Fluting Tank Ribs

I finally finished deburring the tank ribs and now it's time to bend the flanges to 90° and flute them so they will be straight and lay flat against the inside of the tank skins. Here's the stack of ribs (14) and the shop made flange straightener.

Flight Instructor Ratings CFI, CFII, MEI

Today, I got my Flight Instructor Ratings. Below is a cropped copy of my temporary certificate. The hard copy will come in the mail in a couple of weeks. Having past military flight instructor experience allowed me to get three instructor ratings, CFI, CFII (Instrument) and MEI (Multi-Engine) with a test and a records review. The FAA designated examiner was really nice and said he was happy that he could do something for those that served in the military. My Dad went with me and we had a nice dinner at Jason's Deli before meeting the examiner.

I'm not sure if I'll use the ratings but I couldn't pass up the chance to get them for a nominal cost. It's a brand new program that sounds too good to be true which means the FAA will probably be quick to cancel it. They are not cheap to get normally. The cost for all three ratings can easily run to five figures. I could use them to give instruction to family or even for a little part time weekend income. Anywho, I've got them now and I'll decide later what to do with them.

On to the Fuel Tanks

Time to get started on the fuel tanks. The fuel tanks are the inboard leading edges of the wing, just really beafed-up and sealed with all the appropriate lines and vents. Here, I'm test fitting the tank skin to the baffle and the adjacent wing skins. The round hole in the skin is where the fuel cap will go.

RV-12 Field Trip

Here are a few pictures of EAA Chapter 958 at Chuck Woods' hanger looking at his RV-12 progress. He also has a beautiful RV-9A painted in stars and stripes.

Carol and Norm looking at the RV-12 with Chuck's RV-9A in the background. Now that's a good looking paint job! Norm, you've got an RV-7A, an RV-9A and you're building an RV-10. Are you considering an RV-12 now too?

Don and Ed deep in conversation. If you want to hear some really good flying stories and just have an enjoyable conversation, sit with Don and talk about the Waco.

Built Stall Warning

Since I still had Austin home, we built the stall warning assembly. Installation will come while the leading edge ribs are being installed. Was a nice change of pace doing some small intricate work.

Finished Leading Edges and Tank Attach Strips

Wow, Austin and I got a lot of work done today. He finished his last final on Thursday and came home Friday night. Officially a senior in college with a 3.85 GPA in the business school at the University of Texas. Proud Dad! After my EAA 958 meeting this morning, we put in a solid six hours finishing the leading edges including the fuel tank attach strips. Austin was a huge help coming up with innovative ideas to help get it done. It helps that he has good hand-eye coordination and attention to detail so I don't have to watch him drill every hole. Below, he's match drilling an aft leading edge rib flange to the main spar web on the left wing. Got that? There will be a test later.

Crimper & Stripper

Here's my new (used) AMP 59250 Crimper and my new (used) Stripmaster wire stripper. I'm having to get up to speed on electrical as I have to wire the stall warning to finish the leading edge. The crimper is the tool to use for crimping as recommended by 'lectric Bob Nuckolls, author of The AeroElectric Connection. Time to get electroeducated!

Match Drilling and Leading Edges

Finished with match drilling the right wing. I assembled the leading edge and attached it as well. The wing is surprisingly wide (or tall since it's on edge). It will be even bigger with the ailerons and flaps installed.

More Wing Skins Clecoed

This weekend, I got a lot of airplane work done. On the left wing I finished riveting together the rib and spar skeleton while leveling it. I also clecoed (temporarily fastened) six of the eight wing skins. I installed so many clecos that I got a blister on my hand. I just need to cut and match drill the wing walk doublers before putting up the other two skins. Since the airplane, including the wings, are constructed using the semi-monocoque technique, the skins make the wing box really rigid.

Shelby was home for a short while this weekend. She was picking up her cat, Hadley (named after Ernest Hemingway's first wife who loved cats), so I got her to help hold some wing skins until I got them started. She also placed some of the rivets in the tight spots where my big hands get in the way. Thanks, Shelbs!