Matt's RV-6 Project



Matt Dralle's RV-6 Project
Builder:
Matt Dralle
Location:
Livermore, CA - USA
Aircraft:
Van's - RV-6
Manufacturer:   
 http://www.vansaircraft.com/
Engine:
Lycoming - O-360
Prop:
Hartzell
Total Build Time:
166 Hours

Greetings!

This blog documents the further adventures of Matt Dralle and the purchase and revitalization of his RV-6, N360EM.

If you have any questions or would like high-resolution versions of any of the photos found herein, please don't hesitate to email dralle@matronics.com.

You can also check out my complete RV-8 Construction Site here:

http://www.mattsrv8.com
Purchasing RV-6 N360EM

In 2010 I flew my RV-8 N998RV over 170 hours from the Test Flight on May 2 2010 to the Mishap on May 1 2011. That's a lot of flying and a lot of fun. For the last three and a half months, I haven't flown at all, and I have to say I was really missing it! So, I got the great idea to get me another airplane to fly in the meantime while the RV-8 gets rebuilt! I kept my eye on http://www.barnstormers.com for a couple of weeks and a nice RV-6 showed up for sale and best of all it was over in Vacaville, not far from Livermore. The RV-6 is similar to the RV-8, but it has side-by-seating instead of tandem seating. There are a few other differences too, but basically it is, for all intense and purposes, the same basic airplane. I called up the seller and asked some questions about it and we scheduled a Saturday about three weeks ago for him to fly over to Livermore so I could check it out. When he arrived, we pulled the cowling off and I had a look at the engine and stuff under the hood. The plane was built by the seller, Ed Martinson, in 1994 and he has put about 1300 hours on it since he first flew it back then. After the inspection, we went for a little flight so I could check it out first hand and get a sense of how it flew and handled. I was impressed all around by the quality of the plane and so the next week I made him an offer on it and he accepted.

On Saturday 8/20/2011 Ed and I scheduled to meet over at the Vacaville/NutTree airport where he has it based to closed the deal. I asked a good friend and fellow RV builder/flyer, Harry Crosby, and who is also based out of Livermore, if he'd fly me over to pick up the RV-6 Saturday morning and he said he'd be happy too!

I met Harry at his hangar at Livermore about 8:15am and we taxied out in his very nice yellow and white RV-6 about 8:30am. Its a pretty short flight over to Vacaville from Livermore and we landed and taxied up to Ed's hanger about 9:10am. Ed and his wife were waiting for us and the Red and Gold RV-6 was too! We got out and checked the plane out and Ed showed me the typical preflight that he does on the RV-6. We filled out and signed a bunch of various paperwork and I presented Ed with a Cashiers Check for the balance of the sale price (I'd mailed him a 10% deposit a couple of weeks prior.) We had a nice chat with Ed and his wife after the business was complete.

The new RV-6 is a dream to fly! It has a 180hp engine and a constant speed prop and performs almost as good as my RV-8. It isn't quite as nose heavy as the RV-8, so that makes it a little easier to fly, particularly in formation. It was really great to be back in the air again today, to say the least!

Revitalization of RV-6 N360EM - A New Glass Panel & Interior

I flew the RV-6 about 4 hours when I decided that I just really missed having the glass panel and all the electronic navigation goodies that I had become accustom to in the RV-8. I also missed the VP-200 electrical system, the electric flaps, the electric trims, the Infinity stick grips, the TruTrak dual axis autopilot, the race car quality Hooker harnesses, and of course the totally sweet stereo intercom and jammin tunes from the PM3000/Kenwood combination. And I certainly missed the uber-comfortable, all-leather ClassicAero interior I'd put in the RV-8.

Now I knew in the back of my mind that the RV-6 was just a "Flyer" until I could get the RV-8 rebuilt, but that just didn't matter. If I'm going to be spending this much time in something, it just had to be "right" and "cool". Call it a character flaw, call it an obsession, nonetheless, I've learned to just not fight it... :-)

On the evening of Thursday August 25 2011, I headed out to the hangar after work to see what upgrading some of these components would involve. By the time I went home that night, I'd ripped out most of the instruments and avionics, and over the course of the next week or so, I pretty much removed everything else on the inside. But I didn't stop there. I pulled the cowling off, and decided to reorganize things under there as well.

Exactly two months to the day and a lot of late evenings later and with a lot of help of my good friend Mike Woolson, I test flew a completely revitalized N360EM! The transformation has been quite amazing and it really doesn't even look like the same plane on the inside. All of the new electronic goodies work great and I've got most everything dialed in and calibrated.

The last step in the process was to fly it up to Classic Aero in Albany Oregon to get the carpet and side panels done to match the new all-leather seating also from Classic Aero. Its been there for the good part of three weeks now and I'm hoping to fly it home the weekend after Thanksgiving if the weather permits.

Its been quite a journey revitalizing 'ol N360EM and I can hardly wait to get it back and start flying again! Having something as sweet as "The Flyer" now to fly as a surrogate while I'm rebuilding Ruby Vixen will be pretty cool indeed!

