Project: BroxyRV14   -  
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Builder Name:Andrew Broxholme   -  
Project:   Vans - RV-14A   -   VIEW REPORTS
Total Hours:299.5
Total Flight Time:
Total Expense:$57938.68
Start/Last Date:Mar 15, 2021 - No Finish Date
 
Friendly URL: https://eaabuilderslog.org?s=BroxyRV14

Home or Last Project Picture

May 02, 2024     Workshop reorganisation - (1 hour) Category: Other
Do not currently have space to join the aft and forward fuselage together and install a rotisserieto fit out the completed structure. Good progress being made freeing up space.
 
Feb 19, 2024     Remedial - Damaged skin replacement - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Finished removal of the damaged skin from the right side of the aft fuselage after receiving confirmation that the replacement has been received and unpacked up at Mercury bay, now need to get up there and bring it home, at least now I can plan to get things restarted. Also verified and re-ordered the replacement LCP parts for my wing kit.


 
Feb 01, 2024     Reorganisation of workspace - (1 hour) Category: Workshop
The replacement skin for the aft fuselage should be available to collect soon and in the meantime I'm reworking the workshop as there won't be sufficient space once I've completed the aft fuselage and joined it to the forward fuselage and mounted it on a rotisserie. The LCP issues still not fully resolved and waiting for the new portal so I can order the replacement parts I need, limited to about half the wing ribs and flaps with the exception of the spars which were pressed.
 
Oct 04, 2023     Laser cut parts identification - (2 hours)       Category: Workshop
Reorganised the parts for the wing kit and set ordered replacements from the Vans portal, a relatively small number, mostly the flaps plus 10 pairs of wing ribs, still waiting for further information in regard the gas tanks, the flap and aft wing spars are not laser cut. I can make a start on the wings as there is quite a bit of work to do on the spars.


 
Sep 27, 2023     Rudder pedal assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fuse Fit Out
Finished building the two pairs of rudder pedals and test assembled them to the rudder bars, will paint them before I tighten everything up and install the brake cylinders. The pedals are very solid structures.


 
Sep 25, 2023     Reorganisation of workspace - (2 hours)       Category: Workshop
While I wait on the replacement aft fuselage skin I'm reorganising my working area to take into account the size of the wings once I start on them and the fuselage and its rotisserie, its a bigger aircraft than I really thought, also sorting through and identifying laser cut parts so I can request replacements and documenting where all the parts are now that I have two, soon to be three kits under construction.


 
Sep 16, 2023     Additional tools, 1/4 inch drill bits x 3 Category: Expenditure
Additional tools, 3 x 1/4 inch drills, can't find the one or two I had, will now locate them no doubt
 
Sep 16, 2023     Fuselage fit out, Controls, parts preparation - (2 hours)       Category: Fuse Fit Out
First pair of rudder pedals assembled and parts for the second set deburred, final drilled and primed ready for assembly, quite a solid little structure.


 
Sep 13, 2023     Fuselage fit out, Controls, parts preparation - (1 hour)       Category: Fuse Fit Out
While I wait for replacement aft fuselage skin am jumping forward and starting some of the internal fitout, have seperated out all the rudder pedal parts and started cleaning them up to build the two pairs. This is the first pedal ready to rivet together.


 
Sep 09, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Inastalled left and right intercostal ribs and completed rivetting of the reinforcing gussets for the mid fuselage brace.


 
Sep 03, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Fitted the mid fuselage brace and started rivetting in the supporting gussets, adds a lot of ridgidity to forward fuselage, its also where the rollover structure attaches. Still a bit of work and some tricky rivets to do.


 
Aug 30, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Started assembly of the mid fuselage brace, fitted the seat back adjustment guides, working on the little plastic parts that screw to the top which are fabricated from a stip of stock material.


 
Aug 24, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Parts preparation - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Cleaning up the parts for the mid-fuselage brace and seat back support, also part of the rollover structure.


 
Aug 19, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Rivetted in the brace supports, twice because I had to remove and replace the first one because I derformed the rivet closest to the side. Gathered together and started working on the parts for the mid fuselage brace, part of the roll over cage structure.
 
Aug 18, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Installed final wing fairing brackets and then fitted the nutplates, filled in further missing rivets on left hand side, not many left too do now.


 
Aug 17, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Finished off the final rivets aft of the spar atachment and rivetted on the top fuselage wing fairing strips plus some tricky rivets, will fit the remaining nut plates next session once I have completed more of the fuselage skin forward of the spar.
 
Aug 12, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Rivetting the left hand side skin working forward so that I can attach the wing fairing strips, I had left quite a few tricky rivets hence the time involved on this session but almost done aft of the spar. Pulled back the vinyl so I good scuff the skin to prime underneath the wing fairings.


 
Aug 07, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Almost completed the rivetting on the starboard right side with only a handful of nasty rivets remaining, need a rivet buddy to do them and I'll get to the same stage on the other side then tackle them in a single session.


 
Aug 03, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly, Remedial - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Had to remove the right side flap bracket to get out the cherry rivets that I put in without dimpling the wing fairing, a real pain. Flap bracket reattached and can now rerivet the wing fairing
 
Jul 31, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Well that was a frustrating hour, started ok as I rechecked the instructions and then rivetted in the forward fairing, then dimpled the fairing strips ready for nutplates, for whatever reason you dimple after installing on the fuselage, then installed all bar one of the nutplates. However the two small cherry rivets, which are countersunk around the flap mounting bracket, holes weren't dimpled, but me being an idiot put the rivets in, then realised I would have to take the fairing strip off to dimple the two holes, not a biggie in the scheme of things but really a case when I did know better but went ahead and made a mistake anyway, maybe just for the heck of it, at least this week I have managed to do something....
 
Jul 23, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Cleaned up the last two wing fairing angles and started fitting them to the right side of the fuselage, needed to fit a few last rivets before installing the first one. Had a workshop visit from members of local aeroclub and the local Sport Aviation chapter, temporarily attached two halves of fuselage and with wing spar alongside can see just how big aircraft will be.


 
Jul 22, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Parts preparation - (2 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Cleaning up and priming of the wing root fairing attachment angles


 
Jul 20, 2023     Shipping - Wing & Fuselage Category: Expenditure
Mistake originally made with invoicing as international shipping company did not add on the cost to get the kits to port of Los Angeles so I owed a further $764 USD to Vans, finally paid. Needed to pay this prior to ordering the finish kit which I can hold off on as lead times only around 7 months and I don't need it anytime soon.
 
Jul 20, 2023     Assembly, Aft Fuselage - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Completed the riveting of the left side fuselage skin to the aft fuselage, the replacement right side skin has not yet left the USA but it makes the aft fuselage easier to move around and stronger with the left skin fully attached, a bit tricky to rivet down around the curve onto the bottom skin but it looks ok.


 
Jul 15, 2023     Assembly, Aft Fuselage - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Still waiting on the replacement right side skin for the aft fuselage but realised I could finish the attachment of the left side skin as I had only done the top and middle stiffners, I've put additional clecos in the right side although nothing is going to move while finishing thr attachment of the left side. I also lined up the aft fuselage with the front and got a bit of a shock as to how big the fuselage will be when joined, need to rethink where it will need to go while fitting out continues.


 
Jul 07, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fwd Fuselage
Left side flap bracket attached and some more of the increasingly tricky rivets set, having to be extra careful because of the limited time spent on the project lately to double check rivet sizes and to be certain which holes to leave open.
 
Jul 01, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Back to work on the project after being away for almost two weeks and then needing to get other things organised. Doesn't look a whole lot different after 90 minutes of work as its about installing rivets, especially in the trickier places.


 
Jun 26, 2023     Tools - 11/32 spanner Category: Tools
Necessary to tighten the locknuts on the firewall penetration assembly, I did have a socket that size but its not standard in most imperial spanner sets.
 
Jun 03, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Almost done on the right side skin, flap bearing plate installed and only a handful of hard to reach rivets to go, will get to same stahe on the left side next then get some help.
 
