Wings...root skins, pitot/static tubes & lines, Nav/Strobe mount and wiring.

08/02/03 - Last week, I posted an image file containing the layout for my panel and I mentioned I was thinking about installing a KLN88 Loran for Navigation purposes.

That has changed now and my NEW PANEL LAYOUT includes a KLX-135A GPS/COM instead of the ICOM A200 Transceiver.  I picked up the 135A last week for a pretty good price and now have the Com AND Nav portion of the panel taken care of and I still have room for that CD Player!!!

Now that I have a panel mount GPS, I have a handheld (Garmin GPSMAP 195 with all the addons) that I'm going to sell as soon as I get time to post it on eBay, unless someone reading this contacts me FIRST! ($400 will get insured delivery anywhere in the states).  Is anyone looking for a nice KLN88 either???

This week, I started the day by REMOVING A BUNCH OF RIVETS!   I had inadvertantly made the root skin installation PERMANENT before I really needed to do so and discovered this while reading ahead a bit on the covering process.  Oh well, it's done now and wasn't terribly difficult as I punched the rivet head out the backside of the mandrel, then carefully drilled the cap off and all holes are fine!

I must remember if I ever do this again NOT TO DO THAT AGAIN!  ;^)

I was then able to get started where I left off last week on installing the Pitot and Static Tubes and lines.  Here are a few photos of that job, starting with laying out the lines (blue lines along the aft edge, and yes, the Cardinals were on TV again today!) :

Here attached to the tubes through the leading edge spar and wrap:

The Pitot tube extends through the leading edge wrap in finished position. The tube will be moved back into the wing during covering and painting, then placed in final position from an inspection port after the  Coyote is completed:

Once I completed that task, I cut the fuel filler neck down to proper length on the left wing tank (while carefully keeping dust and debris OUT of the tank):

I then began rigging the AeroFlash Nav/Strobe/Position setup.  Here finding the proper position for the mounting bracket with the left (red) side set attached:

Clecoed in place:

Mount plate riveted in position:

Adding braces for the bottom side of the mount plate:

Finished:

Here's a shot showing the previously covered root end with the fuel tank lines, Pitot/Static lines and the Nav/Strobe/Position wiring (this wiring is routed through the aft spar):

Tip end photo showing the wiring and mount plate after installation:

I still need to install the Aileron Push-Pull Tube and the Flap Teleflex Cable in this wing structure, then I will be ready to install the Light kit and Aileron/Flap control assemblies on the other side.

After that...I will officially be ready to begin covering!!!  (I think)

I have a VERY SOLID LINE on an available Tee Hangar at Henderson City-County Airport that I hope to finalize a rental or lease agreement on very soon.  I am obviously VERY EXCITED about this opportunity as it's coming along at exactly the right time for rigging and final assembly work.

I know I'm not AT THAT STAGE yet, but I do need the extra room for the covering, etc. and had been considering a month to month lease from Tom Speer, who is the former owner Tri-State Aero, which is the FBO at Evansville Regional Airport where I took my private training.

Tom's building would work fine, but was a little pricy for my budget.  I have been considering it so that I wouldn't have to work in a terribly cramped area for such an aesthetically critical point in my project.

If everything works out, I hope to be able to secure the Tee at Henderson within a week or so and move some of my stuff in shortly afterward!!!

[THANK YOU, MIKE!!!! You get first passenger rights in the Coyote!]

More updates soon...

Last Update: 08/02/2003