Much of April was spent on working on the flight controls. More than I really anticipated really. I think I'm pretty close on where things need to be as far as the fluidity of the controls. I did join the rear fuselage and the center fuselage together as part of this process. I was concerned about additional binding that might occur with the addition of the side skins and other twisting that may go on when joining the center fuselage and rear fuselage together, so before I riveted the controls into place I moved everything off the bench with the side skins on. I think I'm in good shape here.
The upgrade brakes/wheels and stainless steel lines arrived during the past few weeks, so I'm ready to get those installed - and looking forward to it. But I'm tidying up loose ends here and there. It took me several passes to get the writing in the rear fuselage just right but I think I've got it set now. Next up I need to finish up is the pitot static line, the comm wiring and ELT wiring so I can close out the rear fuselage.
Also, it's important to note that I plan on engaging and having over the local tech counselor to review my work prior to closing out anything major like the rear fuselage. After all - I only want to do this once!
I also had the first go at fitting the side skins on. They go on quite well and I look forward to riveting them on, but until I have all of the items needing done prior to this I'll endeavor to get as much done as I can before I complete that step.
The project as a whole doesn't "feel" like it's moving as quickly as before - simply because I think the parts I'm working on now are much more nuanced in nature.
With regards to the wing hinge needing to be replaced. I have the part here now. The plan of action going forward is to get the fuselage onto the wheels. I'm using the bench time to complete items like assembling the seats and the throttle quadrant. Once I've got those items done and the bench is cleared off I'll get the wing back up there to remove the skin, fix the hinge and put it back together. Once that is done, the bench can be pushed back against the wall where it normally lives when not building an airplane. This will allow for more room for the plane, now (when it's done) being on wheels with the engine mount on the front end. This will make the overall length too long to fit in the garage without it being at a diagonal position. So that's going to take a bit of doing to finagle this together in the space of time needed to do the nose wheel.
Best laid plans eh? Wish me luck.
The upgrade brakes/wheels and stainless steel lines arrived during the past few weeks, so I'm ready to get those installed - and looking forward to it. But I'm tidying up loose ends here and there. It took me several passes to get the writing in the rear fuselage just right but I think I've got it set now. Next up I need to finish up is the pitot static line, the comm wiring and ELT wiring so I can close out the rear fuselage.
Also, it's important to note that I plan on engaging and having over the local tech counselor to review my work prior to closing out anything major like the rear fuselage. After all - I only want to do this once!
I also had the first go at fitting the side skins on. They go on quite well and I look forward to riveting them on, but until I have all of the items needing done prior to this I'll endeavor to get as much done as I can before I complete that step.
The project as a whole doesn't "feel" like it's moving as quickly as before - simply because I think the parts I'm working on now are much more nuanced in nature.
With regards to the wing hinge needing to be replaced. I have the part here now. The plan of action going forward is to get the fuselage onto the wheels. I'm using the bench time to complete items like assembling the seats and the throttle quadrant. Once I've got those items done and the bench is cleared off I'll get the wing back up there to remove the skin, fix the hinge and put it back together. Once that is done, the bench can be pushed back against the wall where it normally lives when not building an airplane. This will allow for more room for the plane, now (when it's done) being on wheels with the engine mount on the front end. This will make the overall length too long to fit in the garage without it being at a diagonal position. So that's going to take a bit of doing to finagle this together in the space of time needed to do the nose wheel.
Best laid plans eh? Wish me luck.
RSS Feed