May 29, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Further rivetting of the left side skin to the stiffners and ribs, have completed most of the rear half, next step is to put fuel sealant on the firewall edge and top forward section before rest of rivets are set.
 
May 28, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Fitted the two firewall penetration fittings into place with fuel tank sealant and sealed along the top and forward edge of the right side fuselage skin, clecoed into place while it cures, then will go back over and put last rivets in right side skin, have made a start on rivetting left side skin starting with the area above the spar carry through.


 
May 23, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (2.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Rivetting the right side skin to the fuselage frames and bulkheads, not so much the quantity of rivets as to the variation in size and type, mixture of flush and standard rivets, AN3's and AN4's plus having to leave certain ones out so it was a slow careful process of workig through the rivet plan. The other side will be easier. The closeup of the flap attachment bracket area is a good example of rivets left out until later in process.


 
May 20, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Starting at center section and working aft then forward, rivetting the skin to the bulkheads, longerons and skin stiffners, will be quite a few hours work, need to be careful because some rivets are done later due to wing fairing plates, flap attachment brackets etc, Will add a photo once a bit more is done.
 
May 20, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage fitout - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
For the last time the right side skin is fitted into position and its not coming off again, clecoed in many of the intermediate stiffners and additional support and have started some of the skin to bulkhead rivetting. I installed it with the fuselage on its side but its now on my bench as it was too awkward to rivet sideways.


 
May 19, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Rivetted the first of the skin stiffners and reinforcing plate to the left side skin, then attached the upper drag fitting, it sure aint going to come off. Came up with what I thought was a clever way to support the skin prior to it being installed, holding it upright made it easy to rivet the parts to the skin.


 
May 17, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Enough is enought, still have a few more but am going to start attaching what I've prepared.


 
May 16, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1.0 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Further fuselage parts being prepared for installation, have enough to take a break and start some assembly work.


 
May 13, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Building a nice collection of left and right fuselage side skin parts, getting near half way.


 
May 09, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
A few more parts deburred, primed and dimpled ready for attachment once the skin is fitted
 
May 08, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Started work preparing the stiffners and additional fuselage skin ribs for installation on the skin, a few go on before its rivetted then the rest to complete the structure, lots of parts to seperate, clean up and prime.


 
May 07, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Completed countersinking of the left side upper and lower longerons and side skin plates, refitted to the skin. Now going to work on the other skin reinforcing parts ahead of permanently attacjhing the skins.
 
May 02, 2023     Primer - 1L Neutral gray - large parts Category: Expenditure
Slightly better match than the medium green that I used up, doesn't lok quite so bad over the slightly darker ratlle can gray that I use on small parts.
 
May 02, 2023     S29 - Forward Fuselage, Parts preparation - (2 hours) Category: Fuselage
Trial fir and final drill left side fuselage skin, remove, debur and prime, just finished dimpling it, last job before next phase of assembly is machine countersinking of side plate and left side upper and lower longerons, already have photos of right side parts.
 
May 02, 2023     Additional primer - 12 x rattle cans Category: Expenditure
Good deal from local supplier if I bought 12 cans, not like I won't go through it.
 
Apr 26, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
End of the first stage of preparation for right side fuselage skin with it back on the airframe, some rivetting to start on but still quite a few components before it is permanently attached, have started the prep work for the left side skin, this needs some final drilling before its primed and dimpled. It really does look like an aeroplane fuselage now with the right side skin temporarily reattached.


 
Apr 23, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage fitout - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Missed a few bolts in the area of the control column assembly which is why it took an hour to get it fitted. I've tightened up the nuts and doesn't seem to be any play but have posted on facebook to get some guidance on whether shims will be needed or a different combination of washers.


 
Apr 22, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Removed the gear support braces so that I could complete the rivetting of the lower forward and center section skins, support braces reinstalled.


 
Apr 21, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage fitout - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Completed countersinking of the longerons for the right side skin and side plate, rivetted most of the hard to reach rivets that join the forward fuselage and center section with the help of Maaka. Need to remove the main gear braces to do the last few rivets, misread the instructions as I had torqued up the bolts so will likely buy new locknuts.


 
Apr 20, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Scuffed and primed both side of the right fuselage skin prior to dimpling for installation
 
Apr 19, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Parts preparation - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Test fitted the right side skin and longerons to fuselage, final drilled the holes that needed upsizing to #30 and marked out the areas of the skin that do and DO NOT get dimpled and started countersinking the longerons and side plate. Once that is done I can scuff and prime them dimple the skin ready for it to be attached, likely a few more hours yet but it looked cool sitting on the fuselage.


 
Apr 17, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Completed the left side upper longeron assembly and started preparing the right side skin by removing the vinyl around the rivets, will match drill then scuff and prime. big skins make me nervous after my opps on the aft fuselage skin, these are very big hence very expensive to get another if you mess up.


 
Apr 16, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (2 hours) Category: Fuselage
Completed the second lower forward longeron assembly and have now completed the right side upper longeron and have started work on the left side assembly.
 
Apr 14, 2023     s29 - Forward fuselage parts - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Assembled the first part of the control system which can be fitted once the floor is rivetted and worked on the lower longeron assemblies which involves removing quite a bit of material then smoothing everything out and priming, right side ready to rivet together, left side shown test-assembled.


 
Apr 13, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
More rivetting of the lower fuselage skins to the bulkheads and ribs, tricky to get to some of these and will have to remove the lower gear drag brace which I'd rather not do but unavoidable, instructions really not clear.


 
Apr 09, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Clecoed in all the lower fuselage skins and final drilled for the rivets through skins into lower drag fittings, sizeable cherry rivets.


 
Apr 08, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage fitout - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Prepared and installed the right side reinforcing plate and drag fitting which must be match drilled then removed, deburred and primed. Now need to make a brace so I can stand the whole assembly on its side so that the skin can be rivetted from underneath where it overlaps.


 
Apr 06, 2023     Imperial socket set and tap & die set Category: Tools
Grew tired of my very old small imperial sockets so have purchased a new set of small diameter sockets for my 1/4 inch drive torque wrench, have also bought a small imperial set of taps and dies, I know I have a big old vintage set somewhere but cannot locate them and needed to clean up a thread to fit a hydraulic fitting in the fuselage.
 
Apr 06, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage fitout - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Had missed tightening some of the rib attachment bolts which have now all been done then worked on the left side bulkhead plate and matchdrilled the upper drag fitting, both primed and ready to be fitted. They rivet onto the skin so are only clecoed in at this stage.


 
Apr 05, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage fitout - (1 hour) Category: Fwd Fuselage
Left side drag block and gear brace assembly fitted, missed tightening a few of the nuts and bolts holding the baggage area ribs to the forward bulkhead, need to do them while I have access.
 
Apr 04, 2023     S29 - Forward fuselage fitout - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Fitted the left side drag brace and gear leg support which ties the front and back spar bulkheads together, one the right side is done it can be stood on its side and all the overlapping skins rivetted to the bulkheads and ribs.


 
Apr 02, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (2 hours)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Completed the installation of the cover panels then went ahead and started the join to attach the forward fuselage to the center section which was quite a mission. Started preparing the parts to stabilise the join which involves the main undercarriage braces and the reinforcing that holds the fore and aft bulkheads in place.


 
Apr 01, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Fitted the right side cover plate in the forward cockipt and preparing the left side part, last few parts before I'm ready to join the forward fuselage to the center section structure.


 
Mar 31, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Firewall detail - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Completed the assembly and fitting of the two cabin heat ducts and worked on getting the battery box ready to fit, it has nutplates on it but some of the rivet holes need a countersimk extension.


 
Mar 30, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Firewall detail - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Have almost finished building the two cabin heat ducts that allow warm air from the engine area into the cockpit and also working on the battery box which is mounted near the top. A little bit more actual fabrication involving the stainless steel hinges for the vent door.


 
Mar 26, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Rivetted in the bulkhead assembly to the cockpit floor, doesn't look a great deal different but significant number of rivets involved.


