Feb 19, 2023     Wiring - (1 hour) Category: Avionics

Cleaned up routing of a couple wires.

  Jan 18, 2023     Glareshield LED lights - (3 hours) Category: Avionics

Wired power and ground wires for LED glareshield visor strip lighting to be installed on underside of panel visor. Wired power wire for glareshield avionics fan installed in middle of upper boot cowl glareshield. It will serve as avionics fan and defroster.

  Jan 16, 2023     Glare shield GPS and cooling fan - (3 hours)       Category: Avionics

Located and installed GPS antenna for G5 on glareshield. Also drilled and installed avionics cooling fan that will double as windshield defroster.

  Dec 31, 2022     Wiring - (3.5 hours) Category: Avionics

Wired RS-232 d-sub plug for GSU 25C that carries OAT temp info. Ran 3-wire from plug back to station 3 to hookup with 3-wire that is in left wing for the OAT.
Continued to tie up wiring loose ends behind panel.

  Dec 30, 2022     Wiring - (2.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Continued to tie up and secure wire bundles behind instrument panel. Small GPS antenna sitting loose is for G5 and will be installed on top of glareshield. Also, laid out rivet pattern for coanda fairing at base of firewall.

  Dec 28, 2022     Wiring, Etc - (3.5 hours) Category: Avionics

Continued tying up wiring behind instrument panel and the bundles leading down kick panel area to rear cockpit. Fabricated coanda fairing that will rivet to bottom of firewall to improve cowling exit air airflow.

  Dec 27, 2022     Wiring Cleanup - (3 hours) Category: Avionics

Continued clean up, re-routing and bundle tying wires behind panel. Drilled out side baffle panels for spark plug lead pass-thru fittings.

  Dec 26, 2022     Wiring - (3 hours)       Category: Avionics

Tightened attch screws for d-sub plugs on Laser ignition boxes. Cut out unnecessary wiring behind panel. Routed pitot heat temp sensor wire to station 3 for hook up. Charged IBBS batteries with TCW dedicated charger. Mounted air deflector panels on front baffles with screws so they can be changed if needed.

  Dec 21, 2022     Wiring - (4 hours) Category: Avionics

Tying and bundling wire behind instrument panel. Wire-laced bundles for avionics and the Laser III ignition boxes.

  Oct 04, 2022     Wiring and firewall - (5.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Shortened and terminated all avionics ground wires at firewall ground block. Test fit electronic ignition modules. Installed engine mount. Fabricated positive battery cable and battery ground cable.

  Oct 03, 2022     Pitot Static lines - (2 hours) Category: Avionics

Connected Pitot, Static lines to G3X and G5. Connected AOA line to G3X. Ran static lines to sides or forward cockpit area for eventual hookup to static ports that are mounted just ahead of NACA air vent inlets.

  Oct 01, 2022     Wiring - (1 hour) Category: Avionics

Short day- tidied up wire bundle behind panel. Routed pitot and AOA tubing down left side of cockpit. Terminated rear cockpit ground terminal block at main firewall ground block.

  Sep 30, 2022     Main Bus - (3 hours)       Category: Avionics

Located and mounted main bus bar onto cockpit side of firewall. Located and drilled hole in firewall for positive battery cable to pass thru to connect to the battery master solenoid. Also mounted control stick assembly to cockpit floor. Relocated main ground block (rotated 180 deg.) on firewall to allow for better alignment to battery negative cable.

  Sep 29, 2022     Wiring - (3.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Fabricated 12ga. ground wire that will ground the rear cockpit ground block to the main firewall ground block. Routed ground wire on right side of cockpit with other wire bundle. Completed install of main EarthX battery box under avionics tray. Located and installed nutplate to secure the latch to the avionics tray above.

