RV-10 Options not included and other key items

RV-10 Options (not included) and other key items to buy
updated 8/21/08

This is an incomplete list of items not included in the purchase of the RV-10 kit from Van's, both optional items, and misc. supplies that a builder would need. Trust me when I say....after buying your airframe kits, engine, and avionics, there is not one single builder who won't spend multiple THOUSANDS of dollars on other required items as well, including seat belts, and many many more things that you will absolutely need. Take these into account when building, to prepare any wiring and hose routing, and also budget for them. Any supplier links would be great if you have them. Sorry there isn't a list of individual thank-you's for the contributors. These tips aren't all mine, they came from the good people of the RV10 Matronics List If you copy this page to your PC, you may wish to save the actual HTML file, otherwise the website addresses won't show up if you use text format.

Part / Supply	Vendors	Used For...	Notes
Lighting systems	Duckworks - HIDS Whelen CreativeAir GS Air Strobes StrobesNmore Aerovisions - HIDS Perihelion Design Sartek - HID Bulbs Kill-a-Cycle Airplane Gear Aeroflash	Nav Lights, Landing/Taxi Lights, Panel Lights, Strobes, Wig-Wags.	No lighting is included. I went with Duckworks HIDS for landing lights. Also look into EL luminescent strips for cockpit lighting. I may not do these due to the small potential for electronic noise, but LED Lighting should be perfect for cockpit lighting. By going with HID Landing Lights, and LED Nav lights, many amps of draw could be saved during night flying...increasing your range should you have an alternator fail. For EL Wiring: http://www.e-lite.com , http://www.elwirecheap.com , http://www.luxurylighting.net
ELT	Ameri-King ACK		One Possibility: Ameri-King AK-450 ELT
Altitude Encoder	ACK		I'm getting the ACK A30.8
Seat Belts	VANS Hooker Harness Crow Enterprises Alpha Aviation		Seat Belts are not included. Pick your color.
Battery	B&C Odessy Or other Misc. Suppliers		You probably want to make sure to get an RG battery. I've use the Concorde RG35AXC in the past and it is a great battery. I think an Odessy sounds great for me in my -10.
Epoxy and Hardner	http://www.westsystem.com	Wingtips, Canopy, Doors ... all fiberglass parts	Quantity (2) of 105-A (1qt resin) and (2) 205-A (fast hardner), (1) 300 Mini Pump Set A, (1) 403 Microfibers, (1) 406 Colloidal Silica, (1) 410 Microlight. My total was ~ $125. Use 406 for Thickening (white) Use 410 Brown Power Mix like Bondo for Filler Get the books from WestSystem, and the stuff from dealers. Use 206A (slow hardner) when doing the doors. Fast is <15 minute pot life, slow is close to 30min. ** Note: I used 80-85% of one can of 105A+206A for doing just the doors. See my write up on doors for more info.
Cab-O-Sil Structural Filler	Aircraft Spruce http://www.westsystem.com	Door Bonding / Cabin top Also called "Milled Fiber"	Cab-o-Sil is a colloidal Silical epoxy structural filler and thickner. You need to use some when bonding the doors. I don't know much about this brand, but if you use the WestSystem stuff (see above), you will substitue the 406 Colloidal Silica for this. That West System stuff is awesome!
Structural Filler		For the Cabin Top.	Plans call for Milled Fiber. See "Cab-o-Sil", and West System Expoy (Above)
SmoothPrime	Aircraft Spruce	All Fiberglass Parts - Not required, but recommended.	UVSmoothPrime is a PolyFiber product used in finishing thes mooth surfaces of your fiberglass parts. It's a pinhole filler that gets rolled or sprayed on, and you then sand the area smooth. It rolls on like very thick house paint, and dries very hard in a short time. Don't use it too thick, but using it should help get your parts very smooth in areas that require only light filling.
Hoses	AircraftHose.com VANS	Engine Area
Polyester Resin		Used on Wingtips	Per Bob C., you can use Epoxy for everything if you wish. Can use epoxy on polyester parts but not the other way around.