 
Mar 22, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Finished rivetting the firewall assembly to the muffler shroud and cockpit floors, prepared and fitted the fuel selector value bracket and routing piece for fuel lines, next step is to start fitting the forward spar bulkhead that was built in section 25 to the cockpit floor and tunnel assembly. In the last photos its held by a few cleco's and bolts for alignment.


 
Mar 20, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (2 hours)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Rivetted in the cowl attachment plates and started rivetting the muffler shroud and cockpit floor to the forward firewall assembly which involves lots of rivets. Maybe another hour to complete the attachment process. Easiest way to put in the underfloor rivets is with the assembly standing vertically on the firewall


 
Mar 18, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (2 hours)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Well wasn't looking forward to attaching the firewall assembly to the cockpit floor and muffler shroud as it needs to be prosealed in the process, not hugely happy with the way part of the shroud has joined with the firewall but I'll go back and do those four rivets when the proseal has gone off.


 
Mar 17, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Completed the assembly of the muffler shrounds to lower front fuselage skins, before and after rivetting. Now to get it all lined up and attached to the forward firewall assembly built in section 27


 
Mar 15, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Put sealant between muffler shround sides and cockpit floor and allowed to cure, then rivetted in place, now ready to fit the top of the shround which is also sealed to the side sections, picture taken before rivets were set.


 
Mar 12, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Parts preparation - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Fitted the muffler hanger doublers and assembled and fitted the fuel control brackets to the muffler shrouds, next step is to rivet them to the cockpit floor which means its back to the fuel tank sealant.


 
Mar 12, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Parts preparation - (1 hour) Category: Fwd Fuselage
Back rivetted on the left and right forward fuselage floor stiffners and antenna doublers, then worked on the parts that will attach to the muffler shroud, detached, deburred and primed.
 
Mar 11, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Parts preparation - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Cut out and cleaned up the main gear leg hole on the right side floor skin and completed all the dimpling on both skin sectins ready to rivet on the stiffners and antenna doubler plates.


 
Mar 09, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Parts preparation - (1 hour) Category: Fwd Fuselage
Completed cleaning up the gear leg hole in the left side forward fuselage floor and dimpled the majority of the rivet holes, started cutting out the right side gear leg hole, these overlap the hole in the cabin floor skin.
 
Mar 08, 2023     S28 - Forward Fuselage, Parts preparation - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Cleaned up, primed and dimpled the skin stiffeners and antenna mounting doublers for the forward cockpit floor still still has to be dimpled and also need to finish cutting out the hole for the main gear legs, will be quite a few hours before next phase of assembly will start.


 
Mar 04, 2023     S27 - Firewall, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Section 27, Firewall assembly is complete, put in the last of the rivets in the firewall angles, now to move onto Section 28 which is the forward cockpit floor.


 
Mar 03, 2023     S27 - Firewall, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Rivetted in the nutplates, the doubler thats fits on the port firewall and have made good progress on the port side firewall angle rivets, there are lots of these as firewall is key structural component of the aircraft which also carries the engine mount and nose undercarriage.


 
Feb 26, 2023     S27 - Firewall, Assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fwd Fuselage
Started final rivetting all the firewall angles and nut plates to the firewall, made a good start but lots to do.
 
Feb 25, 2023     S27 - Firewall, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Forward firewall assembly, second attempt with the fuel tank sealant and while it is a bit messy hasn't been too bad, I think its easier to experiment with it on this assembly than it would be on the fuel tanks


 
Feb 23, 2023     S27 - Firewall, Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Applied fuel tank sealant then clecoed and rivetted the three firewall sections together, lots of cleco's because at this stage only a handful of rivets are set.


 
Feb 21, 2023     S27 - Firewall, Part preparation - (0.5 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Machine countersinking of firewall angle, re-primed after completion, ready to rivet in place with fuel tank sealant between the stainless steel firewall sections


 
Feb 20, 2023     S27 - Firewall, Assembly - (.5 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Finally got back to the build and am almost ready to use proseal/ chemseal for the first time to make the three parts of the firewall into one structure. Need to machine countersink the frame which I will get to this afternoon.


 
Feb 11, 2023     Dimple die set and replacement screws Category: Expenditure
3/32 dimple die set and some replacement screws, but ordered the wrong size....
 
Feb 02, 2023     Rudder, final assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Completed rivetting the rudder skins to the bottom ribs and also to the lower counter balance rib so ready to fit the weight then the final top rib. Once the top rib is in place will rivet down either side of the spar then start on the trailing edge, still a bit nervous about that.


 
Jan 29, 2023     Rudder, final assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Fitted the spar assembly to the rivetted left and right skins and attached spar to the shear clips, starting to final rivet the structure, the trailing edge rivets are the last items to be installed.


 
Jan 28, 2023     Rudder pre-assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Completed countersinking of the trailing edge wedge and have trial assembled the left and right skins plus wedge, happy with the way that the skins join down the trailing edge.
 
Jan 22, 2023     Rudder, final assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Back rivetted the stiffners to the left side rudder skin and began machine countersinking the trailing edge wedge.


 
Jan 21, 2023     Rudder, final assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Back rivetted the skin stiffners to the right hand rudder skin and fitted the shear clips, left side skin is next then its onto trailing edge wedge.
 
Jan 21, 2023     Rudder pre-assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Completed dimpling all parts and the skins and have clecoed the right side skin stiffeners into place ready to begin back rivetting and final assembly. Just broke the 200 hour mark on the project so far.


 
Jan 19, 2023     Rudder pre-assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Started dimpling the skins and stiffners in preparation for final assembly
 
Jan 14, 2023     Rudder pre-assembly - (2 hours)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Deburred and primed the left and right rudder skins, trimmed the trailing edge wedge to length and have preassembled it for final drilling, Majority of the holes do not need final drilling but some do, then skin can be dimpled ready to start installing the skin stiffners.


 
Jan 11, 2023     Fuel tank sealant - 1 pint (Firewall) Category: Expenditure
Query its expiry date with supplier, made in June 2022, expires?
 
Jan 09, 2023     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Rivetted together the rear fuselage aft deck ready to be installed following the right side skin repair around the access point.


 
Jan 08, 2023     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
First real fabrication task, the Horizontal stabiliser attachment support angle which involves cutting material off some thick angle material to very specific dimensions.


 
Jan 08, 2023     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (2 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Assembled the aft fuselage top skin section, quite an issue with the stiffner which had to be removed, fixed up and refitted. Have started on the aft fuselage deck while I await a repair scheme for the issue with the right side fuselage skin.


 
Jan 04, 2023     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Deburring and priming the top skin of the aft fuselage, can't be fitted yet but making it into an assembly while I wait for the tank sealant to arrive.


 
Jan 03, 2023     S27 - Firewall, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Assembled the right hand side firewall section and rivetted in the firewall angles, then dimpled a few missed rivet holes and dimpled the top section of the firewall but this can't be fitted until I get some fuel tank sealant.


 
Jan 01, 2023     S27 - Firewall, Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Rivetted the firewall angles to the left hand firewall section, now will repeat process with right side, need to get some fuel tank sealant before the two halves can be joined to the top section. The stainless steel is quite soft and easily distorts.


 
Dec 29, 2022     S27 - Firewall, Part preparation - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Dimpled the left and right firewall halves and working on the bracing sections that need to be machine countersunk then rivetted in place, will do the left side first, then right side, will need to order some fuel tank sealant before they can be fitted to the top section of the firewall.


 
Dec 28, 2022     More paint and scouring pads Category: Expenditure
Bought some more of the course pads for deburring parts, $7.20 each and I have bought quite a few but not sure of exact count so just putting in a rough figure so far, also purchased two more cans of spray paint.
 
Dec 26, 2022     S27 - Firewall, Part preparation - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Completed assembly of left and right tunnel assemblies, now started on the left and right lower firewall assemblies.


