Post No20

Complete since last post:

• Ailerons sanded/installed with counterbalanced on and cleared. Control linkages from aileron to control sticks are all complete. Aileron stops confirmed complete with full deflection. Routed air and electric through wing from center to Pitot tube 100" out at access panel. Emergency locating transmitter (ELT) bracket design upgrade on stowage panel. Installed Whelen strobe power supply below aft stowage compartment. Maybe last dorsal fin bondo. Elevator/rudder linkage cleared from stabilizer and counterbalance cleared from rudder (sanding). Empannage 2 bolts castlated. Brakes WIP (work in progress), design complete, fab 97% complete. Pitot instl wire run complete. Final sand/bondo dorsal fin. Battery installed in fabricated bracket. Closed wingtip lights.  Cleaned out many items from original kit as 30 years, things have changed, move away from shop. Upper cowling cleared at new fastener locations. Purchased ELT antenna ebay & final brake lines. Installed instrument nuts on steam gages (airspeed, vert a/s, compass..), researched old notes and cleaned shop. New nuts on starter, some baffling on motor. Ordered missing seat belt shoulder straps.

Next:

• In shop: Finish last part of brakes, suppt bkt interface to wheel pants and new nuts. Per inspection, sand more elevator. Measure throttle/mixture/heat cable lengths. Prop/spinner cut/fasten. Finish baffling (pg G107). Install ELT switch on panel. Clean old masking tape off windows. sand flaps lower surfaces. upper cowling (7) locks. Research, bring tailwheel fairing and main gear wheelpants to hangar and start. Headlight system. Complete fuel lines fwd & aft firewall, Dynon fuel transducer, oilp pressure and all Dynon probes. Order transponder from spruce, attach new ELT antenna. Create path for Empannage systems (connect static port air, light power supply, radio antenna, transponder antenna). Finish electrical connectors at wingtip lights, pitot probe & bus bar under seats. Location and mounting of A/P servos.
• outside shop: Contact FAA for tail#'s again (lapsed timeframe for original number). If a reader has a good tail number for me, let me know! Research Remote fwd camera. Design & research HID headlight. Research windshield defroster (pg 522), removable glare shield (pg 333). Ask on forum regarding cheap but good headlight.

Decisions:

• Lower rudder hinge safety wire? Terry regarding wingtip electrical connector question.

After wing installed:

• Rudder pedal stops, complete linkage between wing and rudder pedals, elevator trim system, and flap stop adjustments. Calibrate and multi-configure Dynon system (zero system, inclination and magnetic intensity). Flap clearance, Seat bulkhead then door locks. Contact FAA inspector for review.

Well, Last post was a week ago. I guess Friday nights are the slowest so I can take time to write and get organized for the next stretch of work on the Glasair. It's really starting to look more like an airplane. We've had a week of snow and a cold spell to keep most people off the roads and even away from work. I've been virtual at Boeing a bit, but still managed to work on the plane last weekend and a four days this week, finishing sometimes late. Power may go out as I'm writing tonight.

Arlington airport is getting some attention airport but nothing new. I've got the control stick in place and completely hooked up to the ailerons, with rubber between all the rod ends and may be all attached for the last time before flight! This is some incentive to keep moving.

Smartsheet, a local spreadsheet company not associated with Microsoft has extended my account to let me finish the project. You may be able to find my project file on smartsheet.com . If you have any hints to be more organized, let me know!

I read an article regarding building good and fast and here is a summary:

1. Hit the shop running - Production time is not staring at the project - study outside the shop and research everything.
2. Pre-visualize the work thats needed - have a plan each time you go to the shop to do and complete.
3. Break down the tasks - The way to conquer the feeling of helplessness (yes, it happens often) is to forget that you are building an airplane, and concentrate instead on building airplane "Parts"! Just build the side body panels....forget about how complex the brakes may be. Or, break it down even further....just form a couple of flanges for the panels.

****Any Comments? Let me know, thanks. I can use any help and appreciate the feedback*****