So the wings are back home.... in this episode:
- Fuel lines
- Fuel pumps
- Vent lines
- Wiring
- Cable guards
- Aileron stops
The wings came back from the airport, and I laid them down on the jigs. I think the theory is this would be easier to install the wires and lines. It wasn't. But I did complete all the tasks with the wings laying down. The tank install is a must laying down, but everything else would have been easier I think.
The fuel lines were a pain. How to get them from A to B, through ribs, under the strut truss, etc. Shortest possible distance, yet ascetically pleasing. I started with a 50' piece of tubing, and have about 6' left. Lots of waste.
The fuel pump doublers were missing from my kit... I tried to order some and they were missing, so I made them (not hard).
The vent line was the easiest.... however it would have been easier if I hadn't already installed the C channels for the outboard tanks. I placed the vent as high up as possible.
Fuel thanks slid in as they should. However my pre punched root rib had all the locations in the wrong (or slightly wrong) spots. Required fiddling.
The wiring was pretty straight forward. Wiring provisions for:
- Fuel transfer pumps
- Landing / taxi lights
- 3 in 1 tip lights (position, strobe, nav)
- Heated pitot
- Aileron trim
- Spare wires
The wiring is half done as I am missing connectors for the Seal-All plugs. But the wire is all placed, just not dressed it as I would like.
Cable guards fabricated and placed. The cables accidentally crossed after I installed them (or maybe before, I dont know) but after they were installed with cotter pins in place I had to take everything apart again - both sides!
Aileron cable stops finally installed. I started these (per the manual) when I had the wings on, but I cut them wrong and had to start over. Finally finished.
What comes next:
- Cotter pin cable retainer for the lower flap pulley.
- Finish up mounting the cable tie mount points for the wiring in right wing (left already done)
- Rivet fuel transfer pump doubler
- Drill and install nut-plate for wing support (folding wing option)
- Rivet nut plates for inspection ring doublers
- Install pitot
- Rivet top skins (multiple steps)
My plan is to essentially complete the wings now while the jigs are still here. I made the decision to build both wings simultaneously (on 2 jigs), which take up a lot of room in the shop. I dont have room for both the fuselage and both wings / jigs. So the plan will be to finish them completely and then take them to the airport for storage and then bring the fuselage home.