 
Dec 26, 2022     S27 - Firewall, Part preparation - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
Machine countersinking completed and assembled left and right tunnel sides, left side is rivetted including nutplates, left side still to be rivetted plus more dimpling and nutplates to be fitted.


 
Dec 23, 2022     S27 - Firewall, Part preparation - (1 hour)       Category: Fwd Fuselage
While I figure out what to do about the problem with the rear fuselage have moved onto the firewall and forward fuselage.


 
Dec 19, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - (1 hour) Category: Aft Fuselage
Rivetting of the left side skin to the bulkheads, main longeron and mid skin stiffner, rivetted down to lower stiffner just before the skin curves to form the bototm of the fuselage. Then I made a start on the right side but squeezer slipped, need to assess what is required before I go back to working on the fuselage.
 
Dec 18, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - Remedial - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Redimpled the remainder of the right side skin and very happy with the way it looks, have refitted it to the tail and begun rivetting it back into place, the flush AD3 rivets are sitting down nicely in the new dimples and so far its looking really good. So far I have not had to do anything about holes that were previously rivetted, not oversize to any great degree and new rivets are going in ok.


 
Dec 16, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - Remedial - (1.5 hours) Category: Aft Fuselage
Derivetted and removed the right side skin so that I can attempt to fix the incorrectly shaped dimples, has come off very cleanly with no damage so think it can be re-installed, have redimpled around the edges with a pnematic squeezer and correct dimple die set. Will use C-Frame for the holes further in from the edges. Longerson and stiffners are also OK.
 
Dec 15, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - Remedial - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
First of two fixes, misread the instructions around the nutplate attachment holes and they didn't get dimpled before I started installing it, managed to fix the other side without removing the skin but not entirely happy with how that went so derivetted in the area around the nutplates on the left side to better dimple the parts then rivetted the skin back down and fitted the nutplates. The second area to fix is to pull off the right side skin and fix the dimples which weren't done correctly.


 
Dec 15, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Continued to rivet the side skins to the bulkheads, longerons and skin stiffners, working down from top on flatter sections first.


 
Dec 12, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - (2.5 hours) Category: Aft Fuselage
Rivetted the aft bulkhead and lower fuselage skin to tail and started on rivetting the side skins beginning at the tail and working foreward
 
Dec 11, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - (2 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Worked out where the wires needed to go, not fixed yet but out of the way of the skin rivets. Fitted the aft fuselage and end bulkhead which really wasn't much fun trying to get everything lined up but managed in the end, now ready to start rivetting the structure. Note, read the instructions, I had to remove a lot of the cleco's holding the side skins in place to allow everything to move to line everything up.


 
Dec 10, 2022     Aft fuselage skins - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Dimpled the left side skin and fitted it to the aft fuselage, currently trying to work out how to route the wiring loom before the skin is rivetted in place.


 
Dec 09, 2022     Right hand fuselage skin preparation - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Deburred and primed the right hand skin leaving most of the vinyl on the outer surface to protect it from scratches, next step is lots of dimples before skin can be fitted to aft fuselage and permanent rivetting can start.


 
Dec 06, 2022     Tail cone and aft fuselage rivetting - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Removed and replaced the rivets in the aft lower fuselage skin that were not set correctly and rivetted the aft bulkhead to the curved skin ready for it to be attached once the right side skin is put in place.


 
Dec 05, 2022     S26 - Center section assembly - (0.5 hour) Category: Fuselage
All done on section 26 except haven't torqued up the bolts on the front spar yet, will put a tag on them so I don't forget, need to get the right tools for that. Final tasks was fitting the baggage area stiffner and rivetting in the bottom of the side baggage area ribs, now back to the aft fuselage.
 
Dec 04, 2022     S26 - Center section assembly - Remedial - (2.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Fitted two parts to the step assembly the wrong way around, left on right side and vice versa, they were seperated from a single piece and did not look that different and it was only when I tried to rivet the skin down onto the baggage ribs that it just would not fit properly, had to remove quite a few rivets to allow me to get at the bracket and remove them and switch them over, rivet them back in place then rerivet the skin down to the ribs, lesson learned. The first two pictures show the parts before removal, because you don't rivet all the way back to the end of the ribs I didn't cleco back that far either, but it also explains the slight alignment issue with them the wrong way around, if it don't fit, you have done something wrong....


 
Dec 03, 2022     S26 - Center section assembly - (1.5 hours) Category: Fuselage
Rivetting of the lower fuselage skin to the baggage area ribs, quite tricky because the rivets toward the middle are difficult to reach but I ended up making a support block and standing sideways on the floor which made it easier to reach most of the rivets. Will need to double check some of them and the area near the step isn't sitting flush, something not quite right in that area.
 
Dec 01, 2022     S26 - Center section assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Rivetted in the step assemblies onto the center section then remaining baggage ribs, some very tight corners to work in but now ready to final rivet most of the lower skin to the baggage ribs but leaving a section at the back where the rear fuselage overlaps.


 
Dec 01, 2022     s26 - Step assembly - (1.5 hours) Category: Fuselage
A very tricky structure to assemble and rivet together some rivets could be squeezed but quite a few need to be driven and there wasn't a lot of space for even small bucking bars to get properly behind rivet, probably mot difficult bit since I fitted nose ribs to horizontal stabiliser. Still have to complete rivetting the inner baggage rib with seat belt attachments then it can be fitted to middle bulkhead.
 
Nov 30, 2022     S26 - Center section assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Completed the assembly and preparation of the baggage area ribs and started on the assembly of the external step, the baggage ribs are only clecoed in at this point as the step assembly has more work to be done before its fitted to the center bulkhead and lower skin.


 
Nov 27, 2022     S26 - Center section assembly - (2 hours)       Category: Fuselage
First use of a friend to help set the last few rivets in the middle of the lower fuselage to seat ribs to skin process, just could not reach far enough to have enough control over the gun and buckling bar simultaneously, Also should have read ahead a little as it was a pain to rivet the gear brace brackets to the inner rib because the holes were slightly undersized for the blind rivets, so what I though would take 30 minutes, ended up taking 2 hours in total.


 
Nov 26, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (2 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Completed back rivetting the aft gear brace, then had to remove two parts that I had fitted wrong way around, left side on the right and vise versa, then seat rib assembly lowered into place (it fits better if above mentioned parts are the right way around) and in the process of rivetting it to the seat ribs and bulkheads.


 
Nov 26, 2022     s26 - Aft gear brace assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Rivetted the aft gear assembly together after upsizing the holes to match what the plans said to use, holes were only #40 but called out rovets were AD4's. Now clecoed into place ready to back rivet to lower fuselage skin after which the seat rib structure can be fitted into place.
 
Nov 24, 2022     S26 - Center section lower skin assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Beginning assembly of aft gear brace structure, instructions appear to be incomplete as holes don't match the rivets called out to assemble it.


 
Nov 23, 2022     Step drill Category: Tools
Required for enlarging holes in the center section lower skin and forward fuselage lower skins likely for antenna installations.
 
Nov 23, 2022     S26 - Center section lower skin assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Completed dimpling the lower skin, bit of a trial with lots of rivet holes to do and c-frame was only just big enough, also deburred and primed the aft gear brace parts.
 
Nov 22, 2022     S26 - Center section lower skin assembly - (2 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Preparing and installing the doublers and reinforcing structures that are to be fitted to the lower fuselage forward skin prior to attaching it to the seat rib and bulkhead structure already built. The stiffeners and doubler are back rivettted and pretty happy how the first batch turned out, first time I've used that back rivet set for a decent series of rivets.


 
Nov 20, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section skins - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Completed the initial priming of the center section lower fuselage skin and the left and right forward lower fuselage skins, it really gives you a sense of how big this plane is, thats the biggest part so far, now will start work on attaching the smaller components and dimpling it ready for attachment to the center section bulkheads and seat ribs already completed.


 
Nov 19, 2022     S26 - Center section lower skin assembly - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Deburred and primed one side of the center section lower skin and the two extensions that for the base of the cockpit, tomorrow will scuff, deburr and prime the other side.
 
