Mar 28, 2024     Elevator pushrod - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage

I had previously made the elevator pushrod. It was time to set it into place with the elevators attached to the HS. Set the elevator bell crank to neutral and thread the end bearings in and tighten the jam nuts. This can now be removed until later. Inserting the little elevator pushrod looks to be an impossible PITA to get in, buuuuuut I found a hack that is suppose to work. More on that next time….

  Mar 28, 2024     HS drill and install. - (6 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Time to position and install the horizontal stabilizer. First I made the spacers that go under the front spar angle of the HS. Next was to position the stabilizer so it is equal, side to side and there is no sweep. Basically equal to the longitudinal line of the aircraft. With some careful measurements and the HS clamped in place, I drilled the outboard holes, which are very critical as they go through both supporting angles and the longerons, all of which must be centered with proper edge distance. Pilot hole to #40 first then upsize slowly from there. Since I measured carefully, the edge distance was great and I'm happy with the outcome.

Next was to slide the spacers under the front HS spar, align them and dril the holes through them. Bolt this down. Next slide 3/16 spacers under the center of the rear HS spar and drill through the thick bars at the rear. I was able to eyeball the center here and it turned out great. Put some keeper bolts in there.
Next to drill the inboard holes in the front HS spar. The measurements are on the plans.

  Mar 27, 2024     Static port install - (2 hours)       Category: Fuselage

I received the upgraded static ports from Showplanes and installed them after drilling out the supplied vans ones. This was very easy to do and the results look great. They are identical on the outside to the vans pop rivets which is important to the overall static system readings.

I am also going to do the system a bit different than the way the plans say. I routed the flexible clear tubing up to the center of the bulkhead where both sides meet the T. From there it will run foreword with the stiffer static line. This will improved the “no water in the system, system”.

  Mar 26, 2024     Began canopy-roll bar - (6 hours)       Category: Canopy

Began working on the roll bar portion of the canopy. First up, once the canopy was squeezed in to the proper width(mine was wider than fuselage) I measured for the fore and aft holes that bolt the roll bar on. I measured, checking multiple times per the plans and for whatever reason my foreword hole would cause a major edge distance problem in the foot weldment of the roll bar. I have read of this happening to other builders and the contacted vans. Vans told them the fore/aft positioning of the roll bar is not that critical and that they could move the roll bar a bit to achieve proper edge distance. So this is the approach I am going to have to go with. Oh and I used a big old ratchet strap from HF to bring the roll bar in.

Next up was to fabricate the spacers that go under the rollbar/foreward deck so the washer/nuts have a flat spot to rest. I was able to get the foreword spacers drilled but the aft spacers are almost impossible to hold up to get drilled in such an incredibly tight space. I believe I am going to have to create a relief hole in the deck in order to get in there.

  Mar 25, 2024     Back at it….. fresh air vents. - (3 hours)       Category: Fuselage

I made some small aluminum backing squares for the rivets to hold. Once that was complete I scuffed both the vent and skin, mixed up a small batch of pro seal and stuck the air vents on. I left them to set up/cure with clecos hold everything together. I came back 2 days later and riveted the few rivets securing the vents. Many people just use the sealant, but I opted for a couple security keeper rivets in addition to the sealant.

  Mar 12, 2024     Back on track       Category: Workshop

It's been a little bit since I did any real meaningful work since I've been moving into and arranging everything in the hangar. But with everything moved in and mostly organized, I'm back at the building. I need to go back and figure out on what I need to complete that I had to skip due to space constraints.

  Feb 29, 2024     BIG DAY!!!!!!       Category: Workshop

After 3+ years on hangar waiting lists, I received a call from the closest airport to me and they advised me that a hangar was ready to go. They asked if I still wanted it and without hesitation I said YES!!!!!! I am so happy that this popped up when it did.

So with the help my buddy Nick and his dad, we were able to move everything in a day with two trips of a 26 foot U-Haul. I am incredibly thankful for them for helping me on short notice!

The fridge is stocked :)

  Feb 28, 2024     Brake lines - (5 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Brake lines received from ACS after a slight adjustment in length due to me having the retrofit brake pedals. I temporarily installed the lines so that I could get the clocking angle correct. Removed the pedal system after this so that I can install them permanently. Tom at ACS was phenomenal to work with!!!!!!!

  Feb 27, 2024     Panel inserts - (10 hours)       Category: Instrument Panel

Panel inserts arrived from send cut send, I had to learn CAD again and design the panel inserts for all the various cutouts I would have. Once I knocked the rust off, they came out great and I couldn't be happier.

  Feb 27, 2024     Sub panel - (20 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Put sub panel together and clecoed it to the fuselage. All of the small angles were drilled in place.