  Sep 28, 2022     wiring - (4 hours)       Category: Avionics

Wired ground wires for stick grip wiring. Used GAD27 dSub pins 28 and 30 (wht/grn) that were originally for the roll trim servo (not installed). Tied the 2 wires together and extended with a third wire using a solder sleeve. This ground wire will be attached to the main firewall grounding block. Discovered error in my wiring of dSub plugs to stick grips. I unpinned and reversed the wires in the male half of the connector to match up with the female connector. (you must be aware that the male and female dSub plugs are mirror images of each other- pay attention to the plug wiring numbers!) Plugged back in and powered up Avionics. After temp installing the headset jacks and headset, I tested the PTT- they work perfectly for both stick grips and both radios transmit from both left and right grips. I also connected the new USB-C power cord to the iPad and it works as expected. The iPad cooling fan also works as expected I also was able to verify voltage on the Avionics IBBS @ 13.8v. In addition, I was able to receive an ADS-B target on the transponder (also appeared on the G3X map display) while still in the shop. Also, I was able to pair my phone to the GMA 245 via Bluetooth and listen to music over the aircraft headset. Way cool! Finally, I verified the V-speeds that I loaded the other day into the G3X. They speed tape has correct speeds and color bands. Testing will continue but I'm very happy with the results of the Avionics testing so far. Again, I'm using a 14V. regulated power supply wired directly to the main bus.

  Sep 26, 2022     Wiring - (5.5 hours) Category: Avionics

Continued cockpit wiring. Connected power/ground wires for the USB C cable Guardian sent to replace the Apple charge cable they supplied originally. I wired in d-Sub connectors for the control stick grip wire bundles for Pilot and Copilot stick grips. This way they can be disconnected if required for removal. I terminated pitot heat power cable and header tank low fuel indicator wires. This pretty well completes the aft cockpit wiring with the exception of the USB charging plug wires. The supplied wires were too short to reach the center console so I'll have to splice in longer wires to reach charging port. Final routing and securing of all aft cockpit wire bundles remains.

  Sep 23, 2022     Wiring Testing - (2 hours) Category: Avionics

Temp wired the Aveo combo stobe/nav lights to the cockpit terminal blocks. Strobe and nav lights functioned normally using panel switches. Checked boost pump operation- normal. Checked header tank low fuel light- red light came on with empty tank. Removed cap from tank and carefully lifted switch to simulate fuel in tank- red light on panel extinguished. . Checked ELT operation using remote switch on instrument panel. Remote switch panel functioned normally. All items operate normally

  Sep 21, 2022     Wiring - (3.5 hours) Category: Avionics

Soldered trim servo power and position wires. Terminated wing lighting, cockpit lighting and pitot heat power wires to aft cockpit terminal block. Terminated header tank low fuel level switch ground and power wires.

  Sep 20, 2022     Wiring - (3 hours) Category: Avionics

Trimmed unnecessary wires from bundles. Routed elevator trim position cable from GEA 24. Stripped and prepared elevator trim power and position wires for soldering.

  Sep 17, 2022     Stick Grip Wiring - (5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Wired Pilot and Copilot Ray Allen G-205 stick grips. Wired Elevator trim up and down, PTT and A/P Disc (using right-hand button). Left hand button was not used. Mounted stick grips on control sticks for drilling 4-40 set screw according to the drawings. Ran grip wiring in wire loom.

  Sep 15, 2022     Wiring - (2 hours) Category: Avionics

Trimmed stick grip wires and began soldering stick grips.

  Sep 14, 2022     ELT and Stick Grip Wiring - (4 hours)       Category: Avionics

Wired ELT dSub connector with crimp pins. Added ground wire that is soldered to the cable shielding with a solder sleeve. Also, started laying out stick grip wiring.

  Sep 07, 2022     Wiring - (4.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Fed wires in sheathing and routed to rear cockpit area. Velcroed wire bundles temporarily to check routing and fitment. Continued to tidy up wiring behind panel with wire lacing. Tested Cockpit, Nav, Landing and Strobe light wiring for continuity. Good test. Switches operate normally.

  Sep 06, 2022     Wiring - (4 hours)       Category: Avionics

Removed iPad power cable from harness- it was supposed to be a USB C cable. Avionics shop is making new dSub plug with correct USB-C power cable. Rerouted antenna cables in order to bundle together. Began installing wire sheathing on copilot stick wiring. Looks like a mess now but it all makes sense-- I hope!