Fiberglass Cloth	Aircraft Spruce Local Suppliers	Finishing tips from tailcone kit and wingtips
E-Glass Cloth	Aircraft Spruce	Windshield Fairing	E-Glass is needed for doing the Windshield fairing and is not included with the finishing kit. It is used with Epoxy, NOT Polyester Resin, to finish the front of the windshield. *Tip: Some builders tint their epoxy with charcoal powder, or black toner, to make it black. 7-9 oz. cloth. Per Scott Schmidt: http://scottandranae.smugmug.com/gallery/518426/2/22210526/Large p/n: 01-06705 (About $30) 4" width
Window Sealant/glue	VANS	For attaching Windows	5 total kits (1 for each window) of 4 oz bottles of Weld-On 10 required to install windows. About $12 each. Order to arrive with the finishing kit.
Headliner Material	Your local Auto interior shop. or Perfect Fit - Portland, OR or Your aircraft fabric supplier	To line the ceiling of fiberglass top	Size Required: (Per Randy #006) 80" x what ever the width comes in ( about 63") See: This Link Here's a link to my info on headliner ** Note: The best headliners to date are the 2 Colorado -10's...wish I'd have done that. Don't buy 1/4" material, use 1/8" if you're using foam.
Glareshield Material	Flightline Interiors	Covering the dash panel	You need a little less than a yard of 56" width fabric to cover your glareshield. Abby from Flightline has leathers or what I used was Texsuede 1000 that works excellent for cutting any glare and reflection on your windshield.
Proseal	VANS	Tanks and Elevator, V-Stab, and Aileron and Flap Trailing Edges
Pitot Mount / Pitot Tube	Gretz Aero Aircraft Spruce	If you want a nice heated pitot.	At Aircraft Spruce, Search for "Homebuilders Pitot", also AN5812. I installed the Gretz mount and bought the Gretz GA-1000 Pitot. The mount was great to install. I moved it out 2 or 3 bays, just inside the first bay from the wingtip, in bay #2 from the outside. Much nicer location than standard. (See my write-up)
Pitot Static Tubing		Pitot System	Plastic 1/4" tubing, and "T"-fittings. Need a "T" for joining static ports.
Static Ports	Cleaveland Tool SafeAir.com Evans Aviation	Nicer looking Static Ports	Van's static ports uses pop-rivets. For nicer looking ports, buy from Cleaveland. Cheap and Easy.
MK-319-BS Rivets	VANS	Wherever you can't get good access for an AN426-3 rivet.	You'll want a good 50 or 100 of these. An assortment I bought for fixing screwups is a couple of each of these: CR3212-4-2, AK-42H, CR3212-4-3, AACQ-4-3. This gives kind of an assortment of countersunk pop rivets to fit various sized holes that you may oversize by accident.
OOOPS! Rivets	VANS	For when you mess up an AN426AD3	Buy maybe $3-4 worth of each: NAS1097AD4-3.5, NAS1097AD4-4, NAS1097AD4-5, NAS1097AD4-6 Get them before you start your project!
Extra AN3 & AN4 Hardware	VANS	Pre-Assembly	Spend a few extra bucks and look ahead in the plans where you'll do attachments, such as ailerons, flaps and more. Buy some extra hardware for your pre-assembly so your locknuts and bolts are still in top shape for final assembly.
Wire	http://www.wiremasters.net http://www.steinair.com B&C	Wire for all over the place. Autopilots, lighting, and more.	At Wiremasters, ask for Deb Sullivan. Their prices are by far the best for your original bulk purchase of wire.
Electrical Connectors	http://www.steinair.com h ttp://www.mouser.com http://www.digikey.com B&C onlinecomponents.com		Used in doing autopilot servos, Wing root wing wiring disconnects (use AMP CPC Circular there), and many more places. SteinAir is a good place for tools for these connectors, as well as B&C.
Baggage Door Lock	VANS Aircraft Spruce	Baggage Door	The Baggage Door Lock is not included in the kit. Van's P/N: ES-A-510-2K It's sold along with the mag switch as a unit. You can probably get it without a mag switch from Aircraft Spruce. Industrial/Auto supply places also sell these things, per another RV-10 List member.
Fabric / Vinyl and Interiors	Flightline Interiors Cleaveland Tool ClassicAero	Side Walls / Doors / Seats	No material is included for side walls, headliner, or doors. The fiberglass top and doors require a lot of filling to make them smooth if you just paint them. A covering would be easier, and maybe less noisy. Flightline interiors offers an entire Seat, interior, and headliner package that is the most complete available. Also available is embroidery on the seats and the "Experimental" sign above the door or on the back panels.
