rgmwa

Use a file on straight edges and a de-burring tool on holes to remove the burrs, followed by a Scotchbrite pad (the maroon colour) to smooth the edges. Or use a Scotchbrite deburring wheel to do both jobs - depends on the size and shape of the part. You should be able to get Scotchbrite pads from a decent paint shop. Burrs act as local stress raisers and can initiate fatigue cracking, so deburring rough edges in aluminium components is important. rgmwa

You could try Western Airmotive at Jandakot for AN bolts. PILOTSHOPWA (Western Airmotive) (Powered by CubeCart) rgmwa

A ladder looks doable too ... rgmwa

As you're in the US, probably best to ask your instructor and talk to other local pilots. There are plenty of choices. A used pair of Dave Clarks would be a good start, or maybe Lightspeed Sierra if you want an ANR set, which is probably preferable. Try a few different ones to see which suits you best. rgmwa

Started building control line models at 13. Saved for my first model and an OS.15 by collecting parcels from the railway station for my parents' business at 10 cents a parcel. rgmwa

SAAA sell them in single sheets. rgmwa

No diagonal bracing? rgmwa

I understand that. Had lots in my own plane, both `pop' and standard rivets in countersunk or dimpled holes. Just had some concerns about using countersunk head rivets made with a hammer. Holding a nutplate in position may not be too risky, but you would never want to use them in a critical application (ie. just about anywhere else). rgmwa

Not wanting to sound overly critical, but if those rivets are only intended to hold a nutplate in position, then you'll probably get away with it (unless they shear off eventually). However, if they're structural rivets then use the correct aircraft grade ones and also take note of the correct cutter or dimple die countersink angle to use. AC-43.13 1B is a good reference for how to put aeroplane bits together properly http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentid/99861 You probably won't find instructions on how to make countersunk rivets in there. Also, scroll down the page here and download Section 5. Different manufacturer, but Section 5 has a lot of practical `how-t0' information in it. https://www.vansaircraft.com/public/service-rv12.htm rgmwa

... or lack of. Time will tell. Somebody once described a camel as `a horse designed by a committee'. Hope it doesn't apply to the F35. rgmwa

Hi Liz, Welcome to the forum. What's your interest in aviation? We have a very diverse lot of aviators here. If you're ever in Western Australia, right seat is reserved. rgmwa

Thanks Rick. I hadn't thought of them, although based on past experience, I may have to remind them that the coating is only Alclad, not gold. rgmwa

Does anyone know where I could get some 2024-T3 sheet in Perth? rgmwa

OzRunways rgmwa

What's happening with the engine while you're working on this project? rgmwa

Flew from Serpentine WA (YSEN) to Portland VIC (YPOD) where my parents live, with overnight stops at Esperance, Border Village and Whyalla. About 2,900 km so far with intermediate stops at Katanning, Cocklebiddy (rough strip), Nullarbor Roadhouse (good strip), Ceduna and Naracoorte. The biggest problem was not the flying or the navigating, but the logistics of getting mogas to the plane (except for the Nullarbor, oddly enough). Nevertheless a great experience. Even made page 3 of the local paper with a photo and article (maybe I should say relegated to page 3). Highlights so far have been flying along the cliffs at the Head of the Bight, crossing the Gawler Ranges in SA, and taking several people up for local flights around the Portland/Warrnambool area. These included my dad (aged 97) - first time he's ever flown with me, one of his friends (aged 86) from Geelong who according to his wife, still hasn't stopped talking about it, my young nephew who has just got a job as an inspector with the Fisheries Department in Portland, but had never seen the coastline from the air, and one of my brother's friends who was terrified of flying but determined to have a go and is still over the moon at what he achieved. He came back the next day with an A4 page of questions about flying, and has since watched every RV12 video he could find on uTube. He's become an RV groupie, if there is such a thing. That's really what being able to fly is all about. Now I just have to get back to WA! At 7,500' NE of Esperance... Head of the Bight... Overnight stop at Border Village (luckily the winds weren't too strong)... rgmwa

First 727 flies again... http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/original-boeing-727-prepares-for-its-final-takeoff/ rgmwa

I read somewhere that Packard made quite a few design changes to the Merlin, mainly to facilitate mass production. rgmwa

I thought the two small fans for the pilots above the windscreen made the cockpit feel a bit more homely. Nice touch! rgmwa

The Facet pump for the 912ULS in the RV-12 is a 40105. You could order one from Vans - probably cheaper postage than A/C. http://vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?ident=1456236795-212-141&browse=engines&product=pump-carb rgmwa.

We'll that's it! I'm giving up on the airlines and taking my own aircraft from now on, even if it takes me a bit longer to get there. I can accept that I have no hope of landing an airliner, but there's no way I'm risking flying with some other passenger who thinks he/she can. rgmwa

For what it's worth, the RV-12 has a return fuel line. rgmwa

OK, I wrote all that down. Can't wait to get my beer and meet the press gallery now. rgmwa

Ah, a nicely balanced relationship, Bex. You're a lucky man! rgmwa

I did it recently. Joined mid-field cross wind and flew a right hand circuit, which was the correct procedure for the same runway on a neighbouring airfield that I've often flown out of. Fortunately no other aircraft in the circuit at the time. All too easy to do if you're not careful. rgmwa