Thursday, October 15, 2009

Final Assembly at the Hangar

On Friday, moved all of the needed tools to the hangar and then started final assembly. Attached the vertical stab, and then attached the horizontal stab with the counterweight. Took three trys as we (Renee, Adam and I) bumped the superglued washers out of place two times. Will install the rudder on Saturday and then continue.

Time - 3 hours

On Saturday, finished torquing the VS, HS and then installed the rudder. Installed the trim system. Those pesky washers between the brackets and the bearings were a bit difficult to install. Used a bit of superglue. Installed the bearings in the flaperons. Will have to build to wooden box for the rudder pedal install on Sunday and then continue final assembly.

Time - 5 hours

On Sunday, built the wooden box for the rudder pedal install and then went back to the airport to set the link size for the rudder cables per the plans. Utilized the help of a fellow chapter member to stretch the rudder cables tight and then mark them. Removed the links and brought them back home to drill them, prime them and final paint them using the powdercoat color. They rust!

Time - 3 hours

On Monday, installed the rudder pedal links and then tensioned the HS cables using a tensiometer that I had purchased. Set the tension in the cables per the plans and then spent about 1.5 hours installing the safety clips in the turnbuckles. Easier said than done. I am sure glad that I had purchased a few spare clips as I ruined a couple of them trying to get them to seat correctly.

Time - 4 hours

Spent the majority of Tuesday handling the administrative jobs. Took the data plate to the engraver, left the empty weight blank for now as the thing is not painted. Found a label maker for the N Number that will go end up on the tail and found an engraver for the N-number that is required to be placed above the Dynon. Ensure you mark all of the switches that are unused OPTIONS as INOP. Another requirement per the regs.

On Wednesday, John Bender came this morning and we installed the wings for the first time, drilled the torque tubes and adjusted the droop in the flaperon per Section G.2 in the Production Test Procedure.

All control systems now installed!

Sure looks like a plane with the wings installed. And sure is nice to move the stick and flap lever and see all move as it is supposed to.

Going to tow the plane to the FBO maintenance hangar on Thursday morning and have the transponder 24 month check performed. My DAR is REQUIRING the transponder 24 month check prior to airworthiness, as he should.

Still do not have the fuel tank installed. My DAR still has not answered if he wants the fuel tank in or out. The inspection is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Time - 4 hours

Total Time Over the Past Days - 19 hours