Nov 18, 2022     Import tax - Back ordered fuel pump Category: Expenditure
Hopefully the last of the back ordered parts, an extra $51 for each item sent individually on top of tax on its NZD value.
 
Nov 18, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Attached the center bulkhead to the seat ribs then fitted the completed idler bracket assembly to the bulkhead.


 
Nov 17, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Last pair of baggage area ribs with seat belt attachment brackets.


 
Nov 16, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Completed first pair of baggage area ribs that also carry the seatbelt attachment brackets, second pair to be finished tomorrow.


 
Nov 14, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Doublers being cleaned up for baggage area ribs, now working on the pair that hold the seatbelt attachment lugs


 
Nov 13, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Clecoed then bolted the seat ribs to the main bulkhead, then rivetted then permantly in place, the bolts and nuts tightened but not torqued up yet, the aft bulkhead is only clecoed in place to hold the ribs and prevent them being damaged when I move the structure around. Next step is to move on and prepare all the baggage area ribs before much further assembly will take place


 
Nov 12, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Final two seat ribs deburred and primed, nutplates attached, the outermost ones which will need to be fluted to fit the center section lower skin, this has had vinyl removed ready to be scuffed and primed before the rest of the work that is done on it gets underway.


 
Nov 10, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Machine countersinked both fuselage longerons, primed and installed, dimpled the lower aft fuselage skin, small curved section and attached to aftmost bulkhead ready to rivet and fit onto rear fuselage one left side skin is prepped and installed, then can rivet it all together.


 
Nov 09, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Completed dimpling of right side fuselage side skin and installed onto fuselage with cleco's and stiffeners. Need to machine countersink the longeron before that can be fitted and the skin rivetted into place permanently.


 
Nov 08, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1 hour) Category: Aft Fuselage
Mostly dimpled the right side skin, lots and lots of holes to do.
 
Nov 06, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Beburred and primed the right side aft fuselage skin ready to be dimpled, also finished priming the lower fuselage end skin so it can be dimpled and rear most bulkhead attached. In case anyone is wondering, yes I am working on the center section and rear fuselage at the same time, building components and prepping parts for each.


 
Nov 05, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Only two more to go after this, the left and right inboard seat ribs deburred, assembled and primed.


 
Nov 03, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Cleaned up and primed the right side longeron and the tail cone aft skin.


 
Oct 29, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (0.5 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Rivetted in the nutplates then assembled the crotch strap cabin floor ribs, already primed, the new squeezer makes it loads easier for small nutplate rivets.


 
Oct 28, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
Preparing four more of the seat ribs these are paired and crotch strap plates are rivetted between them, all ready to attach the nutplates then rivet all the parts together.


 
Oct 24, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Final rivetting of the skin to the stiffners, bellcrank ribs and bottom of bulkheads, mostly went well except for end of one session when bucking bar slipped so have maybe a dozen rivets out of 150+ to drill out and redo.


 
Oct 22, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Finished dimpling and priming the bottom skin and clecoed the j-stiffeners and frames into place with the structure inverted (most of the time) on sawhorses. Have now started the rivetting, stiffeners first, then frames, then bellcrank ribs.


 
Oct 21, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Completed deburring, priming and dimpling the aft fuselage bottom skin, can now begin assembly.


 
Oct 17, 2022     S26 - Cabin and baggage area floor - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
First pair of seat ribs built, deburred, primed and fittings attached. These fit between F1404 and F1405 center section bulkheads, the baggage ribs attach to the back of F1405.


 
Oct 15, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Preparing the side j channels for the aft fuselage and getting the lower fuselag skin ready to be primed, always like to do that before its dimpled, also did a couple of center section parts so that I have lots of things to put paint on if I put a bit too much in my spray gun.


 
Oct 13, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Deburred and partially primed the last of the rear fuselage bulkheads and final rivetted the last one, nearly ready to dimple and prime the lower skin and then assembly can begin.


 
Oct 11, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Completed the forward bulkhead, attaching all the nutplates then bellcrank ribs, deburred and started priming the second to last aft fuselage bulkhead


 
Oct 09, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Completed the bellcrank ribs and prepared further parts, photo shows the belklcrank ribs temporarily attached to the forward most bulkhead, getting close to beginning the assembly of the tailcone.


 
Oct 08, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads & parts - (1 hour) Category: Aft Fuselage
This is turning into a bit of a slog, quite a lot of parts to be cleaned up and slightly modified, then deburred and primed before assembly begins of the tail cone, but I've been reading ahead to fully understand the process and getting close to starting the trial fit/ assembly process. The extra clecos I ordered arrived today and I hope the back ordered parts actually get delivered in the next few days, held up by NZ customs.
 
Oct 07, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Completed rivets on third bulkhead and deburred and primed the bellcrank ribs/ battery angle parts prior to further assembly


 
Oct 05, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads - (1 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Completed the second bulkhead and prepared parts for the forward stabiliser attachment bulkhead, nice to get a good run rivetting, 30 rivets and none needed to be redone.


 
Oct 03, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads - (2 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Completed the rear bulkhead rivetting and started on the stabiliser attachment bracket.


 
Oct 02, 2022     S10 - Aft Fuselage bulkheads - (1.5 hours)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Final drilling and alignment of vertical stabiliser attachment points on aft bulkhead, fitting of tail tie down, ready to rivet the two bulkhead parts to make a single doubled up structure.


 
Oct 01, 2022     Additional tools & Clecos Category: Tools
Double offset rivet set, 150 extra cleco's from Vans shipped with back ordered wing and fuselage parts and some extra #40 drills as I did n't have any spares if one broke.
 
Oct 01, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Reaming of the spar attachment holes and dummy assembly of the cabin area to determine how big the new worktable needs to be.


 
Sep 30, 2022     Primer - Rattle can x 10 Category: Expenditure
Not entirely sure how many I have gone through but would be at least this many so far.
 
Sep 30, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Completed the bulkhead by reaming out spar attachment holes on bulkhead bar, these are on temporarily fitted at this stage, permantently attached later in build, touched up the primer.
 
Sep 29, 2022     S25 - F1405 Bulkhead, center section - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Final rivets in side channels to bulkhead and double flush rivetted the spar attachment supports, setting up my drill press to ream the holes to attach the bars to the completed bulkhead.
 
Sep 26, 2022     S25 - F1405 Bulkhead, center section - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Rivetting of doublers and side channels to bulkhead, about 75% complete, need to clearly understand whats required around the rear spar attachment brackets


 
Sep 23, 2022     S25 - F1405 Bulkhead, center section - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Deburring and priming the parts, a lot less complex than the forward bulkhead, have dry assembled it with cleco's ready to begin rivetting the doublers and side channels on the weekend, will add a photo tomorrow.


 
Sep 21, 2022     S25 - F1405 Bulkhead, center section - (1.5 hours) Category: Fuselage
Preparing parts including deburring of bulkhead parts plus cleanup of rear spar attachment brackets.
 
Sep 18, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1.5 hours) Category: Fuselage
Completed the rivetting of the cover ribs and bearing brace assembly then torqued up all the bolts holding the cover ribs in place.
 
Sep 14, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fuselage
All the preassembly work done on the forward center section bulkhead, happy how it all fits together but caught myself before I made any mistakes but it was a close thing, if in doubt read the instructions again, twice...


 
Sep 12, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Fitting nutplates and bearing bracket assembly to the cover ribs, quite a pain and will need to replace first three rivets but worked out a better approach, hand squeeze first then use rivet gun to finish setting the rivet.
 
Sep 07, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Working on dry assembling the cover ribs and final parts preparation, complex structure but after reading instructions about ten times understand sequence, I think...


 
Sep 05, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Rivetted the side angles to the center section spar, quite a lot of rivets on each one.
 
Sep 04, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Countersink holes in bottom flange and deburred and primed the side angle brackets ready to rivet in place.
 
Sep 03, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Fitted the nut plates to the top flange of the bulkhead after countersinking the rivet holes, further work on the bearing bracket getting it ready to install.


