The final step before riveting the firewall is to countersink all of the parts that rivet to the back of the firewall (to accept the dimples). This was a simple enough task, just lots of countersinks. I also got started… Read More »Firewall Assembly Countersinking
While waiting for the primer to cure I got back to work on the firewall. I had previously decided to order a new firewall recess and not upsize the holes this time. I’ll plan on making whatever changes I need… Read More »Back to the Firewall
I etched the bottom skins and flap actuator parts to get them ready for priming. I then alodined then antenna doubler plates. This was my first time using alodine. I think it worked? Parts are a light golden color. I… Read More »Mid Fuselage Skins Primed
Before riveting the bottom skins into place I decided to make the brackets for mounting the PH Aviation Flap Actuator. The supplied plans provide drawings for making custom brackets as the actuator is not a drop-in replacement. I generally followed… Read More »PH Aviation Flap Actuator Brackets
Once I completed the antenna holes, I removed the bottom skins for deburring and dimpling. Hannah helped me remove the vinyl along the rivet lines. Lots of holes to deburr. Lots of holes to dimple. I then dimpled the corresponding… Read More »Bottom Skins Ready for Priming
I have decided to mount both com antennas under the rear passenger seats. This is a common location and I have spoken with other builders that have found this location to work very well. An alternative I had considered was… Read More »Communication Antenna Doublers
I worked on the aft fuse bottom skins this evening. These skins had final sized holes (as did all of the ribs) which greatly sped up this task. The only holes to final size were those that corresponded to the… Read More »Aft Fuse Bottom Skins
I finished all of the remaining riveting of the ribs and bulkheads in the aft fuselage. The outboard seat rib subassemblies get riveted first with flush rivets (the side channels overlap this area). The side channels are then riveted into… Read More »Aft Fuselage Ready For Bottom Skins
I continued with riveting the seat ribs today. I decided to go ahead and attach the flap actuator bracket as I should be able to get in there easily enough later. I ordered some aluminum angle to fabricate the custom… Read More »Seat Rib Riveting Continued
We held our first Young Eagles flights since COVID-19 at EAA Chapter 517 (KMSO) this morning. Perfect flying weather and smiles all around. Very rewarding to see kids getting a chance to experience aviation up close. When I got back… Read More »Seat Rib Riveting
