Feb 07, 2024     Baggage floors in, starting to set tail       Category: Fuselage

I got the last of the rivnuts in... had to tighten a screw to get them to pull together in the tight space. I found a step drill worked much better for getting the bigger holes.

My friend and I set the tail in place for the first time. At first, I thought it didn't align with the rudder, but then saw that I had to position it carefully to match the length. So, with the rudder holding it all in place, I drilled a pilot hole for the 3/16" bolt. My bit was too dull, so I'm waiting until I can go to Aircraft Spruce and get a sharp one (and a reamer). Will set this end with the bolt and then drill for the rivets that hold it permanently.

  Jan 24, 2024     Baggage floor and back       Category: Fuselage

Got rivnuts mostly in. A couple of them can't be reached with my standard tool, so I'll have to rig a small fixture to pull them.
Mounted the baggage floor and rear panel. Still trying to find the side panels that go next to the seat rails (and my step drill which has
mysteriously disappeared!).

  Jan 17, 2024     Fitting more floor panels       Category: Fuselage

Grabbing some time here or there to fit more of the baggage floor and rear wall. I had done a pretty close guess for the size and trimmed on a shear at the school, but still needed to shave a bit off. These Harbor Freight shears work really well for pulling little curls off the end of the sheet. Will still need to deburr and smooth edges after final fitting.

Still using rivnuts to make it easy to install/reinstall

  Jan 10, 2024     First parts on the airframe       Category: Fuselage

Finally got to work on the airframe!

I misdrilled the floor pan in the cockpit the first time, so I sourced a piece of .050 replacement piece. I think the thicker floor will make it feel a little more sturdy.

I decided to use rivnuts instead of self tapping screws so I could install/remove the piece as needed. It worked out really well. It also made it pretty easy to use a strap duplicator instead of drilling from the bottom of the frame upwards to set the screws (Even with clecos installed, it slipped the first time which is why I'm on my second sheet here!)

Still a bit of fitting to do to get it to fit around the brake brackets nicely, but not bad for a first try!

I expect the baggage compartment plates to install more easily now that I have this one figured out.

  Oct 01, 2023     It's here!       Category: Workshop

The kit (surprisingly) finally came!

I do mean surpriseingly! I decided to call the shipper Monday morning to see the status of the move; to finalize details, pay, and that sort of thing.
I was told it was in San Bernadino, on a truck, and headed to my hangar.

Well, I scrambled to redirect it to my friend Santo's shipping yard where he had a forklift. After a nervous half hour wait, the truck arrived. Santos' guys got it off the truck, on an airsoft trailer and over to my house. We got it on wheels and into my garage.

On Weds, my buddies from mechanics school came over and helped me unload the very sturdy, welded crate (which will become a tool shed in the backyard.

  Aug 01, 2023     Got to sit in one at Oshkosh!       Category: Research

Went to Oshkosh and immediately sought out the Just booth.... Chris from STOL-it aircraft was there as well (and Steve Henry just hanging around with Yee Haw). Chris gave me a nice walk through of the 915 based SuperSTOL. He and the Just guys convinced me of four things:

Get the Rotax 916 - The extra 20+ HP will make it a real performer
Don't bother with an autopilot... it will just hunt uncomfortably back and forth
Don't make a baggage door. It is just extra work and it is easy to get stuff through the main door.
Use the Vertical Power distribution system with the Dynon I plan to put in

Should have the kit in hand by the end of August.

  Sep 20, 2021     Kit was sold       Category: Workshop

Sadly, I sold the kit because it duplicated my new Cirrus. Going to start on something low and slow