 
Sep 01, 2022     S25 - F1403 Forward center section bulkhead - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Parts preparation and pre-assembly, deburring and some nutplate installations, finding instructions a bit vague
 
Aug 30, 2022     S25 - F1404 center section - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Assembled and double flush rivetted the bearing bracket assemblies that attach to the forward bulkhead, part of control system? Has to slightly trim the rivets to get both sides flush as required.


 
Aug 29, 2022     S25 - F1404 center section - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage
Completed F1404, first of three center section bulkheads, gives you a good idea of width of cockpit as this is the aft side of the main wing spar attachment point.


 
Aug 28, 2022     S25 - F1404 center section - (.5 hour) Category: Fuselage
Countersunk the rivet holes where skin is fitted later, finished priming the side brackets ready to rivet in place to complete the bulkhead
 
Aug 25, 2022     S25 - F1404 center section - (1.5 hours) Category: Fuselage
Building the first of three center section components F1404 & F1403 are either side of the main spar and are partially preassembled by Vans, cleaned up and deburred the two parts ready to rivet in place and fitted the first of many nutplates.
 
Aug 22, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed assembly of stabiliser, riveted along both sides of spar flange starting from the center and working out, left then right side, not actually specified in the plans but made sense. I know the vertical stabiliser doesn't exactly go there but couldn't resist, it gives me a good idea just how big the plane will be.


 
Aug 21, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (1 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Rivetted the spar to the ribs, 24 down 382 to go to completion.
 
Aug 21, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Replaced the last few skin rivets I wasn't too happy with and have now fitted the rear spar which is clecoed in ready to rivet in place, A bit over 400 rivets and I will have a complete horizontal stabiliser.


 
Aug 18, 2022     Kit Inventory - Fuselage - (2 hours) Category: Other
Finally done, more or less, just two parts plus a few fasteners missing
 
Aug 01, 2022     EAA Membership Category: Other
Worth every cent for access to this builders log and webinars
 
Jul 31, 2022     Kit Inventory - Fuselage - (2 hours) Category: Fuselage
Working through final hardware and identifying shortages
 
Jul 30, 2022     Kit Inventory - Fuselage - (2 hours) Category: Fuselage
Rivets, nutplates etc, lots of different hardware to check
 
Jul 28, 2022     Kit Inventory - Fuselage - (1 hour) Category: Fuselage
Last few subkits to work through, only two parts missing so far.
 
Jul 17, 2022     Kit Inventory - Fuselage - (1.5 hours) Category: Fuselage
Crate mostly empty but loads of sub kits to work through.
 
Jul 11, 2022     Kit Inventory - Wings - (2 hours) Category: Wings
Just about done, small small bags of parts to check then figure out how to store it to make it easy to find parts when I need them, will now start on Fuselage.
 
Jul 11, 2022     Kit Inventory - Wings - (2 hours) Category: Wings
Making progress
 
Jul 09, 2022     Kit Inventory - Wings - (2.5 hours) Category: Wings
Working through the two crates, most of the larger parts checked off and retruned to the crate. Still have to do all the hardware and smaller parts.
 
Jun 15, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (.5 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
After inspection we identified a number of rivets that needed to be drilled out and renewed before the rear spar is permantly fitted, finally got started on that with wing and fuselage kits now due in a couple of weeks. I've identified about a dozen rivets in total still be be replaced.
 
Jun 09, 2022     Shipping - Wing and Fuselage Category: Expenditure
Shipping cost $3,509.28 with $4,107.98 import tax for a total of $7,617.26 for both wing and fuselage kits. We don't pay any extra tarif but are charged GST on the landed value of what we import. 20/10/22 found out that items on back order were not taxed when main shipment arrived, additional $986.78 in duty paid.
 
Jun 02, 2022     Workshop reorganisation - (1 hour) Category: Workshop
Wing and fuselage kits should be on a ship coming across the Pacific, due into Auckland on the 24th, awaiting arrival with enthusiasm, been too busy with other work to complete the horizontal stabiliser.
 
Apr 28, 2022     Parts preparation, Aft Fuselage - (0.75 hour)       Category: Aft Fuselage
Deburred and straightened the horizontal stabiliser attachment bars that fit onto second bulkhead, quite rough, now ready to prime.


 
Apr 02, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Drilled out and replaced some of the rivets on the skin, they were protruding too much plus a couple had been over driven. The rear spar has now been machine countersunk ready to be installed once I'm happy to close up the structure. Will probably spend another hour or so checking alll the rivets.


 
Mar 30, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (0.75 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Almost done on the upper surface of the horizontal stabiliser, close to an inspection by my engineer friend before I fit the rear spar.
 
Mar 24, 2022     SAA NZ (Membership) Category: Expenditure
2022-23 Membership renewal
 
Mar 20, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed port side upper skin rivetting and started the starboard side skin to spar rivets.


 
Mar 19, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Rivetting the upper skin surface to spar and ribs, 80% done


 
Mar 18, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (.5 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Started rivetting the upper surface to the main spar of the horizontal stabiliser.
 
Feb 25, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (0.5 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed the rivetting of the lower horizontal stabiliser skins, looking good and getting faster, still need to be careful as rushed a couple and they had to be drilled out and replaced.


 
Feb 23, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Rivetted the skin to the ribs and stringers on lower port side and have started rivetting the skin to the starboard lower main spar. Have decided to do underside of tail plane first then flip it over and do upper surface.


 
Feb 23, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (1.5 hours) Category: HStab +Elevators
Started riveting the skin starting at the forward spar and have done the lower side of the port stabiliser plus a few rivets that could be put in to improve access. I will get a bit faster with more practise but also need to go slow enough to avoid silly mistakes, I am using larger AD4 rivets down the spar because of my earlier mistake final drilling and enlarging holes incorrectly, read instructions, read again, if unsure, read again. Sometimes though there are things missing, I clecoed the skins to the spar and ribs, looked nice then had to take half of them out as I couldn't get my pop rivetter onto the heads of the spar to nose rib rivets. I will get my work checked soon before closing it up, I'm fairly happy with most of the rivets and have replaced a few as I thought necessary.
 
Feb 21, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (.5 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Fitted the forward spar and rib/ stringer assembly to the port and starboard stabiliser skins, next need to rivet spar to nose ribs then can begine riveting the skins to the spars and ribs. I would like to get Chris Schadler to take a look at it before I continue.
 
Feb 20, 2022     Final payment - Fuselage Category: Expenditure
Origonal order of $19,990 USD split and some confusion as to final amount. To date $14.825.17 paid leaving balance of $5164.87, sent additional $20 for fees.
 
Feb 20, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Parts preparation - (1.5 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed the dimpling process for the the ribs, machine countersunk the spars (for the larger #40 AD4 rivets) and stringers with the #30 size in the design then made sure everything was full primed. Now ready to fit to the skins and rivet it all together.


 
Feb 18, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Parts preparation - (.5 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Dimpling ribs and priming internal structure ready to be fitted to newly rivetted nose ribs, a few few more dimples and some primer plus countersinking the spar caps and stringers to go.
 
Feb 16, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Rivetted the nose ribs to port and starboard skins, what a monumental pain, the ones closest to the top were ok but the front two for the middle nose ribs were very hard, even tilted over it was hard to hold the bucking bar straight, quite a few took several attempts and the gun slipped a few times but no major damage to the skins.


 
Feb 15, 2022     Payment - Wing kit & crating Category: Expenditure
Wings are about to be crated when Vans receives payment, sent by wire transfer 16th Feb, awaiting confirmation of crating date.
 
Feb 09, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Final Assembly - (.5 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Put in the easier of the nose rib rivets which involved a little contortion but only the first one had to be replaced. My little stabiliser holding modification worked well to improve visibility of where I was working. Next step is to do the ones close into the leading edge, a little less room to work but should still go OK. The brace is cut at 45 degrees with a couple of scraps of ply and screwed to the cradles. As the aerofoil is symmetrical you can just lift out the assembly and turn it over to work on the other side rivets.


