Post 57 - Radio Issue

Another 7 hours of troubleshooting...RADIO PROBLEM SOLVED! Glasair 88 echo tango was able to communicate with the tower for the first time! Radio, headsets, everything sounded good. One wire from the NAV RS232 connector is unplugged, needs to be traced to the Dynon D180 for the VOR head. I'll do that soon. Had two trips to Crown Aviation for bench test and discussion. Still a little work to do but it shouldn't be difficult. Chasing this issue of 'COM Failure' on NAV/COM display since June.

#56

Cleaning up, fuel system, audio, radio for a few hours.

Today was my last day at work on loan to another organization. I spent a few hours after work on the glasair. I had time during the day to discuss the last fuel vent work with an expert or two. I was concerned that the vents exiting the fuselage in a location where, if an engine fire occured, the vents would try to ignite. The vents are very sturdy and unless they had fuel dribbling out of them, no fire could start. they're also far enough away from the exhaust to be safe. I'm no longer worried about this issue.

Regarding the radio, I tested the antenna's for resistance. Maybe not a problem but trying to solve the "COM Failure" message I've been dealing with on the radio. I've tried a few thing without success so far. Next may try to pull the radio and the wire set in back, and connect separately. I also unplugged the intercom but still the same message. I discussed with Andrey and Terry but no luck so far.

I found some music on my phone and realized I had a chord to plug to the music jack, so got my headsets out and tested. Tears for Fears - Laid So Low was the first to play on the glasair. It sounded good for a radio check. This is the first time I listened through my headsets. I tested both headset systems, both mic's, intercom; it all worked very good!

Fuel System: connected a drain to the header tank via hose to outside of plane and valve (which is temporary for first fuel test coming soon). Tightened all vent tubes and soon will tighten everything, mark and protect. Added a cover to my large instrument panel penetration so nothing can rub now.

Post 55 - More fuel venting

Another few hours connecting hoses, testing parts, designing space, and squeezing in and out of the tight space. A few shots starting at here. really tight area. Next, to torque system closed, mark with inspection putty, protect by providing covers some places, then test fuel system.

Fuel Venting System worked 10/23:
Cut (4) 3.5" aluminum 3/8 fuel tubes from spool and straightened. Cut 45 degree angle, one end sanded/deburred. Cut (4) 3/8 penetrations in lower fuselage aft of firewall. Installed tubes & mill fiberglassed in place. Vent tubes will connect here. Also made internal bracket, fiberglassed inside fuselage for systems. Photo's next log. Exciting to get this part completed as I had to find best location for tubes to go external.

build log 53

Taking credit. Nothing completed tonight was on my list directly but all had to be done. Moved fuel line to reroute electrical and systems. Cut larger hole in instrument panel for system, worked well, clean metal debri. Added a system/electrical bracket under passenger seat. Safety wired fasteners on roll autopilot servo. Reconnected fuel lines in final positions. Ready for fuel venting. More labels on panel and wires.

Build Log 52

Found a good Soundstream VHR-72IRA display screen for my forward camera. Camera will assist in ground view for taxiing and will have a few other purposes. Tested system, installed camera and headlight in lower cowling. Worked on most of the electrical. Photos start here on the photo album. Radio pulled to get it bench tested.

Log 51

A few hours in the plane with Bill Jensen, fabricating three new fuel lines and installing. All looks good and fuel lines complete. Need to be tightened and tied down but lines are finished. See photos starting here on the photos website. Need to finish electrical, torque, mark and clean up before putting fuel in the tank.

LOG #50

Well, first log was Nov 2011. Now I'm up to 50. Celebrate (hoo rah) and keep moving.

Spinner closed & complete. Minor sanding edge of spinner clearance for prop complete. Cleaning & labeling of cockpit/instrument panel. Firewall aft: Started fuel line bending and connectors. Clearance hole complete & cleaned for one more fuel line/header tank. Wires bundled behind instrument panel. Pitot & static air lines hooked to instruments, labelled & complete. Aft panels installed to protect while climbing around in there.

Push to Talk switches & fuel line finish next. Hopefully find COM Error on radio.

Log 49

Prop/Spinner work:
Front Plate. I decide to fabricate from fiberglass instead of aluminum ..easier to cut and I have the plies made already and will mate to the inner fiberglass spinner well - Cut to size, fit check, re-cut, fit check iterate a few more times. Find washers, order/receive bolts with holes in heads for safety wires. Set blade pitch/each propeller blade using inclinometer. Loktite and torque propeller bolts, install front plate and safety wire. Fit check spinner for last time & start final spinner to back plate countersink and screw! A few more photos. See the Sept/October subheadings on the photos.

Also received order of fuel lines, fittings, fire extinguisher and a few fasteners.