Category: Bottom Wing Skins (Section 20)

Bottom Skins Complete

Received the new quick-disconnect terminals and replaced the bad ones. Then I final-installed the pitot tube into the wing and hooked up the plumbing and the electrical. Had to uninstall and reinstall the aileron push tube so that I could get my hands in there.

 

Reinstalled and torqued the aileron push tube in the right wing and installed the aileron trim. Getting those springs on is tricky. I also took the time to bend the actuator arm aft a bit. I just saw a picture on VAF where someone’s springs had almost worn completely through the push tube. Plenty of clearance now. No rubbing.

 

Riveted the nut plates for the right wing inboard fairings and inspections plates.

 

Almost done! Just the wingtips left to do.

 

Today’s Time (hours): 2.0
Wing Time (hours): 285.0
Total Time (hours): 437.0

 

Finished riveting the bottom left skins

Finished riveting the forward half of the outboard left skin.

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Riveted the nut plates to the inboard bottom skin and the inspection ports.

 

Installed the pitot mast, pitot tube, and pitot heat control box.

 

Two of the crimp-on quick disconnect terminals on the pitot tube were not properly crimped by Garmin and pulled off when I went to connect them. Disappointing! Unfortunately I had already put in an Aircraft Spruce order this weekend. I’ll wait until I have more stuff to order and get some new connectors.

 

Reinstalled the aileron push tube and torqued the fasteners.

 

Reinstalled the flaps.

 

Today’s Time (hours): 5.0
Wing Time (hours): 280.0
Total Time (hours): 432.0

 

Started riveting the bottom skins

The rest of my avionics order showed up this morning. I also received the GMU 22 mounting kit from Van’s. Apparently they don’t make one for the GMU 11 (which is what I bought). So I took a chance and ordered the one for the GMU 22 thinking I could cannibalize it and create something for the GMU 11. As it turns out, all I needed to do was to match drill four holes to the base of the GMU 11. So I drilled the holes, cut the top half of the mount per the plans, deburred and primed everything, riveted it together, and screwed on the GMU 11. Bayum!

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Remy helped me rivet the inboard bottom skin to the right wing. It was challenging to reach the rivets along the aft spar. Remy and I took turns bucking and shooting. Nonetheless, tomorrow will definitely be an Advil day.  I clecoed the outboard skin in place. That can be tomorrow’s challenge.

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Today’s Time (hours): 3.0
Wing Time (hours): 270.0
Total Time (hours): 422.0

 

Cut pitot and added connectors

Just got back from Oshkosh this afternoon. And couldn’t resist heading down to the shop to get something done. Amazing trip with up and back with Jared in his RV-14. Got to meet up with Wes and Joy and met Craig and his son. This was my first time at AirVenture. It was simply amazing but I’m exhausted. I think we averaged 7 or 8 miles walking each day. The airshows were amazing. Especially the night show. Best fireworks and pyrotechnics I’ve ever seen.

 

 

 

I cut the aluminum tubes from the pitot tube assembly using a tubing cutter so that they would clear the aileron push tube when installed in the wing. I added the AN hardware, flared the tubes, and screwed on the adapters. Then screwed the push-to-connect elbows on to the NPT side of the adapters with a bit of Loctite thread sealer. All ready to install.

 

 

 

Today’s Time (hours): 1.0
Wing Time (hours): 267.0
Total Time (hours): 419.0

 

Fitted the aileron trim and inboard bottom skins

I finished inventorying and stowing parts from the fuselage kit and avionics.

Crimped the pins onto the aileron trim wires, added a heat shrink tube, and inserted them into the molex connector.

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I centered the set the aileron trim using a 9-volt battery to drive the servo. I set the  assembly in place on the wing and set the aileron to the neutral position. Then I marked the point where the aileron trim arm rested over the  push tube. I remove the push tube and located the tabs 6 inches either side of the center mark. I match drilled and blind riveted them to the push tube. I attached the springs to the tabs.

 

I clecoed the inboard bottom skins in place on the wings. Ready to rivet.

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Today’s Time (hours): 4.0
Wing Time (hours): 264.0
Total Time (hours): 416.0

 

Primed all the remaining wing parts

Drilled holes for and installed angle of attack sensor tubing. Also ran wires for pitot heat.

 

Drilled the rivet holes for all the aileron push tube ends and prepared all the parts for priming.

 

Primed all the remaining wing parts.

 

Installed the aileron and flap gap fairings.

 

Assembled the ADAHRS mounting bracket.

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Today’s Time (hours): 7.0
Wing Time (hours): 249.0
Total Time (hours): 401.0

 

Pitot mast fit and all remaining wing parts prepped for primer and assembly

Cut, deburred, dimpled, and scuffed all the remaining wing parts to prep for priming. This included the aileron trim, the aileron push tubes, the inspection covers, and the wing tip ribs.

Fabricated a bracket to secure the pitot mounting bracket to the wing rib.Drilled the holes in the mounting bracket to match the holes in the rib. Then match drilled the new rib bracket to the mounting bracket and the rib. Match drilled everything to the skin and cut out the hole for the pitot mast using 1/2″ drill, Dremel, files, and sand paper. Pleased with how everything came out. Should be nice and secure once everything is riveted together.

 

Dimpled and scuffed the skins. Everything is ready for primer and assembly.

 

Ordered avionics and hoping to get the A/P servo, pitot tube, and magnetometer installed before closing up the wings. I also ordered tubing for the AOA line and wire for the pitot heat. Hopefully I’ll have everything and be able to get the wings buttoned up next week.

Today’s Time (hours): 6.0
Wing Time (hours): 239.0
Total Time (hours): 391.0

 

Started work on the bottom skins

After the mess of the fuel tanks, I took the time to clean up the shop, replace the paper on the bench tops, and vacuum the floor.

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Fabricated the flap gap doublers. Dimpled the flap and aileron gap fairings. Peeled and scuffed the forward facing side of the fairings.

 

Clecoed the ADAHRS mount together and match drilled to the j-channel stiffener. Disassembled, dimpled, and prepped all the parts. Countersunk and fluted the retainers.

 

Clecoed the inboard bottom skins to the wing assemblies. Match drilled the nut plate holes to the inboard ribs. Final drilled and deburred all the #19 holes in all the bottom skins.

 

Today’s Time (hours): 4.0
Wing Time (hours): 233.0
Total Time (hours): 385.0