Canopy adjustments / Cable tension

I spent way more time today then wanting to in trying to get the canopy to come down fully. As per instructions there was a little interference with the G3X so some adjustments were made in that area. I also noticed that the rear window was interfering with the canopy. I had known this and was going to adjust when placing the rear window, but forgot to do it with the rear window out, so I had to carefully adjust the front portion of the rear window to allow space for the canopy to clear. I also noticed that the left side of the canopy didn't overlap the side skins. I am not sure why, so I had to bend out the canopy skirt slightly. Then after several hours of adjusting here and there I was able to get it to close.  

I then checked and adjusted the cable tension as per instructions. They were tightened to about 40-45 lbs. I will check it again once in the hangar.

Time: 8.5 hrs.

Canopy installed

Lower Cable tension

Upper cable tension

Swivel barrels locked

Load Plane / Canopy reinstall

There was a break from the rain and I had a few extra hands so I figured it would be a good time to get the plane on the trailer in preparation to move to the hangar. I had been renting out my hangar and the tenant notified me today that he has everything cleared out. The plane was loaded onto the trailer and then I backed the trailer back into the shop to keep out of rain. I have a few more things I can do on the plane before moving it to the hangar, but at least now it is closer to being ready.

I also reinstalled the canopy. This took a little longer then expected. the bolts that connect the struts to the canopy were a little difficult to get in due to small space. We installed the canopy and then noticed that it didn't close all the way. I will have to wait until tomorrow to figure out where it may be interfering.

Time: 2.25

Loading Plane

Loading Plane

Loaded on trailer

Rear Window / Interior

With the help of S and N, I was able to get the rear window installed. This took a little time as fuel sealant had to be placed between the window and the turtle skin. The rear window was first placed and ever 4th screw installed, but not tightened. Then electrical tape was placed in preparation for placing fuel sealant. Fuel sealant was placed in the small gap between the window and skin and then the screws and nuts were tightened. This was a messy job but in the end I think it turned out well.

I then worked on some misc. items. The tunnel cover was installed. The anti-abrasion strip was then placed on the mid fuse brace.

I then thought I would get started on installing the interior package. I started with the baggage wall. I test fitted the section and then installed the velcro. Not enough time today to continue so I will have to pick up next time.

Time: 3 hrs.

Installing rear window

Rear window installed

Installed tunnel cover

Anti-abrasion strip

Trying in baggage sidewall carpet

Velcro placed

Repaint Roll Bar

I spent some time today repainting the roll bar. The reason for this is that the paint on the roll bar seemed to be easily removed by masking tape. So I started by removing the paint, sanding the roll bar, and then applying a rustoleum primer and then the rustoleum paint. This took some short work sessions over several hours. My hope is that the different primer will adhere the paint better.  The metal of the roll bar is a different metal than the rest of the plane. Looking back I probably should have had the roll bar powder coated.

Time: 1.25 hrs.

Rollbar primed

Paint step & Fuel vent

Well I have a little time to kill until I pick up the avionics and power plant kits so I decided to do some misc painting and painted the steps and fuel vent line.

The shop was looking pretty messy with tools everywhere, so I did a little shop clean up. We will see if I can keep it a little more straightened up during the rest of the build, but you know how that sometimes goes.

Time: 1 hr.

Painted steps

Painted fuel vent

Clean shop

Tailcone attach

Another big milestone in the build.  With help of S, N, and T we were able to get the tailcone attached. We had to do a little shop shuffle moving things around so we would have room for the tailcone to be attached to the fuselage. We brought the tailcone into position. We had to peel back a little of the blue plastic in order to fit properly. The upper tabs were bent and then the tailcone aligned into place. It took a little maneuvering to get into to go into place properly, but we made it work.  The plans called for just the tailcone without feathers for this process, but since I already had the VS and stabilator installed, I didn't want to remove them.

We clecoed the tailcone and then riveted it along with the corner side skins. T worked on getting the plastic off the tailcone. It is a little tail heavy right now, but starting to really look like a plane.

Time: 3.25 hrs

Moving tail section

Tailcone brought into place

Tailcone brought into place

Peeling back blue plastic

Bending tab

Fuselage

Tailcone

Clecoing tailcone to fuselage

Clecoing tailcone

Clecoing tailcone

Riveting tailcone

Removing plastic

Tailcone attached

Roll bar baggage bulkhead riveted

Spent an hour this morning riveting the roll bar, and baggage bulkhead.  I also riveted the map box.  At this point I am pretty much at a stand still until I pick up the finish kit in December.  I guess I should have ordered it a little earlier, but I didn't think I would make it this far by this point.  I am waiting on installing the tail section until later in the build.

Time: 1 hr.

Roll bar riveted to base

Roll bar brace

Roll bar brace

Baggage bulkead

Map box

Side skins riveted

Guess what came from Fedex today?  My repaired rivet gun.  Sure have missed that thing.  So we went back to work on the side skins.  The rivet gun makes fast work. N, T, & B helped me rivet the side skins.  We were able to get both sides completed in less than 1 hr.

B also got to be the first one to sit in the plane and imagine flying.

Time: 0.75 hrs.

Riveting side skins

B riveting side skins

B, T, & N working on side skins

Left side 

B imagining flying

Panel base / upper FWD fuselage skin

Got a good few hours put in today working on the panel base and panel.  B and N helped me for a bit.  The panel base and canopy ribs were riveted. The oil tank bracket was riveted. Fuel sealant was placed over each rivet of the firewall and at the base of the canopy ribs as per plans.

We then worked on the upper FWD panel skin. The holes were dimpled and permatex sealant was placed on the firewall doubler along the boelube on the skin and then the skin was screwed to the doubler and canopy ribs. I sure hope enough boelube was placed. We will see when we have to remove the skin.

Nutplates were riveted to the panel attach strips and the strips were installed. The panel pieces were then screw in place.  I did have an issue with a couple screws breaking.  It seemed that some of the screws were a little difficult to get in place.  I think when we place the final panels I may need to run a screw in each nutplate beforehand to make sure that go in smoothly.

I am now waiting on the return of my repaired rivet gun (cost a little money to get fixed).  Hopefully it will be here next week and we can work on the side skins.

Time: 4.25 hrs.

Panel base and canopy ribs installed

Oil tank bracket

Oil tank bracket

Fuel sealant at base of left canopy rib

Fuel tank sealant at base of right canopy rib

Upper FWD Fuselage skin dimpled

Installing panel attach strips

Upper FWD skin installed

Panel attach strips installed

Panel installed (this are not the final ones as the final ones will come with avionics kit)