Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 35: Landing Gear & Engine Mount (part 5)

Reference: Pages 35-02, 35-04, 35-05; 3.0 hours

I was finally able to get the grease I needed for the RV-12 airplane's main wheel bearings. Matco recommends Aeroshell 22 (not Aeroshell 5) for the bearings. So today seemed like a good time to finish up the main landing gear.

Reference: page 35-02

Step 9: Fully grease wheel bearings before installing. i worked the grease down into the bear by hand.



This completes page 35-02.

Reference: page 35-04

Step 1: Slide the main gear wheel assembly and washer onto the axle and secure with the axle nut as shown in Figure 3. The axle nut should be tightened to the point that there is no play in the assembly and the rubber seal on the bearing doesn't spin with the wheel. See the instructions included with the wheel and brake package for further details on axle nut torque.

Builder's note: Because of the seal the preload is different than regular aircraft wheel bearings! Read the instructions.



Step 2: , Installed the Stationary Brake Shoe behind the Brake Disk, then bolt the Stationary Brake Shoe and Cylinder Assembly together. Torqued to Matco recommendations.



This completes page 35-04.

Reference: page 35-04

Step 3: Installed the landing gear covers that fit under the gear legs on the RV-12 airplane.



I am leaving the Fuselage inspection plates off (Step 4) until paint and final inspection. So, this completes today's work session. Also the front gear won't be installed until right before the firewall forward kit is installed (my garage is too short to make the plane yes to work around.) I am going up to Van's Aircraft to pick up the new RV12 Fuel Vent Modifications kit, so iy can be installed before closing up the fuel tank.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 35: Landing Gear & Engine Mount (part 3)

Reference: Page 35-04, 35-05, 35-06; 6.5 hours

Snowday or airplane workday!!! Today we got hit with the start of the worse snowstorm we have seen in 15 to 20 years. Keep in mind this is nothing like the mid-west but people aren't prepared for this kind of weather in Oregon ( you don't shovel rain)!



So, I worked on a few miscellaneous projects around the RV-12 airplane project. First was to repair some paint ships on the instrument panel. This required removing some of the aluminum from the edge of the panel and repainting.



Next was finishing the inside of the front canopy edge. Recall i put a thin layer of epoxy over it to protect it from any solvents in the paints I will spray it with. It was then coated with UV Smoothprime and sanded



Reference: 35-04

Step 3: Made the brake lines out of 1/4" aluminum tubing supplied by Vans Aircraft. Added fluid nuts and flaired ends as directed.



Step 4: Attached the Main (Plastic) Brake lines to the fittings on the Inboard Main Gear Attach Brackets, using pipe thread sealant.



Step 5: Routed the brake lines down the gear legs and attached these to the brake calipers as direct in the RV-12 airplane plans.



Builder's note: Routing the brake lines is usually done after the main wheel are installed , but I couldn't make it out of the driveway and down to the airport to get the needed grease.



This completes page 35-04.

Reference: page 35-05

Step 1: Secure the Main Brake Line to the center section of the RV-12 airplane fuselage and each other using wire ties.





Step 2: Install the provided clear tubing two onto both the leaft and right main brake lines.

Builder's note: These will be secured with wire ties after the gear is painted.



Builder's note: I am holding off on steps 3 & 4 (adding the Cover plates that fit under the landing gear and installing the inspection covers until I fit the main wheel on the R-12 aircraft.

Step 5; Separated the Anti-Rotation Plates for the front wheel fork.



This completes page 35-05 for now.

Reference: page 35-06

Step 1: I'm holding off on installing the nose gear as it will just be in the way for now. Right before installing the Rotax engine on the RV-12 I will install it.

Step 2: Countersunk the four outboard holes on the nose fork that will hold the Anti Rotatiion plates. Riveted the plates in place.




The remaining steps on page 35-06 of the RV-12 airplane plans, deal with the front nose gear and fork. I will complete these later.