Seat Coverings	Flightline Interiors Cleaveland Tool	Seats	Front Seat Covers required. Rear Seat foam and covers not included. Some are considering Heated Seats. Flightline interiors offers an entire Seat, interior, and headliner package that is the most complete available. Also available is embroidery on the seats and the "Experimental" sign above the door or on the back panels.
Aileron Pushrod Bellows	Flightline Interiors	Seals the aileron pushrod fuselage hole	Some people like to put a pushrod bellows on their control pushrods to keep the cold air out. Abby from Flightline has these for the RV-10.
Structural Filler	See "Cab-o-Sil", and West System Expoy	For the Cabin Top.	Plans call for Milled Fiber.
Fuel Pump / Fuel Scan	VANS		Originally thought to be in FWF kit depending on engine. New information says they're not.
Snap Bushings / Grommets / Conduit	VANS http://www.steinair.com		Some ar provided. Probably good to order a couple dozen extras of various sizes for certain parts. SteinAir also has many, and cheap from what I hear. Conduit from Van's is great. Steinair has great nylon wire wrap.
Master / Starter Relays	VANS		Originally thought to be in FWF Kit. New information says they're not.
Fuel Tank Sender	VANS	Left and Right Tanks	Senders are not included. Use parts: IEF-385B (Left) and IEF-385C (Right). Best to label them left and right as soon as you get them. You do NOT want to install them in the wrong wing. Capacitive not available at time of writing.
Antennas	Archer Comant SteinAir Aircraft Spruce		Nav / LOC / Com / GPS / DME / Marker Beacon..... Hey, how 'bout my ADF? :) Great write-up here: http://www.rvproject.com/archer.html on the Bob Archer antenna. Another good info spot here: Archer (Wheeler Express page)
Weather Strip		Baggage Door	1/4" x 1/8" weather strip
"Eyeball" Vents	VANS Aircraft Spruce	Front Seat Vents	The eyeball vents are not included. You do get the NACA air inlets, but not the actual vents, so if you want to be able to shut off the air, buy youself some. Available in Aluminum or plastic. Aluminum is about 8X the price.
Tie-Down Eyelits	VANS		I think it's 3/8" threaded. Will need 3.
Rudder Cable Fairings	VANS Avery Tools - Maybe Build-them-yourself	Nice looking way to cover your rudder cable exits.	See: http://freedomflyers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62 See: http://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/journal/fuse8.html See: http://www.rvproject.com/20030209.html I got mine from Aircraft Spruce. 2 for inside the cabin, 2 for outside. May need 2 more when doing the elevator trim cable exits.
Autopilot Servos	TruTrak Flight Systems		TruTrak Servos best purchased from reseller, NOT direct. Cheaper that way. Try http://www.steinair.com, http://www.rvtraining.com, http://www.vansaircraft.com or others. Elevator servo in tail not needed until fuselage comes. Roll servo in Left Wing would best be installed before doing wing bottom skins. I can link to other brands, but TruTrak is what I chose.
Flap Positioner System (Switch)	VANS Aircraft Extras		From Niko: The optional Flap positioner switch (ON)-OFF-(ON). Vans grip mounted switch is ON-OFF-(ON). So if one wants gets the optional Flap Positioner system they would need a different grip switch than the one Vans sells.
Aileron Trim Kit	VANS AeroTrim	For Trimming plane for Heavy Wing	The RV-10 is not standard with Aileron or Rudder Trim. There are a couple types availabe, and Jesse Saint has the AeroTrim. Van's sells the Aileron trim for approx. $275.
Rudder Trim	DIY Trim Aero Trim	Trims out rudder at various airspeeds	A highly recommended option is adding Rudder Trim for your RV-10 if you're intending lots of X/C flights.
Trim Relays	Matronics Governor Aircraft Extras Ray Allen DIY	For controling multiple sticks for trim	If you want to have both sticks control trim, or more than one trim switch, you'll want a relay system. Lots of options available here, including solid-state do-it-yourself for those who are up to it.