 
Feb 01, 2022     ATS - Additional tools & Clecos Category: Tools
Back rivet set, dimple dies for #6, #8 and #10 screws, assorted oops rivets, a few more packs of clecos.
 
Jan 24, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Pre-assembly - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed dimpling of the two stabiliser skins including the repair of the dimple error. Fitted the nose ribs ready to begin final assembly of the structure.


 
Jan 23, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Parts preparation - (1.5 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Dimpling of port side horizontal stabiliser skin and some of the rivet holes in the starboard side. After the first skin was completed I clecoed the nose ribs into position.


 
Jan 21, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Parts preparation - (1.5 hours) Category: HStab +Elevators
Deburring and priming of stabiliser skins, next step is to dimple ready for assembly to commence
 
Jan 16, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Parts preparation - (.5 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Primed and dimpled nose ribs ready to fit, partly primed the spar/ rib structure and dimpled some of the ribs.
 
Jan 15, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Parts preparation - (1 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Final drilled the last of the holes that needed upsizing on the skins, carefully identified and marked the holes that will not be dimpled then dissassembled the structure for durring and priming.
 
Jan 15, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Parts preparation - (.5 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Final/ match drilled the oversize holes in the lower skins of the horizontal stabiliser for AD4 rivets, will do the other side tomorrow then pull the assembly apart for deburring, priming and dimpling.
 
Jan 14, 2022     Horizontal Stabilizer - Pre-assembly - (1 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Removed the remainder of the vinyl down the rivet lines on both skins and double checked that everything fits ok, I upsized in error some holes in the spar caps to #30 but considered do a mix of AD3 & AD4 rivets down the spar but have now decided thats a dumb idea so will match drill all the holes in the spar and skin to #30, I've reclecoed the skins to the ribs and spars and will now match drill all the #30 holes so skin and spar are same size, once both sides done the skins can come off to be deburred, dimpled and primed.
 
Jan 12, 2022     Assembly, Horizontal Stabilizer - (1.5 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Temporarily assembled the horizontal stabiliser, attaching the nose ribs and internal structure to skins so I can verify which holes need to be upsized and dimpled for the larger rivets. Very impressed by the way it all fits together, once the first few clecos were in, all the rest went in very easily and it sits on the bench with about half the clecos. Started removing the vinyl around the rivets so the outside of the skin can be deburred and primed prior to dimpling.


 
Jan 04, 2022     Rudder, parts preparation - (0.5 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Last two pairs of stiffners trimed, deburred and primed, first work in some months but wing and fuselage kits now not likely to arrive until May.
 
Nov 25, 2021     Part payment - Wings & Fuselage 3,000 USD Category: Expenditure
Current balance around $11,900 USD to be paid before order crated, will ask Vans about date, lead times now out to 10 months for wing and fuselage kits.
 
Oct 06, 2021     Assembly Rudder skeleton - (0.5 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Two more pairs of rudder skin stiffners cleaned up and primed ready for pre-assembly, first work on the aircraft for a while.


 
Sep 21, 2021     Assembly Rudder skeleton - (0.5 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Cleaned up and prepared plus primed several more shear clip and rudder skin stiffners, temporarily attached to the rear spar.


 
Sep 20, 2021     Further payment - Wing & fuselage kits ($2,500 USD) Category: Expenditure
Using xe.com, sent $250.00 test in USD on 16th Sept, followed by further $2,250 on the 20th which took total deposit to $5,000 USD in total
 
Sep 19, 2021     Part payment - Wings & Fuselage 2,500 USD Category: Fin & Rudder
Testing wire transfer to pay Vans outstanding balance, xe.com only about 1% cheaper but on what I owe that saves me several hundred dollars.
 
Sep 15, 2021     Rudder, parts preparation - (0.5 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Trimming and deburring of rudder skin stiffners and shear clips ready for priming
 
Sep 08, 2021     Assembly Rudder skeleton - (0.5 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Further priming of spar, prepared and attached counter balance rib.
 
Sep 05, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Pre-assembly - (1 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Scuffed and primed the inside surface of both the horizontal stabiliser skins, they can then be dimpled and placed in the assembly stand. I made a mistake with some of the rivet holes in the forward spar so some of the rivet holes need to be enlarged and dimpled for #30 AN426AD4 rivets, majority are #40 AN426AD4
 
Sep 01, 2021     Assembly Rudder skeleton - (0.5 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Not much time available today as still short of primer but have rivetted the doublers to the rudder spar and attached the lower rib.
 
Aug 31, 2021     Rudder, parts preparation - (1.5 hours) Category: Fin & Rudder
Deburring and final drilling of rudder spar, doubler plates and lower rib ready for priming and initial assembly.
 
Aug 29, 2021     Rudder, parts preparation - (1 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
While I wait for lockdown to lift so I can get some primer I have gone back to preparing the parts for the rudder.
 
Aug 28, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Assembly - (2 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed assembly of the ribs and stringers for the horizontal stabiliser, shown below in its cradle but can't do any more until I get some primer for the interior of the skin which also needs to be dimpled. The nose ribs are only clecoed to the front spar because they are rivetted to the skin then the structure is lowered into place inside the skins which sit in that cradle.


 
Aug 27, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars & ribs - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Began assembly of central stringer and web assembly of the horizontal stabiliser, need to be careful here as the spar caps were drilled one size up by mistake so I need to use larger flush rivets on the skin where it rivets to the forward spar, these will be #30 (1/8th) rather than the #30 (3/32nd) rivets for the majority of the skin rivets.


 
Aug 26, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars & ribs - (1.5 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed the cradles that will hold the horizontal stabilizer during assembly, match drilled the modified inner ribs and primed the flanges ready to dimple.


 
Aug 25, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars & ribs - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed deburring of the horizontal stabiliser ribs


 
Aug 23, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars & ribs - (1 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Deburring nose and intermediate ribs in preparation for trial assembly. Quite a few too do.
 
Aug 22, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars & ribs - (1.5 hours) Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed rivetting of the spar caps to the forward spar of the horizontal stabilizer, then made the patterns for the stabilizer construction support and started deburring the first of the nose ribs.
 
Aug 19, 2021     Aircraft Tool Supply - Additional tools & clecos Category: Tools
 
Aug 18, 2021     Vert Stabilizer, Final Assembly, Completed - (1 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Rivetted the rear spar to the fin after double checking the rivets inside, combination of rivet gun and hand squeezer plus first three pop rivets. The fibreglass tip will be trimmed and fitted once the rudder is built.


 
Aug 14, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars - (1.5 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Completed deburring and cleanup of forward spar doubler and spar caps, have begun final rivetting of the parts.


 
Aug 14, 2021     Forward spar & rib rivets - (0.5 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
After having the forward spar and rib rivets checked it was recommended that they be compressed a little more before I rivet on the rear spar of the fin after which they will be inaccessible.
 
Aug 13, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars - (1 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Final drill forward spar doubler and start preparation to rivet doubler and spar caps to spar.
 
Aug 11, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars - (1.5 hours) Category: HStab +Elevators
Match drilling of the upper and lower forward spar caps, deburring all holes and priming mating surfaces ready to rivet in place, Will be substituting the AD3 flush rivets for AD4 flush rivets to attach skin as holes were drilled one size too large, cleared by Vans.
 
Aug 07, 2021     HS forward Spar web & stringers - (2 hours) Category: HStab +Elevators
Trim stringers and spar caps, debur and position on spar for match drilling. Plenty of reading and rereading instructions so I don't do anything dumb. Fitted and drilled first positioning holes and clecoed in place.
 
Aug 07, 2021     Vert Stabilizer, Final Assembly, Rerivetting - (1 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Drilling out and replacing the rivets I was not too happy with, mostly where shop head was distorted.
 
