Dec 30, 2022     Completed the cabin cover installation - (30 hours)       Category: Fuselage

It turns out that doing lots of cutting and sanding of fiberglass is not really fun. I already knew that, but it's good to have a reminder. But I did get the cabin cover trimmed and installed. I found using a 200ml syringe was perfect for injecting a peanut butter thick flox mixture into the joint of the cabin cover to fuselage. Now that I have the cabin firmly mounted, I'm moving on to installing the landing gear and then engine, which will give me the opportunity to roll the airplane out of the garage and do some major clean up. Hey, it is actually starting to look like an airplane.

I have the ShowPlanes composite tailcone cover, so it does make a change for the tail bulkheads and interface to the cabin cover. It appears to really smooth up the roof line, but also allows installing all GPS and ELT antennas internal to the airplane.

  Dec 19, 2022     Completed aircraft interior panels - (12.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Completed access interior panels and lighting through. I'm getting ready to start on installing the cabin cover.

  Nov 27, 2022     Fuselage, Baggage area, door and floorboards - (58.9 hours)       Category: Fuselage

This is essentially a catch up entry for my ongoing work. I'm about ready to start installing the cabin cover.

I did customize my baggage door to install a magnetic reed switch to provide a "door open" alert on the G3X, along with the two main cabin doors.

Doing the forward rivets on the front floorboards was a physical challenge for this large human being, but I got through it.

  Apr 18, 2022     Completed Upper Cowl installation S41 - (11.4 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Finished the heater boxes and push pull controls. Finished installation of the parking brake with the push-pull cable installed. I purchased all three cables from McFarlane Aviation; they are very high quality and recommended.

I finished riveting the upper cowl into place and secured the brake reservoir into place. Once I install the landing gear and brakes, I'll flush and fill the brake system.

The engine photos are just for fun...love that engine.

  Nov 27, 2021     Brake lines, Section 36 - (7 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Formed and installed brake lines with fittings completing this section. I also created a mount and installed Matco's PVPV-D parking brake, along with installing Matco's MCR-100 reservoir. I liked this one because it's clear and much easier to check the brake fluid level; can actually check it through the oil door during pre-flight.

  Oct 18, 2021     Steps installation - (1.6 hours)       Category: Fuselage

I purchased TCW's step bushings to mitigate the tube deformation and hole elongation that has happened over time with other folks.

  Oct 09, 2021     Milestone: Completed Sec 32, tail cone attachment - (11.8 hours)       Category: Fuselage

One of the easier sections to do, it's a milestone in construction by having the "canoe" together. The only interesting thing is that the first three rivets on the baggage floor board outboard angles, F-1023L/R, were fairly inaccessible. I couldn't see a way to get a bucking bar in the tight spot between ribs, so I substituted with MK319-BS rivets.

I'm going to take a break from airframe building and assemble the engine.

  Jun 29, 2019     Quick Build Fuselage and Wings Inventory - (3 hours) Category: Fuselage

Using the parts inventory as my checklist, I completed the inspection and inventory of all parts for the QB order. Of all the kits I've ordered from Van's, this was the first one where I actually had a discrepancy. Bags 1251-2 and 1252 were missing and bag 1443 had the wrong parts in it, but Van's was very quick to provide the parts and I cannot say enough about the excellent customer support and products they provide.

  May 24, 2019     Quick Build Fuselage and Wings Arrive - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage

Stewart transportation arrived on time and had my kit in excellent shape. The driver was very helpful, although we were able to slide the wings out and set right on to my waiting wing cart (from previous builds) and the fuselage was set directly on to my rolling fuselage cart and then all rolled into the garage. I put my wings, flaps and ailerons in the small garage for now and the fuselage, canopy and remaining parts went into the big garage for building.

No issues noted on shipping. Inventory to follow.