This log details all the various aspects of the RV-6 revitalization in both pictures and dialog. Unlike the RV-8 project where I kind of did my documentation along the way, I didn't want to take the time to do it while this project was underway nor did I really have the energy to do it either. I did take photos along the way, however, and chronologically they made it pretty easy to follow up with the dialog and log entries.

Feel free to email me with any questions or comments you might have regarding the revitalization project.

Matt Dralle
dralle@matronics.com


Recent Activity
 Date Hours Work Log Summary Details
 07-30-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Back From Powder Coaters - Part 02
       
 07-30-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Back From Powder Coaters - Part 01
 Details
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 11
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 10
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 09
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 08
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 07
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 06
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 05
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 04
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 03
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 02
       
 05-27-2013
 1.0
 Tailwheel Assembly Upgrade - Part 01
 Details
       
 05-26-2013
 1.0
 Tail Wheel Upgrade Video
 Details
     
 01-06-2013
 1.0
 New Dynon ADSB Transceiver - Part 06
     
 01-06-2013
 1.0
 New Dynon ADSB Transceiver - Part 05
       
 01-06-2013
 1.0
 New Dynon ADSB Transceiver - Part 04
       
 01-06-2013
 1.0
 New Dynon ADSB Transceiver - Part 03
       
 01-06-2013
 1.0
 New Dynon ADSB Transceiver - Part 02
 Details
       
 01-06-2013
 1.0
 New Dynon ADSB Transceiver - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-11-2012
 1.0
 Final Interior & Panel Upgrade Shots - Part 04
       
 09-11-2012
 1.0
 Final Interior & Panel Upgrade Shots - Part 03
       
 09-11-2012
 1.0
 Final Interior & Panel Upgrade Shots - Part 02
       
 09-11-2012
 1.0
 Final Interior & Panel Upgrade Shots - Part 01
 Details
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 29
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 28
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 27
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 26
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 25
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 24
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 23
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 22
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 21
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 20
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 19
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 18
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 17
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 16
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 15
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 14
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 13
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 12
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 11
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 10
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 09
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 08
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 07
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 06
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 05
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 04
 Details
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 03
 Details
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 02
 Details
       
 11-26-2011
 1.0
 The Flyer Comes Home To Roost - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 Test Flight - Part 09
     
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 Test Flight - Part 08
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 Test Flight - Part 07
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 Test Flight - Part 06
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 Test Flight - Part 05
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 Test Flight - Part 04
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 Test Flight - Part 03
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 Test Flight - Part 02
 Details
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 Test Flight - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 New Weight & Balance Measurement - Part 03
     
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 New Weight & Balance Measurement - Part 02
       
 10-22-2011
 1.0
 New Weight & Balance Measurement - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-21-2011
 1.0
 New Leather Seats Arrive - Part 03
       
 10-21-2011
 1.0
 New Leather Seats Arrive - Part 02
       
 10-21-2011
 1.0
 New Leather Seats Arrive - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-20-2011
 1.0
 New Interior & Panel Assembly Complete - Part 04
     
 10-20-2011
 1.0
 New Interior & Panel Assembly Complete - Part 03
       
 10-20-2011
 1.0
 New Interior & Panel Assembly Complete - Part 02
       
 10-20-2011
 1.0
 New Interior & Panel Assembly Complete - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 First Engine Start - Part 07
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 First Engine Start - Part 06
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 First Engine Start - Part 05
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 First Engine Start - Part 04
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 First Engine Start - Part 03
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 First Engine Start - Part 02
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 First Engine Start - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 Engine Compartment Reassembly - Part 06
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 Engine Compartment Reassembly - Part 05
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 Engine Compartment Reassembly - Part 04
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 Engine Compartment Reassembly - Part 03
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 Engine Compartment Reassembly - Part 02
 Details
       
 10-17-2011
 1.0
 Engine Compartment Reassembly - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-16-2011
 1.0
 Instrument Panel Final Assembly - Part 05
       
 10-16-2011
 1.0
 Instrument Panel Final Assembly - Part 04
       
 10-16-2011
 1.0
 Instrument Panel Final Assembly - Part 03
       
 10-16-2011
 1.0
 Instrument Panel Final Assembly - Part 02
 Details
       
 10-16-2011
 1.0
 Instrument Panel Final Assembly - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-15-2011
 1.0
 Electric Elevator Trim Retrofit - Part 02
       
 10-15-2011
 1.0
 Electric Elevator Trim Retrofit - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-08-2011
 1.0
 Parts Back From Paint & Powder Coating - Part 03
       
 10-08-2011
 1.0
 Parts Back From Paint & Powder Coating - Part 02
       
 10-08-2011
 1.0
 Parts Back From Paint & Powder Coating - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 13
     
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 12
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 11
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 10
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 09
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 08
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 07
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 06
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 05
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 04
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 03
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 02
       
