Tail 'stuff'... and other 'stuff'.

While waiting for my PFD and prop motor to come back (prop motor hasnt even shipped yet...), working on the tail.

Tailcone fasteners are riveted in.  Elevator fairings are on, minus a few fasteners I am waiting for.  Rudder fairing is on.  Rudder base fairing is in process... I am over thinking this one.

Horizontal stab fairing fasteners are on, still need to bond the two pieces together.

Need to make the tabs for the pins.

Another builder is going to machine me a new rudder hinge that is offset.  Need to rivet the stop to the yoke of the rudder.  Hinge is complete as of Jan 20, 2025... just waiting for it to arrive.

PFD is back and installed.  Funny story... there was a USB stick in the rear USB port on the display... and I think to myself, someone forgot to take it out.  So I take it out and put it in my pocket to return.  THEN I read this instructions that came in the box... they upgraded the software, and I need to upgrade the OTHER display and all the devices on the skyview network.  OK - will do that tomorrow I tell myself.  Then I couldnt remember where I put the USB stick.  Finally found it... all upgraded and done.

Pitch change motor has arrived in New Zealand.  Hoping for a week turn around.

Cut the holes in the fuselage for the flap tracks to go... that was fun!  NOT.  The fiberglass there is REALLY thick.

Installed the eyebolts in the wings, and drilled the rivets, installed the doublers, and the eyebolt on the vertical fin.  Wings are now properly stowed.  Having the wings swung back makes the tail REALLY heavy.  The T3 suspension certainly felt it.

Next is fuel lines from the wings to the fuselage!

Turned the engine over with 1 set of plugs out.  Took a good 60 seconds to see any oil pressure.  But it came up to 80 PSI on the starter alone.  Still need to install and clamp the breather exit.  Hose procured.

Wing Fold Brace

I learned a valuable lesson.... when you think something is wrong, don't do it!

When building the wings, I put the fasteners in for the wing fold eyebolts inboard on the foward spar - just like the manual and ANOR says.  I found the kit and all the pieces.  I grabbed the eyebolts that go into the fastener on the wing, under the main tank.

I thread in the right side by hand until I could not turn it any more, and then used a screwdriver through the eyebolt to wind it in the rest of the way.  No problem.  Then the left.... I start winding it in and SNAP.  The eyebolts were drilled on the shank... and it snapped at the hole.  So now I have a partial stud in the wing... and no access on one side.

After lots of thinking....

Plan A:  Try to back the fasteners out with a flat blade screwdriver using the slot in the tail.  Nope.

Plan B:  Drill the stud remaining and use an easy out.

Plan C:  Drill, and step the drill side up slowly to break the stud apart and remove the pieces.

Plan B did not go great... the drill wanted to walk on the slot, so the hole wasnt straight.  Drilled up to 1/8" and got the easy out in, but it did not want to budge.  Drilled up again and got the pieces out.

Ran a tap through the hole.  Eyebolt FITS!

New eyebolts ordered from ACS.  My god they are pricey.... but they are needed.

Forward wing braces have been fit and marked.

And the wing even folds.

I was hoping to not have to install the cups in the fuselage for the inboard flap track to tuck into.  That did not work out... it touches and the wings are not fully folded.  So they have to be installed.