The Murphy Builders Site

Today, our DAR, Frank Baldwin came up and issued the Airworthiness Certificate to N25SR. Wow, almost 3900 hours and seven years. Still, I have two leaking rivets to deal with in the right wing fuel tank, figure out those constantly warping split rings on the seat rails, and wait for a new rpm sensor to replace the one not working. With Christmas and a full week of really cold weather coming up (thanks Canadians), it will likely be early January when it takes to the air for the first time.
Best,
Jerry Folkerts

CONGRATULATIONS Jerry!!!! What a milestone!

Rivets leaking out the stem hole or perimeter? Stem hole, I've fixed many by simply using a small spherical ball in the dremel to cut a ring into the ID of the rivet head and fill with PRC. Or just drill them out, coat a new rivet in PRC, insert and pull. Yes you'll have the shop ends inside the tank, but depending where they are you can get them with a flexible magnetic wand thanks to the steel in the mandrel head.

Congratulations Jerry. Your Airworthiness Certificate is a great accomplishment. I have enjoyed watching your progress for years. I look forward to that day myself for my project.

Congrats Jerry.

Congratulations Jerry! Big milestone, well done.

It's 3C (38F) and raining in my part of Canada, I could see about FedEx-ing some of that to you in place of the cold........ Actually, I'm looking forward to trying to get some air time Friday when it's finally supposed to be clear (& -7C)

Look at it this way, after 3900 hours, a few more days will give you a chance to think if there are of any other small details you need to consider for your first flight.

Please keep us up to date on your progress.

Cheers,

Dave
Elite 583

Great job, Jerry! Many on this site know what you’re feeling right now and it is sweet! I think you were just starting to build when Deb and I met you at the Murphy party at Osh. Wow, time goes by so fast. Craig

Wayne,
Coming from the center of the rivets. One is a tank rivet on the lower root access panel, the other a countersunk rivet in the lower root corner by the spar. I may try and fix without drilling the rivets out at first. It may buy me some time until the weather is warmer.
Best,
Jerry Folkerts

Jerry
The finish line already eh Jerry?
You’re going to LOVE that plane!
Hope all goes well flying off phase 1. Did you get 25 or 40 hrs for your phase 1 time?
Paul in really foggy No. Florida

Good one Jerry,
818 had a couple of leaky rivets initially, both were tank rivets leaking in the centre so they must have split when being installed. One was near the filler neck and was fixed with a dob of proseal inside the tank accessed through the filler. The other was treated like Wayne does and using the mixing cartridge like a syringe, placing the nozzle over the rivet head and forcing proseal into the rivet. Both repairs are fine after 3 years.
Your machine looks great. Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
Cheers
Mike

Paul,
40 hours. Although the engine is certified, 0 SMOH, most of the accessories are experimental.
Jerry

Well, the cards are lining up for a Tuesday afternoon first flight. 40-45 degrees, wind 8 mph straight down the runway. Stay tuned!
Jerry

Due to poor weather and a faulty rpm indication, we've delayed the first flight. The good news is we figure out the rpm problem and I'll fix tomorrow and do a quick test run. No good weather in the near future. Stay tuned.

I am keeping fingers Jerry.
We have bad weather here as well, but different sort of. Nearly no winter, unusually warm 5-9 Celsius during day, rainy, low clouds and fog, low visibility, permanent IMC. Maybe two days ready for flying since end of November 2017
Have a nice day

Congrac Jerry! Nice looking bird, you have!

Btw. do you have exact color numbers?
I am, step by step, preparing all necessary information for future.
My color livery will be exactly the same.