Oct 28, 2023     Replace fwd fuse rib - (1.0 hour) Category: 31: Upper Fuse

Had just the one LCP that I'm replacing, the center rib in the forward fuse.

Just a little time to take things apart and reassemble. Revisiting this section though I did realize that I don't have the F-1083Q throttle cable support for the quadrant option. I'll need to order one, but with the issues at Van's, who knows when I'll get it.

  Aug 28, 2023     31Q-2, 5, 7 & 8: continuing on upper fuse - (2.5 hours)       Category: 31: Upper Fuse

New parts received from vans for the Panel attach flange and the F-1044C spacer. Took care of the remedial fabrication work on those then proceeded with the match drilling of the attach flanges to the upper fuse skin. A little awkward at first but was not hard. Then drilled the holes from the panel into the attach flanges. Drilled the nut plate holes and machine countersink them for oops rivets. It's too tight in the flange to dimple any of those holes. I'll just machine countersink all of the nut plate in the panel. Should come out better anyways.

Gently formed curves into the handhold reinforcements and match drilled them to the skin.

A little more countersinking nut plate holes and then section should be ready to prime.

8/29: finished up the countersinks.

  Aug 16, 2023     31Q-2 & 4 thru 7: Upper fuse fabrication - (6.8 hours)       Category: 31: Upper Fuse

Just a little fabrication of the spacers and angle pieces. Bent the tab on the 1/8” angle with a mallet on the vice. No problem.

Separated the other light angle pieces and panel support angles.

Some upper fuse components are laser cut. Just documenting the pieces and proceeding with prep of the parts. Will hold off on final riveting.
F-1068BL&R
F-1068A
F-1044A

8/17: made the bends on the sub panel. Just clamped to the kitchen table (in the a/c) and slowly bent with wooden blocks. Came out ok.

8/19: got all of the parts deburred and then reassembled the skeleton for real this time. Installed the angle brace and drilled the hole at the firewall. I knew it was going to be close, but after drilling, it definitely didn't meet edge distance. Gabri Syed a new one and was much better the second time. Realized that the spacer I cut was an inch too short.

Proceeded to flute the angles next to the panel to match the curvature. Then realized one of the angles was too short also. I read 11 3/16”. It clearly says 11 13/16”. I don't have any spare stock to cut another one so ordered one from Vans along with stock for a new spacer.

Will need to pause on this section till next week.

  Aug 07, 2023     31: Just messing around - (1.0 hour)       Category: 31: Upper Fuse

After all the work on the side skins, I needed a little win and some motivation. Cleco'd on the upper fuse pieces and panel just to see how it goes together.

With the panel in place I just couldn't resist printing some of the Garmin full-size face plate templates to see what this panel might look like.

I swear I did not get in and make airplane noises. I actually have still not sat in it once.