Update!

Posting an update... the last few weeks have been a blur.

A very large (if not the largest) number of E-AB issues on first flight are fuel related.  Specifically modifications to the fuel system, which I have done with the addition of the header tank and vents.

A good friend and mentor is going to come along for the first flight.  He has done many first flights, mainly in RV's.  He has a wealth of experience, is a good friend, and a wonderful person.  He mentioned this stat... his concern (and mine) are the header tank vents.  Specifically how they are all tied together under each wing tip.

His recommendation was to get a couple shop vac's on 'blow' and hold them up against the vents to verify the header stays full.  Ran this by a couple of my fellow UL builders, and the recommendation was to use leaf blowers instead as they have higher wind speed.

So this took me down an interesting side road.  How fast do leaf blowers 'blow'?  Google said between 150 and 200 MPH.  OK, that would work.  Purchased an anemometer from Vevor that would do 101 MPH.

I have a plug in electric leaf blower that was my Dad's in the hangar.  Let's start there... 81 MPH.  Huh.. .that is not enough.  A neighbour had a Ryobi cordless one... let's try that.  Slightly better... 83 MPH.  Not going to work...

I thought I could print some nozzles that would increase the air speed.  Designed one and printed it... EPIC FAIL.  It actually slowed the air down.  Found one online for the Ryobi and it wouldnt fit... was a good 1/4" out.  There are a lot of different models of Ryobi leaf blowers apparently.

Next was to grab my Stihl cordless from the house.  100 MPH!  OK, now we are talking.  

Another friend had a Stihl gas powered.... well it put the anemometer into overload.

Couple ladders to rest them on and two willing victims to hold them...

The 2/3rds header tank alarm never went off.  Ran at 10 GPH for 10 minutes.  That should have run over 1.5 gallons through the 2.2 gallon header.

After the initial euphoria of a successful test wore off I got thinking...  what if the header is not full... will it refill?  So going to do another test with that configuration.

I've had an ongoing issue of fuel leaking out of the filter assembly.  I got it down to less than a weep, but there was still fuel on the fitting.  Changed out the copper gaskets on the suction collector, still leaked and now started coming out of the seam in the reusable input filter.  Finally just took the whole thing out, replaced every gasket, torqued and reinstalled.  That got it.

Then there was the brake leaks.  This has been ongoing... months ago it was leaking out the park brake valve.  Rebuilt it with a kit from matco and had it pressure tested... no leaks.  Reinstalled... was fine for weeks and weeks... then it started leaking.  I think it was coming from the shaft.  I am tired of cleaning up 5606.  Pulled out the valve and put in 2 union fittings.  While testing, found a leak on one of the hoses on the co-pilot side.  Removed, re-terminated, pressure tested, fixed.  Reinstalled.  No more leak.  Plus endless cleaning of 5606.

Tweaking cowl fasteners for fit and height.

Anti chaff tape on flaps.

Polishing continues.

Went down to WA state for a checkride with an experienced Glastar / Sportsman instructor.  This was needed for insurance purposes.  Done!  Great airplane to fly...  

Friends have been asking for ages 'are you excited'?  Honestly I was not... had work to do.  NOW I am getting excited!  Last hurdle to first flight is passed.

Putting the interior back in today, test the vents tomorrow (Wednesday).  Fix any last minute gotchas on Thursday, fly Friday (3/28) weather permitting.  As of Tuesday, it's looking awesome.