 10-07-2011
 1.0
 Spray Painting The Interior - Part 01
 Details
       
 10-05-2011
 1.0
 Prepping For Interior Painting - Part 05
     
 10-05-2011
 1.0
 Prepping For Interior Painting - Part 04
       
 10-05-2011
 1.0
 Prepping For Interior Painting - Part 03
       
 10-05-2011
 1.0
 Prepping For Interior Painting - Part 02
       
 10-05-2011
 1.0
 Prepping For Interior Painting - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-30-2011
 1.0
 Time For Some Sanding - Part 05
     
 09-30-2011
 1.0
 Time For Some Sanding - Part 04
       
 09-30-2011
 1.0
 Time For Some Sanding - Part 03
       
 09-30-2011
 1.0
 Time For Some Sanding - Part 02
       
 09-30-2011
 1.0
 Time For Some Sanding - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-27-2011
 1.0
 Infinity Stick Grip Installation - Part 02
       
 09-27-2011
 1.0
 Infinity Stick Grip Installation - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-25-2011
 1.0
 Wiring Everything Up - Part 03
       
 09-25-2011
 1.0
 Wiring Everything Up - Part 02
       
 09-25-2011
 1.0
 Wiring Everything Up - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-16-2011
 1.0
 Wiring Up The New Instrument Panel - Part 03
     
 09-16-2011
 1.0
 Wiring Up The New Instrument Panel - Part 02
       
 09-16-2011
 1.0
 Wiring Up The New Instrument Panel - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-13-2011
 1.0
 New Metal Instrument Panel - Part 03
       
 09-13-2011
 1.0
 New Metal Instrument Panel - Part 02
       
 09-13-2011
 1.0
 New Metal Instrument Panel - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-12-2011
 1.0
 Mounting The New Equipment
 Details
       
 09-10-2011
 1.0
 Electric Flap Conversion - Part 07
     
 09-10-2011
 1.0
 Electric Flap Conversion - Part 06
       
 09-10-2011
 1.0
 Electric Flap Conversion - Part 05
       
 09-10-2011
 1.0
 Electric Flap Conversion - Part 04
       
 09-10-2011
 1.0
 Electric Flap Conversion - Part 03
       
 09-10-2011
 1.0
 Electric Flap Conversion - Part 02
       
 09-10-2011
 1.0
 Electric Flap Conversion - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-05-2011
 1.0
 Dynon AHRS & Magnetometer Installation - Part 02
     
 09-05-2011
 1.0
 Dynon AHRS & Magnetometer Installation - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-03-2011
 1.0
 Autopilot Servo Installation - Part 03
       
 09-03-2011
 1.0
 Autopilot Servo Installation - Part 02
       
 09-03-2011
 1.0
 Autopilot Servo Installation - Part 01
 Details
       
 09-02-2011
 1.0
 New Instrument Panel Mockups - Part 02
       
 09-02-2011
 1.0
 New Instrument Panel Mockups - Part 01
 Details
       
 08-30-2011
 1.0
 New Fuel Flow Transducers
 Details
       
 08-29-2011
 1.0
 Interior Deconstruction - Part 06
       
 08-29-2011
 1.0
 Interior Deconstruction - Part 05
       
 08-29-2011
 1.0
 Interior Deconstruction - Part 04
       
 08-29-2011
 1.0
 Interior Deconstruction - Part 03
       
 08-29-2011
 1.0
 Interior Deconstruction - Part 02
       
 08-29-2011
 1.0
 Interior Deconstruction - Part 01
 Details
       
 08-28-2011
 1.0
 Original Firewall Forward - Part 05
       
 08-28-2011
 1.0
 Original Firewall Forward - Part 04
       
 08-28-2011
 1.0
 Original Firewall Forward - Part 03
       
 08-28-2011
 1.0
 Original Firewall Forward - Part 02
       
 08-28-2011
 1.0
 Original Firewall Forward - Part 01
 Details
       
 08-24-2011
 1.0
 The Original Panel & Interior - Part 03
     
 08-24-2011
 1.0
 The Original Panel & Interior - Part 02
       
 08-24-2011
 1.0
 The Original Panel & Interior - Part 01
 Details
       
 08-20-2011
 1.0
 Matt Picks Up His New RV-6 - Part 07
       
 08-20-2011
 1.0
 Matt Picks Up His New RV-6 - Part 06
       
 08-20-2011
 1.0
 Matt Picks Up His New RV-6 - Part 05
       
 08-20-2011
 1.0
 Matt Picks Up His New RV-6 - Part 04
 Details
       
 08-20-2011
 1.0
 Matt Picks Up His New RV-6 - Part 03
       
 08-20-2011
 1.0
 Matt Picks Up His New RV-6 - Part 02
 Details
       
 08-20-2011
 1.0
 Matt Picks Up His New RV-6 - Part 01
 Details
       


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Category # Logs  # Hours


 All 166 166

 Buying 7 7

 Upgrades 159 159









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