Stick Grips	Infinity Ray Allen CH Products	For stick controls (aileron/elevator trim, AP disconnect, CWS, flaps, lights, radio flip-flop, screen select, ... )	Stick control grips aren't included in the kit. If you want any stick mounted electrical controls, you will need something special. Most builders will want this. Prices range from about $90-170 each.
Sound Proofing	Aircraft Spruce	Floors / Walls	Aircraft Spruce P/N 42720. You can use 1/4" in some places, and thicker in others. See: http://freedomflyers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53 Use "Sticky Stuff" to glue it on.
Alodine Powder	Eldorado Chemical Crest Industrial Chem.	Alodining Parts	Builder Choice, but I love alodined parts. Dorado Kote 1 (DK-1) 5lb pail approx $87.52. Also Available from: Crest Industrial Chemicals, Inc. 713-780-1828
Extended Range Fuel Tanks	Build-them-yourself SafeAir.com		Some builders want even more range out of their -10's.
Fuel Tank Test Kit	VANS	Testing your Tanks	There are other ways to do this, but the kit from Van's is cheap and would be easy. DON'T test your tanks for at least a few days after completing them...you'll blow holes in the proseal that hasn't cured!
Fuel Selector	Andair - UK		Included in kit, but some prefer different design. See my site for more information on what some consider a great improvement to the fuel system.
Throttle Quadrant	VANS		Van's finally came out with THIS Throttle Control. CT 10-3 QUADRANT KIT - $475 at time of writing.
Fire Extinguisher			Probably want to consider grabbing a HALON one if possible.
Engine	Engine Suppliers		Too Many To List
Prop	VANS http://www.lessdrag.com		Hartzell: C2YR-1BF/F8068D (Blended Airfoil) MT: MTV-12-B/193-53
Ignition System	E-Mag Lightspeed Lasar		E-Mag (better would be P-Mag) was not avail. in 6-cyl at time of writing.
Keyswitch / Baggage Locks	Aircraft Spruce	Baggage Door Locks or ignition switch	ACS DOOR AND BAGGAGE LOCK SETS P/N 11-01600 $26.60 http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/igswitches.php
Door Locks	Coss Aviation Henkjan's Locks		See this link for Coss Aviation See this link for Henkjan van der Zouw's Locks Some people have also used the standard baggage door locks as above and used them to jam the main mechanism on the door and function as a lock.
Tools	Avery Tools Cleaveland Tool The Yard Store		I've heard Cleaveland and Avery are the nicest tool places. Others may be good too. I found the Yard Store by far the best pricing on things like spare countersink bits, rivet sets of various sizes, dimple dies, and things like that. BUY EXTRA CLECOS!
Primer	Aircraft Spruce	Builder Preference on internal surfaces	I won't even try to list them all, but I used Akzo from Aircraft spruce and found it nice, economical, and tough.
Extras	Aircraft Extras		See Also: Matronics Yeller Pages
Other Tools	Harbor Freight Various Suppliers	For General Construction	Air Compressor (I love my VT6271 from Campbell-Hausfeld...BUY DIRECT), Bench Grinder, Drill Press, Bandsaw, Palm Sander (for scuffing skins with scotchbrite), Die Grinder (with Cutoff Wheels), Belt Sander, Dremel Tool, Sanding Drums for Drill, Drill Press, and Dremel Tool. Extra Scotchbrite 1" and 2" wheels for Die Grinder (Avery)
Fuel/Oil Hoses / AN Fittings	Summit Racing and many others	Any AN fittings and oil/fuel lines	One of the areas that has really improved over the original design is in the fuel selector and fuel line area. The per-plans fuel lines are rigid, hard to run, and much harder to route and fit. As it turns out, High Performance auto and racing supply shops LOVE Aeroquip and other AN fittings, that are of the same 37^o style as what we use...and they have a better selection at better prices in most cases.
CO Monitor	CO Guardian		You definitely want some sort of Carbon Monoxide Monitor in your cabin. Check this link for install info.
U-1004B Axle Extension Replacements	Various Suppliers	Prevents damage to wheel fairings	Check this link for more info.
Overhead Concole	Accuracy Avionics	For ventilation, lighting, and more	One of the things I'd do if I were building again would be to install an overhead console that has a tunnel all the way back to the tailcone. This gives the possibility of overhead ventilation and lighting, and would make a great place to mount overhead accessories.