  Sep 05, 2022     Wiring - (4.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Installed CAN Bus terminator in GMU 11 connector. Connected iPad power plugs. Power plug and cooling fan check ok. Started wiring Artex ELT dSub connector. Need solder sleeve. Installed firewall fixtures: Starter and Master solenoids, Engine pressure transducer manifold, Red Cube fuel flow, and Master Grounding terminal block.

  Sep 03, 2022     Wiring - (4 hours) Category: Avionics

Routed and organized wire bundles from panel to rear cockpit area. Tied some wires with lacing cord. Started install of Can Bus Terminator plug on GMU 11 but mount screws were too short.

  Aug 30, 2022     Panel Power Up - (3.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Powered up panel again with iPad in place. Did some basic programming of G3X. Began to install cooling fan on iPad mount but shroud cracked. Replacement on the way. Began wiring of ELT d sub plug.

  Aug 29, 2022     First Power-Up of Panel - (4 hours)       Category: Avionics

Completed routing and attaching avionics wiring. Checked all plugs and connections. Connected 13.8V power supply to Battery Master board and connected all grounds to (-) side of power supply. Pulled all CB and insured Avionics Master switch was off. Turned on 1 avionics unit at a time to insure wiring was correct. Tested all avionics individually and everything powered up correctly. No smoke!! Finally, I powered up all connected units at once. Still no issues. Continued to routed antenna cables and assorted wiring to rear of cockpit area.

  Aug 28, 2022     Antenna Leads - (1.5 hours) Category: Avionics

Received 5 antenna leads from Shireen, Inc. Temp installed 2 GPS, 2 VHF and 1 transponder antennas. Temp installed all antenna leads in preparation for first power-up of avionics.

  Aug 17, 2022     Panel Supports - (3 hours)       Category: Avionics

Riveted instrument panel supports that will clamp to horizontal cage tube. Had to partially disassemble the panel frame to gain access to riveting from front of panel. Also, tightened and cotter keyed the bolts/nuts at base of brake master cylinders on floorboard.

  Aug 15, 2022     Remote Avionics - (2 hours)       Category: Avionics

Began permanent install of remote avionics units on avionics tray.

  Aug 06, 2022     Avionics Tray - (2 hours) Category: Avionics

Mounted GAD 27 Data unit to avionics tray. Fit and drilled mounting holes for EarthX battery that will be mounted below the tray directly under the GTR 20 remote radio. It will slide into mounting tray from the cockpit side.

  Aug 05, 2022     Avionics Tray Backup Battery Mounting - (3 hours)       Category: Avionics

Completed mounting of second backup battery on standoffs on the underside of the avionics tray. I installed 4 single-ear nutplates on upper backup-battery to allow for removal from underside if needed. This completes the remote avionics initial mounting except for the GAD 27 data box which will be mounted after the panel is mounted permanently.

  Aug 03, 2022     Backup Battery Install - (3 hours) Category: Avionics

Installed nutplates on top backup battery to allow for mounting screws to be inserted from the underside of the avionics tray. Bottom backup battery will mount directly below the top battery using 3/4" standoffs.

  Jul 18, 2022     Remote Avionics Tray - (4 hours)       Category: Avionics

Temporarily mounted all but one remote avionics box on avionics tray that will be in front of instrument panel. I made standoff bushings to mount the GMA-245R audio panel box on top of the GTR-20 Comm 2 box. The 2nd backup battery will be mounted directly below the upper backup battery using similar standoff bushings. The main EarthX battery will be mounted on the bottom of the tray to allow for easy removal from the rear, if needed.

  Jul 17, 2022     Remote Avionics Install - (3 hours)       Category: Avionics

Located and attached GTR-20 Comm 2 and GEA 24 Engine Data remote boxes. Used nutplates on forward mount holes to facilitate removal in case needed in the future.

  Jul 06, 2022     Avionics tray - (3.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Initial cutting and fitting of avionics tray that will be used to mount the remote avionics. Made from .032 6061-T6.

  Jun 20, 2022     Removed avionics boxes and prep for paint - (3 hours)       Category: Avionics

Removed and boxed up remote avionics boxes. Transferred locations of remote boxes to template that will be used to cut aluminum avionics tray. Bundled wire harnesses on panel prior to removal for painting interior panels. Test fit rudder return cable tunnel. Removed all interior trim panels for painting.

