2 hours. It was done in a Piper Cub where I have a chare (actually it is a "loan" to keep it operational, because the airplane is no less than a flying museum artifact belonging to Bodø Aircraft Museum). The Cub is an old Army Cub from 1954 used by the Military, an PA-18 Super Cub with 90 HP Continental engine. They say only 4 of these were built. Starting is by hand. I had my first solo ride in it this evening. All my flying from now on will be in this cub untill my -4 is finished. After having flown advanced aerodynamic shaped carbon fibre aircraft (The Atec Zephyr), it is almost unbelievable how extremely good this Cub is, a 80+ year old design.

Three weeks ago I also purchased an old boat. A 22' "snekke" (I have no idea what the english term for this boat class is, but the closest is probably a "positive displacement" cabin cruiser). It weighs 2 tons, has a 15 HP Yanmar diesel, and is perfect for cruising around in the fjord at sunny days. The boat is a homebuilt from the late 70s. Cruise speed (and max speed) is around 6 knots. The cruise speed of my RV-4 will be 30 times that! The pictures are with two of my sons today, and with Olaug last weekend where we went to Tautra, an island in the fjord with a 12 century monestary.

Rudder, leading edge

Finished the leading edge of the rudder. Need to debur and prime before riveting.

Riveted on the rudder skin

The rudder skin is riveted on the rudder skeleton. I used Cherrymax rivets on the control horn. I need to get a pipe wrench tomorrow to bend the leading edge into shape. I thought I could do it by hand, but it is way too strong and I just can't get a good grip on the pipe.

Stiffeners elevator, Rudder

Finished drilling and deburring the stiffeners on the left elevator. Started again on the rudder. The skin has to be riveted on to free up some clamps that is on the rudder jig before doing anything else.