May 18, 2024     Vertical stabilizer - (4 hours)       Category: Empennage

Prepped and assembled the vertical stabilizer. I decided to install a VOR antenna. That made this a bit more difficult with lots of on - off with the skin to get the antenna holes lined up.

Sling also doesn't include the antenna doubler plate in the kit so I had my brother take care of that.

  May 09, 2024     Rudder - (2 hours)       Category: Empennage

Had some help from my Dad on the rudder. It went together quickly but the rudder tip cap is on backorder so I will have to wait to finish it. Moving onto the vertical stabilizer next.

I decided to run the MiniMax Ariel DayLite anti collision light.

  Apr 13, 2024     Horizontal Stabilizer complete - (2 hours)       Category: Empennage

Decided to use epoxy primer from Eastwood for the longer parts and alodine for the smaller parts.

Also found a laundry hanging rack at Walmart which works well for drying and painting.

Ended up buying the Milwaukee rivet gun. It was a needed upgrade. The Harbor Freight river gun nose piece is large and difficult to get into some of the tight spots. It also doesn't have a flat tip which was causing rivets to dome up.

  Apr 04, 2024     Horizontal Stabilizer - (2 hours)       Category: Empennage

Organized the empennage parts and started with the HS. Test fit, removed plastic, and cleaned with simple green.

  Mar 30, 2024     Prep - (3.0 hours)       Category: Empennage

Built EAA tables and rearranged the garage. I made the tables 6 ft long, but if I thought ahead, I would have made them 6.5 ft long. Then I could put the empennage crate under the table to store parts.

Completed parts inventory. Only two parts are on backorder.

  Mar 10, 2024     Empennage arrived       Category: Empennage

First crate has arrived. Going to be a bit before I can get the inventory done as I need to rearrange the garage and make some tables.

  Sep 07, 2023     The Airplane Factory - (1.0 hour)       Category: Research

Great flight with Jean. I sat in the backseat out of curiosity and felt it was comfortable. Roof line is closed but acceptable for me at 6 ft tall.

Plane had plenty of power at takeoff, good speed, and was very comfortable. Fuel consumption around 7 gph and climb rate at 1,000 fpm. I found the Garmin cockpit and Airmaster prop governor intuitive. I'm much more comfortable with stick flight controls vs a yoke afters years of flying helicopters.

My wife enjoyed the sightseeing tour of Torrence and approved my decision to start the build.