Mar 25, 2024     Panel work - (3.0 hours)       Category: 41: Up Fwd Fuse

Used the acrylic panel and the GTN/GMC trays to align and drill holes for the center stack support angles. This was the second try at these and still didn't quite get it right. The holes to the panel came out fine, but the holes from the trays into the angles are difficult. I drilled them to #8, but the screws didn't sit very flush. Then saw the instructions for the GTN say to use #6 screws. I guess they oversized the holes in the trays. And despite my best effort to have everything clamped up right, the alignment of the holes is not great. I will get some more angle strock and try again.

  Feb 16, 2024     41-2 thru 41-3: Cutting sub panel - (2.0 hours)       Category: 41: Up Fwd Fuse

Used my plexiglass panel to align the GTN tray and set the spacing of the vertical support angles. Clamped everything I'm place and drilled a couple #40 holes through nut plate holes in the bottom brace. Cleco'd that in place and drilled the #19 holes through the plexiglass and into the vertical angles. Removed the top skin and drilled the top holes from the vertical supports into the top panel flanges. A little tricky, but got it lined up.

Got the GTN cutout marked on the subpanel and cut it with the oscillating tool.

I thought the autopilot head was going to fit below the center forward rib, but it doesn't. Decide to trim a small piece off the corner of the brace and reinforced it with a short piece of angle.