Wing lights, Canopy adj., Canopy seal, N#, Start config

It was a good day at the hangar today.  I first started by installing the wing lights and the cover to the landing light.  

I then did some more adjustments on the canopy as I wasn't completely happy with how it closed. I found some more interference on the UL corner of the G3X and did some adjustments to the canopy bar, canopy, and corner of G3X. I also had to make some minor adjustments to the canopy latch handle to allow it to close without to much strain. It seemed to be positioned about 1/8" too high which caused it to angle down when trying to latch. So I position it a little lower to make it more level when latching. I also slightly hammered with a wood block the left side skin (turtle neck) edge to allow the canopy to close better on the left side. At this point I think I am happy with how it closes now.

I also verified the wing gap that is required for the wing seal. The instructions say to not install seal until after paint to I will delay installation of seal for now. There were a few areas that needed some adjustment.

I then tried in the canopy seal retainer. Small adjustments were made on the retainer and then it was primed and painted.

The N#'s were then installed on the vertical stabilizer.

Then onto the next BIG step: Turning on power. I hooked up the ground cable to the battery. I then turned on the master switch. The G3X booted up and the fuel pump was running. I turned off the master and removed the fuel pump fuse. I started going through some of the steps of PAP G1.  I tested the lights. They all work except the Landing light pulse and steady are reversed, so I will have to switch the wiring at the light (should be a simple fix). I then starting installing the config files as per PAP and read.me file. Garmin software version 5.30 was installed and then RV12 base config file R10 and Autopilot R2 was installed.  There is more configuring such as the ADAHRS, Magnetometer, etc., but that has to be done after engine start.  Oh and but the way, the G3X looks awesome! 

Time: 5 hrs.

Left wing light installed

Right wing light installed

Landing light cover

N# placed

G3X first start

Light switches

Tool organizing / Wing adjustments

I spend a few hrs organizing tools in preparation for getting them to the hangar. I had to decide what tools went and which stayed at home in my shop. I then received the vinyl N # placard that I ordered at doityourselflettering.com. It is also where I ordered the vinyl numbers for the tail. 

I then loaded some items into my truck that I wanted to get to the hangar and made sure the trailer was all ready to go. 

I had a few moments and still needed to work on trimming the wings to allow space for the seal. I trimmed and filed the lower edges of each wing while it was in the cradle. The upper edge will be easier to do out of the cradle and on saw horses, so I will do that once the plane and trailer are out of the shop.

Time: 2.5 hrs

N # placard

Loaded and ready for transport

Carpet, Sidewalls, Seats

Today was a fun day installing the interior. I started by installing the shoulder harness and carpeting. Then installed the seat belts. The sidewalls were then installed.  Boots were placed over the flap handle and control sticks. The seats were then put in place.  Of course B and I had to try the seats out. Really starting to look like an airplane now.

Time: 2.5 hrs.

Carpet Installation

Flap boot

Carpet under seats

Sidewalls installed

Arm rest installed

Installing Boots

B and I testing the seats

Interior completed

Aft interior

Fore Interior

Bleed Brakes / ELT / Fuel Tank

Another day and tackling several different aspects of the build, hoping to get it ready to move to the hangar soon.

I started out with the help of N to get the brakes bleed. After doing a little research online and EAA videos I chose to bleed the brakes using an oil can and hand pumping the fluid from the bottom up. This worked out fairly well. It took a little work getting air bubbles to completely resolve through the cylinders, but it was accomplished. Overall it worked out better than I imagined. And no visible leaks found so far.

I then installed the batteries on the ELT remote and audio alert. The remote was then installed in the panel.

The canopy light was installed. The fuel tank was installed along the the neck. The plans called for fuel sealant to be placed between the neck and the turtle skin, so fuel sealant was mixed and placed prior to setting the screw of the fuel neck.

Time: 4 hrs

Bleeding of brakes

Brakes bleed

ELT remote installed

Canopy light installed

Fuel tank installed

Fuel sealant around fuel inlet

Stabilator / Steps / Fuses / Pitot tube

Started today with several misc. items. With the help of S & N I was able to re-attached the stabilator. I then installed the steps and the fuses. The replacement fuses were then placed in a block on the back of the map box door.

I then started section 47 - Spinner & Propeller. The pitot tube was prepared with the pitot block as per plans. This involved making a slight dimple (or drilled indentation) in the pitot tube. The block and pitot tube were then installed. The pitot tubes were then attached with safety wire. I prepared the spinner by trimming and sanding to the time line. The bushing was then placed in the spinner. I used superglue for this step.  The spinner plate and hub mount half was then installed. Bolts were torqued as per specified with the propeller.

Time: 3.5 hrs

Stabilator Re-attached

Step

Fuses placed

Fuse replacements

Pitot Block

Pitot Tube

Pitot Tube attached

Spinner

Spinner Plate and Hub mount Half

Cowl Complete

Completed section 38 today. Started by riveting all the hinges to the cowlings. The cowling were then put in place and edges sanded to fit. Plans call for 1/32 inch gap.The 6 holes in front of the cowling were enlarged and nutplates riveted to the lower cowl. The oil door opening was cut in the upper cowling and the oil door fabricated and riveted into place.There was a slight interference with the door opening so it required a little removal of the upper edge of the door.  The lower close out was then made per plans and nutplates attached.  It is nice to have this section done. Now I can get back to doing engine work. 

Time: 4.5 hrs

Riveting side hinges

Cowls in place

Nutplates attached on lower cowl

Oil Door opening

Oil door set in place

Camlock receptacles

Oil Door attached

Bottom closeout

Upper and Lower cowl finished

Cowl Hinged Drilled

Worked on drilling the cowl hinges.This required making sure the edges of the cowl lined up well and then holes were drilled using the marked previously made on the hinges.

Time: 1 hr.

Cowl hinges drilled

Cowl Hinged drilled.

Cowl fitting

Worked more on the cowl today. Sanded edges of lower cowl and matched the lower and upper cowl. Holes were drilled in front of cowl as per plans. The lower cowl was then put in place and holes drilled and clecoed as per plans. The side hinges were drilled. The upper cowl then fit in place.
Time: 4hrs.

Cowl Fitting

Lower Cowl placed

Side hinged drilled

Top cowl fitting

Cowling trim / hinges

It is a little harder getting out to the shop as it is cold outside. Luckily I have a heater in the shop so I can warm it up some, but it does take some time. I try to find work sessions that will last more than a few minutes to warrant warming up the shop.

I worked on the hinge halves that will go to the cowling. They were cut and marks were placed for future drilling. The eyelets on the curves were beveled.  I installed the hinge halves with hinge pins and fluted around the curve.

I think worked on trimming the cowling to the scribe line. The upper one was trimmed with dremel and then hand sanded to the line. The lower was trimmed with the dremel but will have to wait until next time to get it sanded to the scribe line. Not my favorite part of the project but doable.

Time: 2.5 hrs.

Cowling hinges

Cowling trimmed