Feb 03, 2024     35-2: Back to the rear floor pans - (3.5 hours)       Category: 35: Access Panel

With all the AC nutplates finally installed, I was able to permanently install the rear floor pans. Got the pans fit in place. Had to file a little off the openings that accept the seat brackets, it was just too tight. Got all of the pull rivets set and then match drilled the holes into the spar. I can't access to deburr these holes so I drilled an undersized hole and reamed to #30. Installed the LP-3s in those holes. What a big day. Finally have a secure place to put my weight in the fuselage.

2/4: got all the bucked rivets except for about 10. I ran out of 4-4 rivets! I finished enough to proceed with the rear seat pans and reinstall the flap motor and torque tubes.

  Dec 10, 2023     35-2: Rear floor pan prep - (1.5 hours)       Category: 35: Access Panel

I've been told that the rear floor pans are very difficult to get in and once they're in, you really can't get them out. So wanted to get everything prepped. I had previously deburred and primed them so just needed to get them dimpled and install the nut plates. Use the DRDT to dimple everything and then even used it to rivet the nut plates. A little bit of trial and error but I found as long as I could keep the assembly level, and if I preinstalled all the screws, I could set pretty flush rivets. Came out good.

Once the floor pan is in, they do have you match drill the spar. I won't have a lot of opportunity to deburr these holes (wouldn't have good access even if I could remove the floor pan) so I will drill the holes undersized and ream them to #30.

Can't install these floor parts s until I have the AC, but they're ready at least.

  Nov 05, 2023     35-6: Tunnel covers - (1.5 hours)       Category: 35: Access Panel

Have had the tunnel covers loosely installed for a while, but wanted to go ahead and prime them today. I noticed that the notch in the front of the F-1015A forward tunnel cover was touching the brake lines. Decided to make that notch a little larger to provide clearance.

Then primed everything with a batch of other tunnel parts.