May 15, 2024     Rudder Cables - (5 hours)       Category: Controls

Received the backordred rudder cable assembly fom Sling on the 8th and tried to install it. Unfortunately, the two cable guides that are used to cross over the cables were inverted so the rivet holes wouldn't line up. The second pic is from the manual and the third are my cables from the same angle. The fourth is from the other side. After emailing Sling Technical, they decided to send new guides with slots for the cables. I'm going to cut out the ones currently installed (in a different spot compared to the new ones Sling is sending), then install both on top of each other with some longer rivets. In the mean time, I went ahead and installed the cables and springs. I also spent some time trying to figure out how to adjust the brackets in front of the springs, but I havn't found anything yet. That will hopefull become obvious when it's time to install the rudder.

  May 04, 2024     Back Seats - (6 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Riveted the back seats. One thing to look out for when setting the rivnuts for the Mackie Latch and spacers is that they only fit on one side and in one orientation. I drilled the M4 rivnut holes in the wrong side because I used only the spacers to determine the holes. You have to Cleco the spacer and the backets all together to understand what orientation the spacer brackets go in. Then mark out the holes to verify they're correct before drilling. I had to install a few extras rivnuts in the erroneously drilled holes to keep the plate secure. Then I spent quite a bit of time finding the Dzus grommet set and clamp to install the fasteners. It's on its way from websales@aircraft-tool.com, but I'm not 100% certain that it's the right size.

  May 01, 2024     Back Seats - (4 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Prepared all the parts for the back seats then clecoed them all togehter. Ready to rivet, but I need to research the top holes in the spacer plates because they don't line up with the holes in the seat skin. I'm thinking I'll have to drill them, but want to be sure.

  Apr 29, 2024     Front Seats - (6 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Finished riveting both front seats. The mechanism was a little tight on one of them, but the springs pull it back with a little help. On to the rear seats.

  Apr 27, 2024     Wiring & Front Seats - (6 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Placed the wiring for the GPS antennas, VOR, Comm 1 & 2 and the transponder so that I can see where they'll go before finalizing work on the center fuselage and putting on the side skins. Started on the front seats. Figuring out what order to build this was a challenge. I finally decided to cleco it all together to make sure it doesn't bind then rivet. Glad I did because when I tightened one of the bolts, it was too tight to move freely so I added a couple washers on both sides of the spacer.

  Apr 25, 2024     Autopilot Servos, Wiring Rear Harness - (6 hours)       Category: Fuselage

Received the two GSA-28s from Midwest so I installed those. Fairly straight forward, but took a little inginuity to fit the bottom washers and nuts. I ended up placing a spacer nut in the socket, then the nut I was threading, then used a small dab of PVC cement to hold on the washer. Slid the entire assembly through the access hole and spun it on. Worked like a charm. I torqued those down and began wiring the rear harness. It was a little tricky to fit the final wires up throug the two holes so I removed the grommet then slid them through, then repaplaced the grommet. Also emailed midwest regarding the lengths (I had extra wire) and missing purple clips. They said I can spool it up under the grommets and they'll send me more clips.

  Apr 23, 2024     Strobe Wiring - Empennage Complete - (2 hours)       Category: Empennage

Completed the wiring for the Rudder and fitted the strobe then attached the composite end. The Emennage is now complete!

  Apr 22, 2024     Elevator Tips, Trim Servo Access, Horn - Complete - (7 hours)       Category: Empennage

Dimpled the tip skins and countersunk the tips, installed the counter balance weights and riveted everything into place. Completed the access panel hatch and fitted the trim servo with the anchor nuts after trying a rivnut. The anchor nut is definately the way to go. Then I spent a good bit of time finding the wrenches I needed to reach the Bolts to attach the horn. Torqued those down and finally, I installed the weights. They were very snug so I had to hammer them a little to get them into place. The Elevator is complete (with the exception of filling the rivets which I'll likely do to fill time waiting for parts here in the near future.

  Apr 21, 2024     Elevator Tips - (2 hours)       Category: Empennage

Began working on the elevator tips. They fit fairly well, but one side needed a little sanding to keep from bulging out the skin at the trailing edge. Fit them and match-drilled the holes.

  Apr 20, 2024     Elevator and Trim Tab - (6 hours)       Category: Empennage

Peeled the plastic from the skins and begain clecoing. The trim tab was a little challenging because the hinge was about 6" too long, but I didn't want to cut it until I was sure. The instructions did not say it needed to be cut. Also, the bracket that holds it on the elevator needed to be bent more than I was comfortible with at first. Turns out it bends right into place pretty easily. Lastly, the instructions speak to shortening rivets, but the only ones I needed to shorten were the two at the trailing edge of the control bracket and one on each side of the elevator where the hinge is (it blocks the rivet from going all the way down). When I started riveting, I could feel one of the end rivets on the longer reinforcement bracket was bouncing the rivet back out of the hole. I wasn't sure clear-drilling would work so I pushed it up with a small allen wrench from the rivet hole in the opposite side.