Matt's RV-8 Project



Matt Dralle's RV-8 Project
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Date:  5-2-2011
Number of Hours:  1.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Landing Mishap - Damage Assement - Part 02

There's basically no way to "fix" the fuselage. The nature of the damage is such that it isn't practical or really even "safe" to try and repair. Not to mention it would look like a giant Band-Aid. Fortunately, Van's has a new QuickBuild fuselage in stock, so I will have to start with that. But, that means that there's going to be a sizable amount of work to get the 'ol RV-8 back in the air. Basically all of the internal wiring will have to be redone, and that's a lot of wiring. There are quite a few things that can be salvaged from the old fuselage like the interior and carpet and many of the various side panels. The instrument panel and most of the wiring directly behind it will likely be salvageable as is. Unfortunately, the front windshield and the beautiful mold-in-place fiberglass bezel will not survive the disassembly of the fuselage to recover the instrument panel and other bits. That fiberglass windscreen bezel is probably the one thing that I am the most disheartened about. It was an incredible amount of work and I dread having to start over from scratch on that. :-( All of the electronics and autopilot servos and controls will be salvageable as is. That will save a lot of time. I'll have to rivet the turtledeck top skins on again which was moderately stressful. Firewall forward should simply unbolt and bolt right onto the new fuselage assembly.

My insurance company, USAIG through the AOPA, was fantastic to work with and I've already received the rebuild check. As I mentioned, Van's had a QB fuselage in stock and if all goes well, all of the new parts and fuselage should be shipping on May 24 2011 and hopefully arrive by the three-day weekend. Based on my original builder's log, I estimate around 1172 hours to rebuild. At about 100 hours per month, that's 11 months to get 'er back in the air. Hopefully some of the things will go faster the second time around!

Cont Next Log...
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Detailed Damage Assement

Detailed Damage Assement

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Detailed Damage Assement

Detailed Damage Assement

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Detailed Damage Assement

Detailed Damage Assement

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