Registration / Placards / G3X / Towbar

REGISTRATION ARRIVED TODAY!!!!  Well, my RV12 is now officially N8697T.  I spent some time today installing some of the placards. I also deemed it time to installed the G3X.  The cowling was then reinstalled. It was a little tricky getting the oil cooler lined up to place the lower cowl but it was accomplished.  I recently received the towbar kit so I spent a short time putting it together.

Time: 2.75 hrs

Installing Placards

Music, 12V outlet placard

Fuel placard

Open canopy placard

G3X installed

Cowling reinstalled

Towbar

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

Regulator / Cowling hinge pins

Finally got back out to the shop to work some on the 12. Replaced the banjo fitting with a fluid fitting as per plans. Torqued to 19 ft lbs. (25 NM).  I modified the grommet and then placed it. The regulator wires were then placed through it, the regulator installed, and the wires connected.

At this point I think it is a good spot to work on the cowling before I add more to the engine. I started by preparing the hinge pins as per plans. I will work on trimming the cowling at a later date.

Time: 1.25 hrs.

Fluid Fitting

Modified grommet

Rectifier regulator

Cowling hinge pins