Elevator covered...again!

09/06/03 - Today was a bit of make-up for the right elevator.  I mentioned last week that I'd taken some hardware off the item before covering and after I talked with Ed on Monday, I found that I'd removed TOO MUCH HARDWARE!   I knew I should have read farther in the manual...I needed to leave on the trim cable bracket.

I'm actually grateful that I did because I had an opportunity to do a much better job covering this time than last.  I used a slightly different method (as suggested by the Rans manual AND the Poly-Fiber book I've been reading as I have time).

Since I have to use a little more of the fabric than is normal, I was concerned that I might be short on a critical item (fuselage), so just to be on the safe side, I ordered another bit of fabric yesterday that will take care of the ailerons and flaps.  I didn't use a third of that amount recovering the elevator, so I believe I'll have enough now, even allowing for another mistake.

I also picked up 10 Whelen Post lights last week on eBay for about $6 each, which is much better than the $36 they normally go for.  I did have to replace the 28v lamps with 14v, but the replacement lamps are only $1.20 each at Wag Aero.

Here are a very few photos of today's task, showing the elevator after recovering and the trim tab cable bracket in place on the bottom side:

Showing the topside after covering and before shrinking:

After three passes with the iron on both sides:

I also installed a lexan panel over the bracket per drawing and then a pinked-edge patch over:

I spoke with Ron Collins last week after he'd finished bench tests on my panel items (all are good to go...YAY!) and he indicated all harnesses, circuit breakers, etc should be ready to pick up early next week.

Now that I've received the balance of my instruments (VSI, G-Meter, ELT) etc. from Aircraft Spruce (also last week) I have only to order the eGyro3 from PCFlightSystems for my Attitude Indicator and I'm all set for the panel!!! (I'm waiting on an email from Craig Sellers at PC FlightSystems right now before I order the eGyro3, but very soon!)

Here's another look at the modified panel.  I'm adding a few breakers and an avionics master switch below the radio stack and will decrease the height of the map box in order to accomodate the extra row of breakers:

More updates soon...

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Last Update: 09/06/2003