On the Level

by Herb Haught

From left to right the floor rises two inches. Photo by Nathaniel Haught

I used a laser this evening to see what it will take to level the fuselage jig prior to beginning work. I discovered our garage floor has a slope of 2-inches from the driveway entrance to the back. I verified the laser with the transit; both agree. I also began my list of parts I need to order from Van's. I'm still occupied with plans review to see where Dad left off. It's a pretty daunting task to see what's complete and what's not. Trips back and forth from plans to jig to video and back to verfiy on the jig. Lots of fun.

I'm considering taking the fuselage frame off the jig so that I can modify it and get it level.

Important Poll: Top Gun

I have often teased Herb about how many times he has watched the movie Top Gun. I think it's something like, well, too many times to count. He never grows tired of the flying scenes. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to see how many visitors here have watched it multiple times. Herb got a kick out of the poll when he saw it and voted promptly.

More Furnishings for the Garage

Last night Herb scurried back and forth between the plans that are spread out on the pool table, the RV-6 instructional video, and the garage. I think he had a ruler in his hand. By the end of the evening he announced that he would be moving our old TV from the bedroom out to the garage. No more scurrying. We never watch that TV anyway, and it takes up some valuable square footage in Herb's armoire, so I'm happy. Now if he moves a recliner or a cot out there, I WILL NOT BE HAPPY. And you know what they say: If Mama ain't happy. . .

Studying to Convert

Tonight Herb studied his plans to see what he'll have to do to convert the plane from a tricycle gear to a taildragger. Some of the rear bulkheads will have to be changed out to accept a tailwheel.

Another Day, Another Table

This one is 8 feet long.


The first one is 5 feet. Two steps closer to being able to actually begin working on the plane.

The EAA Table

Herb and Nathaniel got the plans for the ideal worktable from Van's Air Force website. They are going to build four; today they got one done.

Herb spent a lot of time making sure Nathaniel learned proper technique. He could tell that Nathaniel began to enjoy himself as the project progressed.

Herb's Plane Happy

Originally published on In Haught Pursuit


Herb returned home Saturday night towing a mighty project, an RV-6 kit plane. His dad started it in the early 90s and decided that it was time to pass the torch, so to speak. Herb will have to make one more trip back to Florida to bring back the wings.

We have a 2100 foot grass runway along the west side of our property, so Herb is eager to complete this project and fly. He has already joined a users' group called Van's Air Force. It offers lots of technical support. Additionally, there are good pictures of completed planes on Van's website.

Herb will also join the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Our local chapter meets at a hangar about a mile and a half from us. We only have to make one left turn off our street to get there. We have to drive long distances to do just about everything, so this being so close is simply amazing to me.

From what Herb tells me, a whole social life comes with the plane. The RV airplane owners get together a lot, fly to lunch, make day trips, etc. He's also expecting all of his parents' airplane buddies to fly over to our house and check up on him--I mean visit. I'm dusting off all of my "feed a crowd" recipes in anticipation.

We're hoping that Herb's folks will come stay for a month or two in their motorhome. Herb Sr. and my dad would have so much fun bossing, I mean supervising, Herb and Nathaniel. Herb's dad got a lot of experience working on planes in the Air Force, and he and my mother-in-law got their private pilot's licenses after he retired. They flew a Piper Cherokee for many years. My dad re-built an Aeronca Chief as a young man and learned to fly out of his parent's pasture. Later he bought a Piper Pacer, which he sold when I was little. After I married, Dad bought a Beechcraft Bonanza.

Herb and I started taking flying lessons in the early 80s. I soloed but lost confidence afterward. I stopped flying before finishing the requirements for my license. Herb got his pilot's license and enjoyed flying the Cherokee and the Bonanza.

Now Nathaniel and Emma want to learn to fly. I guess it's in their genes.

Here are the pictures of the uncrating: