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

Official Empty Weight & Balance ( 4 hrs )

With digital scales provided by Rich Gilbert (borrowed from friend who races stock cars) -- Thanks Rich ! performed the W&B test.  Terry Moushon and Ron Wright were terrific help - Thanks guys!  We used ramps previously built by Terry for his RV-10.  Results were 1,235 lbs (vs Vans demo RV14a at 1,239 lbs)  [ Note:  I saved over 10 lbs with EarthX lithium-iron battery replacing lead acid.  But I added some interior wall panels. Also, I have more primed surfaces, although moderate (only where a layer contacts another layer,  and the QB Wings and QB Fuse have Van's "light" primer treatments.   Believe both are VFR only equipped on panels.]   Actual positioning scales, moving plane, zeroing scales, measuring Arms for Wheel positions -then reversing only took about 1 hr.  Ron's mission was to learn the process, then deliver scales to another builder/pilot to do W&B tomorrow.

                                Weight                        Arm
Right Wheel               439                            96.75"
Left Wheel                 440                            96.69''
Nose Wheel               356                             41.25"

Total                         1, 235 lbs                         Empty CG = 80.73"

Vans demo plane as example has Empty CG = 80.63".  The 0.1" more aft CG makes sense since I have lighter battery at firewall.  But very close!

Also fixed Pin #2 with Black wire for ground crimped.  Success !  I now have RH Landing Light working.  But nothing for either RH or LH Nav lights (but now doesn't trip CB!)

Working

• Landing Lights (Taxi on LH, Landing on RH)
• Pitot Heat
• Aux Fuel Pump (very briefly)
• Defrost Fans
• Interior LED lights
• CO detector
• USB charging ports
• Headphones
• Canopy Warning (need test for above 1700 rpm mode)
• Flaps (configured for -3 reflex, and 0, 15, 30 degrees)
• Roll Trim (need confirm correct direction, otherwise reverse in G3x config)
• Pitch Trim (OK, correct direction)
• Stall Warning (red visual, flashing warning on G3X, and audio tone in headset)
• GTP 59 OAT probe (in LH wing)
• Engine temp sensors (CHT, EGT)  Oil pressure tbd, Oil Temp seems OK at ambient
• MAP seems to register current barometric pressure

Not Working:

• Nav lights !

To Be Determined:

• Fuel Senders,  LH and RH
• Magnetometer (appears to only need calibration)
• Fuel Flow sensor (Red Cube)

  

  Official EMPTY weight: 8 qts Oil on cowl, Wheel pants &
  Fairings positioned (not attached, but fasteners included)

  
  

  

  Plastic protective layer still on Canopy, off of Rear Window

  
  

  

  Good view of scales, with ramps and platform. 
  The 3 scales were all level for/aft and side to side.

  
  

  

  Terry and Ron relaxing knowing we're done!

  
  

  

  pic of readings.  The 439 and 440 weights kept alternating,
  probably w/ slight breeze entering hangar.  But always totaled same

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

Nutplates added to Bottom Cover ( 4 hrs )

Installed 6 nutplates (3 per side) for Bottom Wing Covers.  Completed fit of Cover around LE up to Top Cover.   Further inspected Connectors at Fuse to Wing:  revealed 9 Pin connector ( carries wiring for both Landing Lights and Nav Lights, as well as Fuel Sender on RH side) had a pin inserted but NO wire.  Cut open heavy duty heat shrink applied by Stein Air and found the end of Black wire for ground about 1" away from connector.  Ran out of time to repair...

Nutplates for Bottom Cowl completed.  I can't
figure out why these are left to builder -
except part of 51% build requirement.

Connector for harness from Fuselage to Wing Harness.
Only #4 position was supposed to be vacant.  But #2
position has a pin, but no wire attached. 
Supposed to be Black, for Ground

shows pin without wire attached

Cut open shrink wrap, and discovered Black wire.  I  suspect
 was pulled out prior to shrink wrap locking all wires together.
This harness is NOT computer checked like other harnesses,
including Common Fuse Harness, and Wing Harness --
 apparently many variations for build content...so non-standard

I pulled Black wire "forward" (there was plenty of slack).
 Will crimp on new pin, after I manage to remove pin in #2
location in connector

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!