Aug 06, 2021     Torque wrench - inch pounds Category: Tools
Torque wrench for AN hardware, 40 - 200 inch pound range
 
Aug 04, 2021     Vert Stabilizer, Final Assembly - (1 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Rivetted skin to forward spar of stabilizer and central rib, first use of rivet gun and bucking bar in confined space, a few rivets to be removed and redone in better light.
 
Aug 01, 2021     Rear spar, Horizontal stabilizer - Completion - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Rivetted the four pairs of elevator brackets to the spar and bolleted the central flange bracket, will be torqued later.


 
Jul 30, 2021     Rear spar doubler, rivet to spar - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
36 rivets using my rivet gun for the first time, after first batch I drilled out and replaced two but overall very happy with gun and bucking bar control


 
Jul 29, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars - (1.5 hours) Category: HStab +Elevators
Debur the rear spar of the horizontal stabilizer and doubler so its ready to prime, lots of holes and lightning holes. Its also about 9ft long.
 
Jul 29, 2021     Compresssor & Air tool setup - (1.5 hours) Category: Workshop
Worked out where my compressor would live as a temporary home and pulled out my compressed air tools to test and practise, air driven finger sander, air drill and 3x rivet gun. The gun and air drill were used but work just fine and did a few practise rivets that came out very well, Very easy to control the gun, I probably won't use the air drill, my electric rechareables have been working well so far.
 
Jul 29, 2021     New Bandsaw, assembly & setup       Category: Tools
Bought a new bandsaw, did have one but it was fairly old and not very powerful, this will be used for both woodworking and the aircraft kit. I'm using a 6 TPI blade which is a little brutal for aluminium but is ok if your careful. 8 ot 10 TPI (teeth per inch of blade) is recommended. It came with a stand which I've added wheels to so it can be moved around workshop and put out of the way when not in use.


 
Jul 29, 2021     Rudder, parts preparation - (1 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Used my new bandsaw to seperate the shear clips and rudder skin stiffeners where multiple and paired parts are a single component in the kit.
 
Jul 28, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars - (1 hour) Category: HStab +Elevators
Final drilling all holes for doubler and elevator hinge brackets, countersinking middle two rivets under elevator flange bracket, dissassemble to complete deburring prior to priming.
 
Jul 26, 2021     New Worktable - Modified EAA design - (1 hour) Category: Workshop
Install lower shelves in the bench, now on wheels and make filler section for when dimple frame is not in use.
 
Jul 26, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars - (1 hour)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Final drill, assemble and rivet inboard hing brackets to flange bearing, further deburring of spar, still lots to do before ready to prime.


 
Jul 25, 2021     Horizontal Stabilizer - Spars - (1.5 hours)       Category: HStab +Elevators
Making a start on the rear spar of the tailplane, has double and four elevator attachment brackets plus central attachment. Deburred doubler and preparing to final drill the elevator brackets.


 
Jul 20, 2021     Vert Stabilizer, Final Assembly - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Completed priming the skin and dimpled the holes for flush rivets. Riveted the internal spars and ribs together and reattached the skin to the structure ready for rivetting of the forward spar to the skin.


 
Jul 19, 2021     New Worktable - Modified EAA design - (6 hours)       Category: Workshop
Made my own version of the EAA worktable, slightly thicker timber fram but thinner plywood top, my dimple frame sits in a slot in the middle and now I have the table I can dimple the vert stailizer skin and start its final assembly. I have also added wheels on the corners not shown in the photo so it can be moved around easier as necessary.


 
Jul 15, 2021     rib and spar prining and dimpling - (1 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
I have now primed all the ribs and front spar of the vertical stabilizer, dimpled ready to install the skin. Have not dimpled the holes that will be used to attach the stabilizer fairing and those holes are covered on the skin so no risk of putting in rivets where they are not supposed to be.
 
Jul 09, 2021     Prep, priming & dimpling ribs - (1 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Three of the five ribs now deburred, scuffed, primed and dimpled, working on last rib and forward spar then will start getting skin ready for final assembly.
 
Jul 03, 2021     Vert Stabilizer, Rear Spar, Rudder brackets - (1 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Rivetted the rudder brackets to the rear spar, assembly of this now complete.


 
Jun 30, 2021     Vert Stabilizer, Rear Spar - (1 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
36 universal head AN470-AD4-6 and 12 countersunk AN426AD4-6 rivets installed to fix doubler to the spar. Next step is to attach the steel rudder brackets then onto final prep of the ribs and skin. I need to show this to an engineer to confirm its OK, but overall I'm pretty happy with my first serious rivetting effort.


 
Jun 28, 2021     Vert Stabilizer, Rear Spar - (1 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Final drilled Vert Stabibilizer skin then dimpled the rivet holes on the rear spar flange for skin rivets, completed cleanup, prepped and primed ready to attach the rear spar doubler and rudder hinge brackets.


 
Jun 27, 2021     Vert Stabilizer, Pre-assembly - (1 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Fully assembled vertical stailizer to test fit skin, match drilled holes into ribs, final drilled one side of skin.


 
Jun 25, 2021     VS Preassembly, Spars Ribs & Skin - (1 hour)       Category: Fin & Rudder
Countersinked the rear spar doubler and primed one side that fits up against rear spar, preassembled and final drilled holes for rib and spar rivets, tested fitted the skin, need to slightly straighten the ribs before final driling the skin. I need a bigger assembly table!!!


 
Jun 25, 2021     Rear spar doubler, prep - (1 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Deburred the VS rear spar doubler prior to countersinking and priming. dimpled the rear spar ready to match the countersinking in the doubler
 
Jun 20, 2021     VS Main Spar preassembly - (.5 hour) Category: Fin & Rudder
Final drilled rudder mounting brackets and main spar doubler to #30 for AD4 rivets. Lower rudder bracket is next then can debur and prime.
 
Jun 20, 2021     EAA Membership Category: Expenditure
First six months was a Vans freebie, have renewed for 2021-22
 
Jun 19, 2021     Deposit, Wing & Fuselage order Category: Expenditure
$2,500 USD deposit for wing & fuselage kits, ordered together as Vans is up to 8 months lead time on both kits and it will save quite a bit to ship together, $16 K USD still to pay plus shipping & tax when they get here (Expecting Jan 2022 at earliest).
 
Jun 18, 2021     VS Front spar doubler primed and rivetted - (1.5 hours)       Category: Fin & Rudder
After cleaning up and priming the doubler plate for the vertical stabilizer front spar I dimpled six of the holes then rivetted it in place, one rivet maybe slightly over squeezed, am asking about that. Started pre-assembly of main spar of vertical stabilizer. Final drilled rudder attachment brackets to AN3 (#12 hole).


 
May 22, 2021     Inventory - unpack, check, store - (3 hours)       Category: Other
one part damaged, 3 parts not found, two items on back order.


 
May 14, 2021     Freight - Auckland to Whakatane Category: Expenditure
Tail lift truck to deliver empennage to Whakatane, 100kg
 
May 09, 2021     Shipping - Empennage, USA to NZ Category: Expenditure
Pickup from Vans, sea freight to NZ, extra to Whakatane inc truck with a tail lift
 
May 06, 2021     Shipping & Duty - Empennage Category: Expenditure
GST/ import tax on empennage kit ($4,956 USD) @ 15%
 
Apr 28, 2021     Aircraft Tool Supply - Additional items Category: Tools
Assorted new tools required to start empennage on arrival, aviation snips x 3, deburring tool, fluting pliers, edge scraper.
 
Apr 18, 2021     Tools - Air driven finger sander Category: Tools
Two spare belts, NZ supplier
 
Mar 16, 2021     SAA Membership 2021-22 Category: Expenditure
Annual membership + joining fee, Sport Aviation NZ
 
Mar 15, 2021     Kit Purchase - RV14a empennage Category: Expenditure
$4,985.75 USD, deposit $1,250 USD 21st Feb, balance 6th March. Due to ship early April.
 
Mar 01, 2021     Second hand tools Category: Tools
3x rivetter, dimpling frame, hand riveters and misc tools including shipping from Dunedin.
 


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