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Forward Cockpit Structure
Running Total Hours:
0.0
 | 2006.08.xx:
(3.0) Started deburring
parts... |
| 2006.08.19:
(3.0) Made the bend in the F-xxx
and F-xxx sub-panel components. Initial fitting of the sub-panel
components and the F-xxx ribs. |
| 2006.08.21:
(1.5) Making various angle
brackets... |
| 2008.06.26:
(countless) Lots of work in
this area, and various problems and mods. To hit the highlights:
F-745 forward fuselage ribs
The two F-745 forward fuselage ribs that go from the firewall through
the sub-panel and all the way to the instrument panel, end up at the
worst possible place on the instrument panel -- right in the middle of
the pilot's and co-pilot's center of vision, which is where the
primary flight instruments should be. Like other builders before
me, I decided to cut these ribs in half, and move the halves that are
between the sub-panel and instrument panel laterally away from the
pilot's and co-pilot's center lines. In fact, I made another two
of these half-ribs so that I can provide additional support for the
instrument panel if needed. I haven't positioned these yet since
I haven't laid out my instrument panel yet. But most likely
there will be PFD screens at the pilot's and co-pilot's center lines,
and these half-ribs will go on either side of each of those.
C-617 and C-618 canopy hinge blocks
The UHMW blocks that I received form Van's for the C-617 and C-618
canopy hinge blocks are slightly too thick, just enough to make things
not fit. C-617 is supposed to be 0.750" thick, and came
about 0.780". C-618 is supposed to be 0.125" thick,
and came about 0.140". This is not the first time. I
noticed a couple of years ago that the UHMW pieces Van's ships went
from highly accurate and smooth, to grossly inaccurate and
rough. They probably went to a different source to save a
dollar... I already know not to waste my time calling
Van's. Anyway, I was able to machine down the 0.750" pieces
on Vay's mill. But the other pieces were too thin to be able to
do that, so I just bought some 0.125" UHMW stock from McMaster
(which measured exactly 0.125") and fabricated new parts.
Canopy jettison mechanism
There is a canopy jettison mechanism for the tip-up canopy that is
dubious in design, and has never been tested in flight. Like
many builders before me, having low confidence in its functioning, I
will not be implementing this feature in my airplane. I will
however fabricate and fit the components now, in case I change my mind
in the future.
Longeron holes
Another QuickBuild defect. The holes in forward section of the
main longerons, where the longerong connects to the top and side
skins, and the engine mount reinforcements, have already been drilled
by the QB folks. Unfortunately, they are badly misaligned.
This will take some serious massaging to make it work.
Argh... I would have been much better off had they simply not
drilled those holes. |
| 2008.08.17:
(0.0) Now that I've painted
the cockpit, and made provisions for the static air tubing run, Garnet
came over and helped me rivet the canopy decks back on. This
will enable me to continue making progress on the canopy frame. |
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