RV-15

RV-15 FAQs

Q: I want to build with conventional rivets instead of pull rivets. Is that possible?

A: While the RV-15 has been designed from the start to use pull rivets — all structural design criteria are based on their use — we’ve made accommodations to substitute conventional driven rivets for much of the structure. For example, the leading-edge D-section of the wing has access panels that would permit bucking of conventional rivets, and even the direction of the nose-rib flanges have been chosen to make this possible.

Before making the decision to conventionally rivet the wing, though, RV-15 builders should bear these factors in mind.

• There is a row of rivets along the main spar forward of the fuel tank that will be very difficult to set, since access to the inside of the wing at this point is quite restricted.
• While the flap is large enough to accommodate bucking many driven rivets, it has a folded trailing edge, so there will be portions that are very difficult if not impossible to buck. Roughly a quarter of the rivets in the flap will be a serious challenge.
• This is also true of the ailerons, though it’s estimated that about half of those rivets will be very difficult or impossible to buck.
• Flush vs. dome-head rivets: It would certainly be possible to entirely flush-rivet the RV-15 wing, but the design data suggests there will be very, very little performance advantage. A better bet might be to flush-rivet the leading edges, where most of the still barely measurable advantage would be found.
• All rivets will be 1/8-inch diameter, since that is how the wing comes pre-punched. Experienced builders know that the smaller, 3/32-inch rivets used in places on traditional RV kits are easier to work with and more forgiving.
• You’ll be diverging from the plans. Van’s will provide kit instructions based on the pull rivet design we’ve prototyped, so deviation from the plans will leave the builder to his or her own devices, and add to build time.

The bottom line is that the RV-15 was designed for and tested with the blind rivets that will come with the wing kit. Builders who wish to plot their own course are welcome to do so, but the functional benefits are unlikely to equal the extra time needed.

Q: Will you build a nosewheel version?

A: Yes, that’s been part of the plan all along.

Q: And floats?

A: Same answer! We think the RV-15 is going to make an epically good floatplane.

Q: Is the RV-15 MOSAIC compliant?

A: It definitely is. Not only does it meet the core requirements of a MOSAIC airplane, it has a low enough stall speed so that it can be flown by Sport Pilots under the newly expanded rules. All design and testing of the RV-15 has been committed with MOSAIC in mind.