  Jun 05, 2022     Avionics mounting - (1.5 hours) Category: Avionics

Planning placement of GMA 245 on avionics tray. Test fit engine wire harness in firewall pass-thru fitting.

  Jun 04, 2022     Instrument panel - (2.3 hours)       Category: Avionics

Made cardboard template of avionics mounting shelf that will mount behind the panel on the cage tubing. Placed all remote avionics boxes in locations per the wiring diagram. It appears all boxes will fit as planned. Mounting shelf will be made from .032 6061-T6.

  May 07, 2022     First Panel Install - (5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Partially disassembled panel to locate and install #6 machine screws on sub panel that mount to welded tabs on cage. Mounted panel with help from my friends. Next step is to install firewall and match drill top boot cowl panels that will locate top of panel.

  May 06, 2022     First uncrating of instrument panel - (1 hour)       Category: Avionics

Uncrated and inspected instrument panel and wiring for first time. Studied mounting options.

  Apr 11, 2022     Remote Avionics fit up and door assembly - (4.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

First fit up of remote avionics on template for avionics mounting tray that will be in front of instrument panel. Test fit doors to cage for fit. Straightened on side of copilot door frame. Drilled and riveted both top door frame trim piece.

  Apr 05, 2022     GPS Antenna Doubler Mount plates - (3.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Fabricated and riveted nutplates to both WAAS and G3X/XM GPS antenna doubler mounting plates. Located, drilled and riveted mount plates to top of fuselage above baggage compartment behind Station 3.

  Apr 03, 2022     VHF 2 Antenna Mount doubler - (2.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Fabricated VHF Comm 2 antenna mount doubler plate and installed on bottom skin below forward baggage area.

  Apr 02, 2022     Antenna Doublers - (2 hours)       Category: Avionics

Fabricated WAAS GPS antenna doubler plate. Installed floating nutplates and drilled out rivet mounting holes.

  Apr 01, 2022     Antenna Doubler - (2 hours)       Category: Avionics

Drilled and riveted transponder antenna doubler (.063) to forward, bottom skin. Inventoried Instrument panel and avionics that arrived from SteinAir-- unreal how great the packaging and quality of work that SteinAir provides. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! They even laser etch your panel on both sides of the beautiful shipping crate-- how cool is that? I went with the carbon fiber instrument panel that Geoff Combs makes at Aerosport Products. Top quality and looks amazing! Hey, you only live once.

  Mar 30, 2022     Mounts - (2.5 hours) Category: Avionics

Fabricated angle support tab for AP pitch servo mount plate (front right corner that attaches to adel clamp). Drilled GPS mounting doubler plate for rivets. Will mount on upper forward fuselage above STE 3.

  Mar 08, 2022     AP Roll Servo - (2.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Replaced actuator arm on Garmin GSA 28 servo with Capstan and cable to serve as the aileron servo. Test mounted servo. Still need to make bushings to mount servo to mounting tray and under mounting tray. Cleaned up shop.

  Mar 05, 2022     AP Servos - (3.5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Fitting and placement of Garmin GSA 28 pitch servo. Mounted servo to mount bracket. Had to modify bracket to mount limiting fixture. Measured and drilled servo mount plate to cage mount tabs.

  Dec 07, 2021     ELT and VHF #1 antenna Mounting - (4 hours)       Category: Avionics

Completed fabrication of ELT mount plate. Cleaned and deburred. Located, drilled, dimpled and flush riveted nutplates (10-32 screws) to mount plate. Drilled rivet mounting holes in stringers and S4 bulkhead, then riveted using AAPQ-42 rivets to stringers and AAPQ-41 rivets to S4. Mounted ELT mount tray to ELT mount plate w/ 10-32 stainless screws (used Blue threadlock). Mounted ELT with provided strap. Removed right top tailcone skin and located VHF #1 antenna mount doubler to check location and clearances. Measured length of RG400 cable required for VHF #1 antenna cable and ordered same.