Several people with whom I've discussed my recent work adding new reinforcement pieces to the plane questioned my sanity for relying on a company selling an apparently "untested" or "unsafe" product, especially one that can hurl you at the ground from 20,000 ft in the air.
On the contrary, the SB process is proof of the kit maufacturer's ongoing commitment (42 years at this writing) to continue to improve their products and make them safer for pilots. When a defect is discovered, Van's does a thorough engineering review and voluntarily publishes information to mitigate the problem, followed by making repair materials available for existing kits and incorporating the changes into future production kits.
I called Van's regarding the rib flange angle dilemma I faced, describing my proposed solution and outlining the resulting edge-distance issue.
Sterling agreed with my analysis and opined that many RVs would face a similar issue. He said that moving the rib flange inboard was acceptable, and that the edge-distance from the 2 center holes to the flange bend would not affect the safety of the airplane, it was acceptable, and I should "build on."
This problem-solving aspect of the build is one of the most attractive parts for me, and one of the best educational tools of Experimental-Amatuer Built (EAB) aircraft; nerve-wracking and frustrating though it may be...
Empennage: 0.5 hrs
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