Kit arrivals
The finishing kit and powerplant kit have both arrived. I'm running out of places to store things. There are airplane parts in the garage, the basement, the coat closet, and at this point I'm looking for more closet space throughout the house. I guess as it becomes an assembled airplane it will actually take up less space, not more.
Avionics
I've reached out to Vans about the possibility of upgrading my G3X Touch avionics order to AXIS, since S-LSA orders are now getting that option. They're checking with the team. No answer yet, but I'm hopeful. The avionics are scheduled to ship September 8th, so there's still a bit of time. Worst case it will be the G3X, which is still great, of course.
Open items with Vans
I also emailed Vans about two items I need disposition on. First, the three AN426AD4 rivets on the F-1211B bulkhead doubler that I countersunk at 120 degrees instead of 100. The left and right look okay; the middle one is over-countersunk and not great. Second, a scratch on the left wing main spar that I'm not sure came from shipping or handling. I've sent measurements and photos for both and am waiting for their response. Neither is a blocker right now, but definitely things I need input on.
LSRM
Shelby and I are in the middle of the Joby Aviation LSRM online course. It's taking up a good chunk of our evenings, with the in-person wrench week in California coming up in September. This has been taking up a lot of our time and we'll both be happy when it's over.
Wing progress
We've been working through all the wing rib modifications and deburring. We also have a third set of hands. A 16-year-old Hungarian exchange student staying with us this year has been helping with deburring. Three people deburring is definitely better than two, and she's learning a lot so far.
More replacement parts
Two more pieces ordered this round. The W-1208-L-1 nose rib, because when I was removing the forward flange on the sander I hit another flange. It's probably fine, but I wasn't completely happy with it.
The A-1201C-L aileron outboard nose skin needs replacing because the instructions call for match drilling #30 into the aileron counterbalance. What they should tell you is to first match drill #40 and then enlarge to #30. If you go straight in with a #30 bit, you're going to enlarge the holes. I did three of them before I realized it was going badly, figured out the right technique, and decided to just replace the skin since the holes looked terrible. Another tip for future builders.
That's another $112.69 in replacement parts. The $15 flat rate shipping every time continues to sting.
Lessons learned
I think I'll make a specific post at some point with all of the lessons learned as a single page, so that hopefully others can avoid the mistakes I'm making. We're probably a bit eager to replace pieces, but we're trying to find that sweet spot between accepting bad quality and perfectionism. I'm sure we'll never find it.
What's next
Shelby and I are going to try to spend at least an hour a night on the plane. I think once we finish the LSRM course we'll spend more than that. We're motivated and excited, but deburring ribs isn't too exciting!
Hours
Wings are at 9.5 for me, 8.5 for Shelby, and 1 hour for our exchange student. Not that much progress for having had the kit for two months.
Photos
