Brakes, Rudder Stop and Rudder Cable Fairing

I got several small tasks done recently. Here's the disc brakes installed with one of the fairing attachments just resting in place.

 

Here's the rudder fairing complete except for the platenuts.

 

 

And, the rudder stops. I made them 1/4 longer and will trim to fit when I put the rudder back on. The first set I made were exactly to plans which made them about 1/8 too short to stop the rudder from contacting the elevator.

 

Removable Floor Pans & Electrical

I haven't posted in a while but I have been busy. I finished making the floor pans removable. That was quite a job and if you're building and reading this, do it before you finish the fuselage. It's not hard drilling out the pop rivets but there are a lot of nutplates that go through the floor pans and they are a chore to remove.

I've also been working and studying the avionics and electrical systems. I ordered the electrical diagrams from Vans and have been by to visit with a local avionics tech that helps experimentals. He also check my GNS 430W and it works like a champ. That's comforting as I bought it used. It was from a reputable avionics shop that sent it with a 120 day warranty but it was still used.

Here's part of a page from the plans that helps with the electrical routing.

Making Floor Pans Removable

I spent the weekend removing the right side floor pans and installing nutplates so they are removable. It's a popular option and one I didn't make at the time because I didn't know I was going to install a bunch of electronics and antennas. Being removable will give me access to all the room I need for wires and such.

First Avionics Garmin GNS 430W

I received my first panel box last week. It's a used Garmin GNS 430W. My two friends that I trust most with airplane advice said if you're going IFR then go all the way and get an approach certified GPS. One big reason is that the VORs are being decommissioned and that I could use GPS to get into almost anywhere I want to go. This, coupled with my Skyview system, can legally and safely allow me to land when the clouds are as low as 200 feet. Not that I'd want to fly when the weather is that bad. I can see using the IFR part when the weather is just a little low but still not legal for VFR flight. That way, we can file IFR and leave going to a destination that has good weather. Otherwise, we're stuck on the ground until the weather clears.

Engine and Prop Mounted

I got up early and hung the engine and prop. Engine only took me about 2 1/2 hours but 45 minutes of that was grinding tools to get them to fit in tight spaces. This is the same spot where Austin and I installed the motor on the Dart.

 

The prop looks big in the picture. Sure hope I can fit the plane in the garage.

 

 

It fits! I had to move things around and put it at an angle, but there's now room to put the tail on too.

 

Nose Gear Installed

I finished the nose landing gear and wheel last night. Still looking at getting the engine hung in a few days.

Motor Mount & Firewall Forward

Here's the motor mount attached to the firewall. I also finished most of the attachments and prep to the firewall that need to be completed before mounting the motor. I'm planning on mounting the motor this weekend.

This is a dynafocal type 1 engine mount. See how the four rings are pointed inward? They're pointed to the center of gravity of the engine. This helps reduce engine vibration and movement. They're considered the best type of mount but the drawback is they're more difficult to make which makes them more expensive and they're harder to install.

The tube at the bottom of the picture is where the nose landing gear attaches.