The Experimental Aircraft Association Morristown Chapter 1494’s newest project is ready to take flight.

Last weekend’s Chapter 1494 Monthly Breakfast held at the chapter’s new hangar at Morristown Regional Airport attracted many pilots and their families/friends. The new hangar is situated at the east side of the airport, at the approach end of RW 23, located off of Piper Street.

“There were so many planes that they had to park them from one end of the runway in front of the EAA’s new hangar all the way up to the flight school,” said President Karen Hughes-Collins. “This event just keeps getting bigger and better.”

During the breakfast, there was a line of airplanes taxi- ing to leave as more airplanes are landing. The radio chatter was non-stop. It was great to see so many friends, new and old.

RV-12iS Airplane Build Update

The RV-12iS airplane build is almost completed, according to information on the RV-12iS Build, as provided by Vince Miraldi, one of the build team volunteer leaders.

Since the kickoff of the build, the building has stretched more than 118 weeks, he said.

There have been 1,554 builder hours and 2,764 volunteer hours for a total of 4,318 hours spent building this airplane. The engine is mounted; the wings are attached. We have an official N-number from the FAA selected by the chapter, N-1494T. Over a year ago, the chapter reserved 2 N-numbers (N14941 and N-1494M) but the builders really wanted a different one that wasn’t available: N-1494T.

“A few months ago, we checked again on the availability of N-1494T and yes, it was available,” Miraldi continued. “We immediately reserved it and several months later, when it was time to register our nearly completed aircraft with the FAA, we requested and officially were assigned our preferred N-1494T.

The number is comprised of the chapter number, followed by “T” for Tennessee and is now affixed to the aircraft.

Avionics installation is almost complete as well, according to Miraldi.

“The avionics panel includes 2 Garmin G3X touch screen displays, an autopilot, radios and ADS-B in/ out,” he said.

The work on the canopy has been completed and is ready to be installed.

“Canopy work is a series of tasks least favored by many aircraft builders,” Miraldi said. “With this, you need to work with and shape fiberglass and plexiglass, ensuring that everything is fitted perfectly. It takes a great deal of patience.”

The tail cone fairing is being fitted, Miraldi said. We still have the prop and spinner still needs to be fitted and installed, then weight, balance and paperwork to make a real airplane.

After this a Designated Airworthiness Representative will inspect the plane and will issue an airworthiness certificate if it passes inspection.

If it makes it this far, the fun will begin with building team lead/Test Pilot Bob Dougherty flying the initial hours and maneuvers and recording this aircraft’s specific speeds and characteristics. A paint scheme will be designed and agreed upon by the group, then painting will begin.

Adult Build Team volunteers Bob and Nancy Dougherty, Miraldi, Mitch Lock, Ernie Rice, Bill and Christy Mullins, Mark Doherty and Nelson Collins estimate the plane will be completed and ready for the test flights to begin on a Monday in the near future.