Day 12 - January 25, 2014

Some wing parts were finally in use today.

Team Green got a headstart on the wing kit this session, and spent the day working on the wing spars. This included preparing the attach angles, doublers, and tie-downs; then attaching all those parts. The students got to practice tapping the tie-downs in order to fit an eye screw. The spars will serve as the main framework for the wings, providing the most support for the forces and weight loads placed on them.

Aside from that section, Teams Blue and Red both worked on the fuselage side skins. The pieces required a lot of preparation: cutting, dimpling, deburring, priming, countersinking; practically every technique was used before actually riveting them upon the fuselage structure.

 

Team Purple was split into two sub-groups: one worked to finish constructing the map box and began work on the supporting pieces for the battery and oil tank; the other group finished the upper firewall assembly and began planning the fuel line system.

Day 11 - January 18, 2014

Things were once again alive and active here at the hangar.

After some of the members finished fastening the bottom skin onto the fuselage, the structure was handed off to Team Purple to rivet the step floors, attach the baggage bulkhead, and install the systems block studs.

Team Red continued working on the brake system, and test-fitted the assembly into the lower front fuselage section. The section was finally attached to the entire fuselage structure, an additional piece to the growth of its construction.

The Green and Purple teams helped prepare the instrument panel along with its various parts and assemblies, including the map box and center instrument panel where the radio will reside.

 

Team Blue finished the roll bar and started constructing the baggage bulkhead assembly which will eventually connect to the bar and attach to the plane tailcone.

The side skins and roll bar assembly are next in line to become attached to the fuselage.

Day 9 - January 4, 2014 & Day 10 - January 11, 2014

These past couple of weekends have been really productive and busy here at the hangar. The teams continued to work on the fuselage skeleton and were able to complete and join all the required framework for the front fuselage. This included placing and securing the control column which will help direct the pitch of the airplane. 

Upon completion of the interior assemblies, members of the Green and Purple teams helped prepare and rivet the corner skins on the fuselage. It was exciting to see some exterior body components on the plane.

 

Team Blue spent the day assembling the roll bar of the cockpit. This piece will eventually attach to the center of the fuselage, delineating the cockpit from the baggage area. It will serve as a structural strengthener all the while providing some form of protection to the pilots in case of an aircraft overturn.

 

Teams Red and Purple worked on assembling and preparing the bottom skin. The big finale of the day was attaching the large piece to the fuselage. The entire assembled section had to be turned upside down in order for easy access to attach it. Most of the students spent the last half hour of the session working together to align and rivet the skin.

 

A couple of Red team students started the task of assembling the rudder pedals and brake system.

 

We also got a little sneak peek at the wing kit, which will be the next big project to tackle after completing the fuselage.

Day 8 - December 28, 2013

We are at the point in the fuselage kit where we are making lots of visual progress.  The skeleton of the fuselage is coming together quite nicely.

 

The Red and Purple teams completed their respective sections of the plans and joined their projects together at the end of the work session.  This will be the center section of the airplane, where the fuel tank will eventually be mounted and where the occupants will sit.

 

Team Blue completed the forward lower fuselage which is now waiting to be attached to the main fuselage assembly.

 

Team Green spent the day working on the forward seat bulkhead.  This is a complicated piece, as there are quite a few different components that attach to it including the mounts for the control sticks.