BUILDING THE BAGGAGE DOOR The baggage door is not a complex piece to construct. After all of the metal fabrication and rivets that brought me to this point, this was not supposed to be difficult. A few angles of aluminum bracing, small lock mechanism, front and back skins, done. That… Read More »You think YOU have baggage…
First things first, it feels good to get back out in the garage hangar for a nice long session on the plane. I’ve been itching to get back at the tailcone and start putting the stringers and skins in place. It feels a little odd to look around my shop… Read More »Drilling (and melting) some holes
Lots of action today in a pretty good sized build session, so let’s jump right in. I started by looking back from the very beginning of the elevators section of the manual to make sure that I have accomplished every task along the way since I had jumped around a… Read More »Two steps forward, one step back into tank sealant
I’m not sure why I did, but I put off actually ordering the new parts. I guess somewhere in my mind I wanted it to work out, but I knew that this elevator skin was beyond repair. Anyways, here I am – time to order my new parts. I laid… Read More »Ordering new elevator parts (and tools)
I was off to a great start – back riveting my elevators and soaring through the process when it happened. My back riveting plate slid backward ever so slightly from the vibrations of my rivet gun. All it took was one or two quick hammers from the rivet gun unsupported… Read More »Looks like I get to build ANOTHER elevator
Well, it was bound to happen, but here we are. I am re-ordering my first part from Van’s. I get it – everyone does it, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I will admit that it is a real confidence shaker. I find myself going back over other work… Read More »Horizontal stabilizer and a significant whoops
I thought the primer smelled toxic… wow. This tank sealant stuff is the real deal. It is a cross between fresh asphalt smell, glue, and rancid meat. It is truly one of the most offensive odors I’ve come across (including college roommates). What it lacks in pleasant aroma it more… Read More »Rudder and tank sealant
At long last, I was able to finish my first full part of the plane today. I’d be more excited I think if I didn’t make a mistake. More on that in a bit, but I’ll start with some other points first. I continued to feel pretty confident in my… Read More »Vertical stabilizer – DONE
Confession: the title was misleading. I am going to start with my family trip today that we all took down to Rough River State Park in Kentucky. It was about a 90 minute flight from KUMP, which was perfect. The whole place was really neat with the runway right inside… Read More »Riveting vertical stabilizer (and family trip!)
I have to start by glowing once more about how well the priming turned out. Working with all these primed parts has been so easy and I am glad that I waited to dimple until after the priming. I can now see how everyone says it is more difficult to… Read More »Dimples and first rivets