Finish Kit Update September 2009 Updates
September 27, 2009
Front Wheel Fairing.... - 5.0 hrs

Today was horrible. I felt like a great day and was making good progress on the front wheel pant. At the start I worked on one of the main gear fairings. I drilled the fiberglass matchhole to the hinge. Deburred. Riveted and used epoxy as I riveted. Came out great.

The front wheel pant was still not fitting quite correctly. I was refitting and trimming for the tire. It was just really tight. I had to stretch the opening to get it to slide over the wheel brackets. I installed the screws to hold everything straight as I marked for more triming. This went thru several on and off sessions going slowly and checking fit.

Then disaster stuck. I was putting in on for hopefully the last time and was pulling the bottom opening to fit it over the bracket and the rear section ripped all along the inside bulkhead area. What a pisser! You can only imagine some of the kind words that were said. Anyway I looked at the part and was trying to decide how I would repair it. The more I messed with it I finally decided to just order another one and start over.

Next I went back to the main gear leg fairing that I had done earlier as the epoxy should be setup by now. I picked it up and it looked beautiful. I turned it edge wise and it looked straight then I turned it endwise and looked down the tube. Its got a twist in it. UN FREAKING REAL. ALL that work going slow and making sure I was keeping it straight. When I started drilling I sat in a chair and as I drilled I guess I didnt realize I was appying side pressure just slightly enough to put a slight twist it it. It is really strong but that twist just will not work. SO the bottom line is no progress today and have to order a hinge, leg fairing and front wheel pant. The only good thing about this is I know I will do it better and faster the second time. Ask how I know!!!!



This website was built to document my work in compliance with the FAA requirements needed to certify my aircraft.
My experiences and comments are by no means to be considered as instructions on how to build any aircraft.