Wings...root skins, braces, pitot/static tube

07/23 - 07/26/03 - I got to the shop Wednesday after work long enough to bond the right wing top side root skin on the aft edge only to find that it had NOT HELD when I released my clamps...I found out this morning that I had forgotten to clean off the anodizing on the bottom side of the root skin, so today, I removed the bonding agent along that area, cleaned everything up and RE-DID IT!  ;^)

I was also able to install three sets of rib braces Rans' manual calls for from ribs 6 to 9 on the underside of the leading edge wrap.  The braces help keep the surface from 'oil-canning' when in flight.  After that, I drilled two 1/4" holes through the leading edge spar & wrap to install the Pitot and Static tubes.  I STOPPED after that, because I have to ask a TECHNICAL QUESTION before proceeding.

Following are a few photos from the tasks, starting with the REBOND job:

Here I have the braces laid out in place (1/2" dia tubes just above the aft edge of the wrap):

Drilled and clecoed:

Riveted in place:

Last week, I purchased a Bendix/King KT-76A Transponder wired for the AmeriKing AK-350 encoder I'm installing, so I'm BEGINNING to work on acquiring panel items.  Here's a shot of my proposed panel (note - Compass is not shown, but sits on glareshield):

At some point, I -may- use the current map box area for a moving map base, but until then, I have a Garmin GPS195 I plan to use for electronic nav, although I have also been thinking recently about buying a KLN88 Loran since they're so cheap these days and I don't think Loran C is going away as soon as a lot of people think.  I have a while yet before I need to decide on that, however.  I think it'll be a very nice VFR panel even as it is now.  Comments on the panel layout?

More updates soon...

Last Update: 07/26/2003