First Engine Start

 Pat Hesseltine owner of Avian Aeronautics showed up to help with the first start.  We pre oiled the engine by turning the prop with the bottom spark plugs removed and the oil cooler cables opened.

 Miro and Grandma watching and waiting for the plane to be started.

 Marek playing and getting excited for the plane to be started.

 The project always attracts friends when the doors are opened.

 First fuel.  Thank you Kyle Saboda.

 Cleaning and priming the spark plugs with fuel.

 The ignition wasn't working.  Later found out it was a fuse.  But here Pat bypassed the ignition and instantly lit the engine.

 My legs were shaking holding the brake pedals.  The engine has more power than I've ever felt.

Panel

 Wiring the Advanced Flight Avionics quickpanel system

 

 Turning screens on for the first time and testing out some functionality.

 

 Not bad for an 'experimental' aircraft.  Full IFR, synthetic vision, ADS-B in/out with weather and radar traffic, full autopilot coupled to the GPS.  Avidyne 540 for IFR.

Prop

 Mounting the hub to the propeller

 Mounting the spinner to the hub assembly with Marek.

Instrument Check Ride

 After about a year and a half of education and training on the weekends and evenings, I completed my instrument training and earned my instrument rating.  This allows me to take complete advantage of the new avionics in the RV-10.  Here I am with my instructor Doug Hanson after passing my checkride.

 An action shot of me training under the hood.

A short video flying through the clouds.

Engine Install

 

 The alternator arm was too short.  Vans shipped a longer one.  Also, the alternator was bent.  Vans sent a new one right away.

 The prop governor has a pretty short arm.  I think it is too short, but will have to wait for engine run up to confirm.

 The instructions call for some extension tabs here, but they aren't needed.

 First day in the sun.  

 Marek and Miro helped do a little wiring of the starter and master wires.

 Miro is very proud of the plane.  He wonders why we never fly it.

The main power wire from the battery to the starter needs to be 2 AWG.  We used 8 AWG and the starter barely turned over.