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Asel Alibekova

Building an experimental aircraft

Mechanical/Aerospace · 2025-2027

Overview

As a part of Teen Aviation of New Jersey, I am building an RV-12is, an experimental two seater aircraft produced by Van's Aircraft, under supervision of aerospace experts which include retired Lockheed Martin engineers, Boeing employees and certified FAA mechanics. Throughout the process, I mastered riveting techniques with different types of rivets, worked with sheet metal, fiberglass and more while solving engineering problems, and completing a sheet metal basics course. I learned FAA regulations and aeronautical industry standards.

Building an experimental aircraft

Gallery · 11 items

  • 01

    Inside of the plane

    This is the view from the inside of the RV-12is without avionics.

  • 02

    Plans

    An example of how the plans, which we follow, look like.

  • 03

    Horizontal stabilator tips

    To fit the horizontal stabilator tips, I needed to file it with a dremel to a correct size.

  • 04

    Instructions

    Working on Avionics, we were deciphering the instructions for the installation of the wing pin switches.

  • 05

    Canopy

    Temp-installed the canopy to check if the fit was good.

  • 06

    Adjusting the canopy

    We were marking the plexiglass to drill the screw holes to mount the canopy

  • 07

    Working on Canopy

    File, sanding and deburring the metal cover

  • 08

    Match-drilling the canopy

    To correctly install the canopy, we match-drilled the holes in the canopy to the outer shell of the plane.

  • 09

    Basics of Sheet Metal

    The completed Basics of Sheet Metal kit from Van's Aircraft

  • 10

    Working on basics of sheet metal

    Before touching the airplane, all of the students were trained on all the techniques and necessary skills required to work with sheet metal.

  • 11

    Riveting