Finish Kit (and others...for Final Assembly)

Wing Root Covers ( 5 hrs )

Installed Wing Root Covers top and bottom- they fit well.  Discovered QB Wings were missing 3 dimples at front of Top Cover structure.  So I improvised a long reach to use my CS bit on those adjacent to Fuselage side skins (see pic below).  Bottom Covers require extra bending around LE into final shape ( I pre-bent per instructions in 2017).  Both the LH and RH Top Covers required minor trimming to maintain correct and uniform gap to Fuse skin.  Otherwise, discovered RH Landing light doesn't work (LH is A-OK). I also temporarily connected Nav Lights one at a time...and determined LH Nav light won't come on, but RH Nav light trips Nav CB !  Stein Air's Christer helped confirm GAD 27 is working correctly for Landing Lights - so I need to examine other connectors.  DRAT !

Extensions with CB at end to correct for missing CS on supports at
front of Top Cover.  Section 41-05(?) is shown, with note on dwg where
Vans missed dimples on QB Wings

View underneath LH Wing at connection to Fuse. 
Shows torque seal on Wing Bolts/Nuts.  Top Cover
 is on, getting ready to install Bottom Cover

Finish Kit (and others...for Final Assembly)

Fuel Lines between Fuse and Wings ( 4 hrs )

Attempted to install LH and RH Fuel Lines between Wing tank and Fuselage.  My tube bending tool doesn't all the "S" bends from one direction to opposite direction with the short straight length between - so those I made Dec 29, 2017 don't quite fit -- almost, but I couldn't coax them into alignment.  I got the LH to sorta fit by over-bending into a "Z" shape...but still required forcing.   So I contacted Steve at Aircraft Specialty - he's sending both (note from future: rec'd 17th)

 I did manage to get the LH one "installed", but
they weren't aligned (from other viewing angle).
 Since I couldn't get the RH this close, I decided
to simply order both from Aircraft Specialty.

Finish Kit (and others...for Final Assembly)

Flaps, Pitot and AOA air lines, etc ( 5 hrs )

Primarily worked on Flap installation, but also connected Pitot and AOA air lines at LH Wing root.  Installed Empennage Gap Covers and Fairing.

Flaps installed LH and RH sides.   

RH side...   note: Final check of Aileron alignment still needed

Beauty shot !  Getting there.... 
Only Wing Tips, and Wing Root covers remain
(plus Wheel Pants...which I haven't brought yet from home shop)

Quick connect for Pitot and AOA air lines

Pleased with fit of Empennage Fairing. 
Starting to remove blue plastic from VS -- only area
that I didn't immediately remove 

Finish Kit (and others...Final Assembly)

Ailerons, Landing Lights, OAT, etc ( 4 hrs )

Installed Ailerons, connected Fuse to Wings harness (including attaching ground wires to Fuse).  Installed OAT in LH Wing, routed via supports I added to inboard 3 ribs.  Installed Landing/Taxi LED lights (ordered via Vans). 

Ailerons mounted with pushrod to bellcrank connected. 
Exciting to move joystick and watch surfaces move...finally!

Added (months ago) these support
brackets for OAT in first 3 inboard ribs

Outside Air Temp  probe (Garmin GTP 59)
 mounted in LH Wing where Vans provided
pre-drilled hole adjacent to access plate
...and Magnometer.

RH Light installed.  I'm guessing at angular position...
Vans doesn't provide info on how to "aim",
but I'll ask their build support

Finish Kit (and others...for Final Assembly)

Wings Attached ( 4 hrs )

Bolted on Wings.  Nancy and friend (wants to remain anonymous) helped align Wings on two padded sawhorses.  Then moved into Fuselage connection gently ( I laid on floor under Wing to lift and guide into position).  Inserted both 3/8" tapered drift pins.  Each large bolt went in as expected  -- needing rubber mallet to drive the "close tolerance" bolts through.  Clamping thin skins on outside Fuselage spar is essential as bolt passes (threads will catch and spread "skin").  Rear attachment point aligned easily too.  Impressive how well everything aligned.    Out of curiosity, measured diagonally from Wing tip to center of Aft Fuselage  - within less than 1/16" on each side.  So as manufactured holes were perfect (good news, since couldn't have changed regardless.  Earlier Vans kit designs required positioning/aligning Wings prior to match drilling rear attachment point.  RV14a is already done!)  Note:  process to install Wings was less than 1 hr on each side.  Remainder of time spent on other details.

Padded sawhorses ready for LH Wing

RH Wing has drift pins.  Nancy can let go!

RH Wing showing large bolts installed
(next add washers and nuts !). Smaller
3/8 dia bolts not yet installed.
Note: clamps removed prior picture.

Tah Dah !   and Hooray!

Finish Kit (and others...for Final Assembly)

Rudder installed (3 hrs )

Installed Rudder with Nancy's help.  Confirmed Elevator Trim works, and LED strobe/taillight too,

Let there be Light.  Functions as Strobe too.

Finish Kit (and others...for Final Assembly)

Hangar Set Up & Empennage Assembly ( 5 hrs )

Set up benches and tools in hangar.  Mounted Horiz Stab, then Vert Stab, and Elevators per Sections 11 and 36.

Empennage assmbly...only missing Rudder.