Rudder Trim	Varous Methods	To provide a means of trimming the yaw out of the completed airplane.	When you complete your RV-10, you will most likely not have a plane that is trimmed in yaw. When you fly on long x/c trips, if you want the plane to fly level, you will want the plane in trim. Holding your foot on the pedal is an option, but gets tiring after a while. There are various methods of rudder trim, including fixed tabs and blocks, which will take out a lot of the out-of-trim condition but not allow fine tuning, or, methods of adjustable trim, including spring bias systems and electric adjustable tabs. See HERE for more info.
Air Conditioning	Flightline AC Airflow Systems ArcticAir Portable AC	Keeping cool if you live in hot areas	While for most builders, the fast climb rate of the RV-10 will be sufficient to get them away from the low altitude heat, some will long for an a/c system for their plane. For the occasional need, I think Arctic Air is an awesome choice.
APRS and GPS Trackers	APRS: Byonics.com GPS/Satellite: Findmespot.com IFR: Flightaware.com	To allow others to keep track of your flight's progress	Many users are installing or buying trackers for their families to follow them on flights. Flightaware isn't constant and consistent, but tracks you under radar coverage during IFR flight. APRS requires an easy-to-obtain HAM radio licence, but gives awesome tracking for no subscription fee. Spot messenger gives 10min updates with wide coverage areas via satellite, but requires an approx. $150/yr service charge, and has no external antenna. Check this link for more info.
Cameras	Various methods	To provide in-flight video recordings of flights	Some people choose to install things like vertical stabilizer fairing mounted video cameras to tape their flights. Plan ahead if you want to do something like this, or running wires will be complicated later.
TV's and Entertainment	Various methods	To provide entertainment for your passengers	Many builders are installing things like small LCD displays and systems for watching movies, both portable and fixed. I find that the Creative Zen Vision 60GB system is a great starting point for storing movies (if you plan to watch them only while under 10,000') and feed this into a portable video splitter that feeds two portable seatback screens. There are many methods of doing this, but plan ahead if you do any built-in systems.
Oxygen Systems	Various suppliers	The RV-10 cruises well between 10k and 15k feet, but you need Oxygen	There are too many systems to mention, but notables are Mountain High's built-in electronic system for those who need O2 most of their flights, to small portables for only occasional use. I use the PreciseFlight portable but use their more comfortable cannulas that come with their demand conservers that are non-electrical. Do your research, but plan ahead if you want a built-in system. More info HERE.
CO Monitors	CO Guardian and others	To provide CO safety	You definitely want some sort of CO monitoring and alerting. Some systems even interface with your other systems!
Axle Extensions	Various suppliers	Because doing it per-plans may come with a safety penalty	The standard Van's axle extensions that hold the wheel fairings outboard side are a commonly broken piece of equipmetn. The design stinks, plain and simple. Especially if you fly off grass at all, invest in a pair of extensions before you either wreck your fairings, or even your wings. More info HERE.
Sun Visors	Rosen Visors BlueSky from ATP	There's a lot of window in the RV-10, and you'll want some shade	There are 2 primary visor options....Rosen and BlueSky. The Rosens are about twice the price, weigh more, and take a little larger and more numerous mounting holes. The Blue Sky are lighter, more easily moved, take only a very small single mounting hole, and are much cheaper. But, explore them both. HERE is more info.
Overhead Console	Various methods	Helps a lot with overhead vents and lighting options, and wires	One thing I'd do, if I were doing it all over again, is add an overhead console. Some people roll their own, and some buy an aftermarket one, but definitely if you want overhead ventilation, lighting, or entertainment wiring, look into them before you mount your cabin top...as you'll want to do this job while the cabin top is upside down. More obsolete info HERE.
Oil Quick-Drain	Various methods	To provide easier oil changes	Most will install an oil quick drain. Nope, they don't usually come with your engine. More info HERE on one option.
Parking Brake	Various methods	If you often park on slopes	Many builders could care less, but if you frequent areas where you park on slopes, you may want one. HERE is some info on an install of one.

Here's a site that was sent to me that shows a guy's total expense list: http://www.mstewart.net/michael/rv/