Flyin' Bryan's RV-8 Adventure

This site was created to provide friends and family with a vehicle to track my efforts to build a Van's RV 8 Aircraft kit. The dream began in the Summer of 2008. The actual building began in 2009, with the arrival of the empennage or tail kit. I will periodically update the site with photos and comments about my progress.

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Setting the Final LE rivets, Cont'd.

›

One of the other things I failed to mention in previous posts is how important good lighting is when riveting these enclosed structures toge...

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Setting the Final Rivets of the Left Wing Leading Edge

›

With the vast majority of the leading edge rivets set while in the cradle in the upright position, I could note get the rivet gun in the cor...

Monday, April 15, 2019

Slamming LE rivets, Cont'd.

›

Pounded a crap load of rivets on the LE over the past two days. Felt good after getting the hang of it again, but I get real sore from all t...

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Final Assembly of the Left Wing LE Begins

›

After evaluating the nutplate situation a bit more I decided that the nut plate is fine for now. I can still replace it later if I want to. ...

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Prep for Final Assembly and Riveting of the LEFt wing LE

›

As mentioned previously, the next step was to remove the vinyl inside the LE skin that I have left on all this time to protect the metal. I ...

Thursday, March 28, 2019

More Nutplate Hell and Creative Clamping

›

After several days I was finally able to finish riveting all 20 nutplates to the subskin. Man did that turn into a royal pain in the ass. As...

‹

›

Home

View web version

About Me

Bryan Raley: So who am I? Born in Dallas, TX, but consider myself a Colorado native, having lived in this beautiful state for all but two years of my life. I built my first plastic airplane model at the age of 7, and I was hooked on airplanes for life. I attended the University of North Dakota and obtained an Aviation Administration degree, earning my flight instructor certificate along the way. I became a search and rescue pilot and crew member for the Civil Air Patrol shortly after graduating from college - going on 26 years of service now. There is no greater satisfaction that using your aviation talents to help your community and the nation. I bcame a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association in 2008 and made my first visit to Airventure in Oshkosh, WI, home of the largest gathering of airplanes and aviation enthusiasts in the world for one week in July 2009. Of course you already know I am building an RV-8 airplane! Other than that, I enjoy living life, spending time with my wonderful wife and 2 great kids, and just enjoying all that life has to offer.

View my complete profile