August 19, 2006

Since I seem to be spending a lot more time darting around different areas of the plane these days, I’ve decided to make a general category page called Wrap Up Work. This page will be all the nitty gritty things that need doing, but are too small to put on the page appropriate for the task. It will also give me a sense of getting some of the things needed to be done crossed off the list. Striving for the goal of completion now!

I started things off before even getting to the hangar by calling in at the local signmaker and finding out about ordering some N number vinyl letters. I got an email to send my info for a quote.

I stopped by the electronics store and bought some mate-n-lock connectors. I found out later that I only bought one half of the damn things. Doh! Need to go back!

I also took the EFIS1 to the UPS Store to ship it back for it’s pre-flight check up. Everything’s under way now.

After doing the last of the fibreglass work on the right wing tip, I moved on to wrapping a few things up. I want to start working toward being ready to rivet on this last fuselage skin, so that when the EFIS 1 gets back, I can install it and then start riveting. Gulp! This skin has been off now for so long, I’m a bit nervous to put it on!

First off, I made a battery tray for the secondary battery, but never did get around to riveting the fuselage half of the hinge. So I did that. I also wired the Van’s tachometer. Something else that’s been sitting forever!

I had Rick the local A & P help me out with tightening up the eyeball fittings for the throttle and prop cables. First I needed to borrow another adjustable spanner (crescent wrench) that was big enough for the nut rings. Then he held outside while I turned inside.

I got all the wiring wrapped up and bundled properly so I could put the front cover on the centre console. It was a shame that the control cables for the cabin heat and parking brake have such a long solid part to them. I had to make these holes in the rear cover for them to pass through. Worst of it was taking the cables off the parking brake and heater valve! Threading them through and then getting in there again and reconnecting the things.

Now the cover is on there, all the wires run up inside the console up behind the panel out of sight. It looks nice and neat under there now.

While flying with Mike, I asked about the position of the rudder pedals, and the position of the seat, because I found it to be about right for me. He told me that it was the standard ‘plans’ position with a three inch link rod to the rudder cables. Based on this, I undid our rudder pedals and moved them rearward an inch and a half. This will be better as now I am still comfortable with the seat in it’s furthest rearward position, and Dave will be able to reach them (hopefully) without having to adjust them. We still have the 3 inch standard link, but with the pedals further rearward by a half inch. That means if necessary we can just make some slightly shorter links for Dave. I thing the way it is now though, it should work out well. Doing this ate up a chunk of time today!

Now that’s all done, I could install the centre tunnel cover/heater diffuser. The interior under here is coming together nicely. I also ran a scat tube form the diffuser up through to where the defroster vent will be on the glareshield.

Snakes on a Plane. Groan.

I routed the wire for the remote ELT panel. I can’t fit this permanently yet as we’ll need to get back here for bucking rivets. Not a task I’m looking forward to.

I fitted the EFIS1 card reader to the panel for the final time. I also lost the ball bearing from the stupid park brake cable coz I pulled the wrong cable out while reconnecting the cabin heat and checking it’s operation. Doh! I need to order a BB now from somewhere. See the Hobbs? 1.5 hours of engine time, and everything is sweet!

Tomorrow I’m not going to the hangar. I’m going to do my airworthiness paperwork, and get it sent off. They need a fair bit of time here to process everything, so since I reckon to be about two months out, I should get it all out of the way. In the evening, I’m going round to Mike’s too for a cookout and some hot air ballooning! Hmmm… Maybe I won’t go ballooning as I’m afraid of heights, but I will cook!