Construction Blog and Builder's Resource
Canopy removed and forward top skin riveting underway.
Forward top skin riveting complete (I think that’s the last structural riveting on the project!) and subpanel flange masked for sealant application.
Not a lot of fun (OK, actually zero fun, at most) applying the sealant from beneath, but it had to be done and now it is!
Engine mount awaiting its installation tomorrow.
The interior has arrived!! It’ll be months before all these bits are installed, but there may be a sneak peak at one of the seats shortly…
The panel is done and ready to ship!
Main landing gear legs awaiting their date with the fuselage. That’ll be 6/4, hopefully…
The interior components arrived yesterday, so I popped the pilot’s seat back in place, set the floor panel loosely in place, and…
…Voila!
It’ll be a few months before all the bits are permanently installed, but there’ll be matching carpet, side panels, armrests, stick boots, etc. I think it turned out great; it’s easy to see why Abby at Flightline has her sterling reputation!
My sweaty mug aside, the real point of my sitting in there this morning was to check the position of the rudder pedals. I was concerned that, with my selected middle position for the pedals (possible to change now, but it would be a titanic PITA), none of the possible seat back positions would be a fit.
I’ve been hoping that the middle seat back position would be just right and, in fact, that’s exactly how it turned out. For other -14A builders keeping score, I’m 6′ tall with a 33/34″ inseam.
Glad to be this far along, but not thrilled with having to face the remaining 6-8 months of the project. Oh, well – there’s nothing to do but soldier on!
OK, closing the canopy for the first time with the actual seat installed was cool, even for me.
Yet another shot of yours truly. Thanks, Jean!
Canopy now removed for installation of remaining seals. Also, I needed it out of the way of upcoming fuselage work. Wiring, etc. It’ll be going into the house in the next few days.
The whole garage will have to be reconfigured – probably with the fuselage on the diagonal – to make room for all the FWF work. Before that, though, each wing will have to be mounted (temporarily, of course) to facilitate a few remaining tasks. Plus the tail, too.
Yep, that’s the canopy again.
Forward top skin finally going on for good. It’s attached with Proseal and rivets for the complete, belt & braces anti-leak solution. It’s done in three stages and today’s sealing session was the first. Tomorrow morning we’ll complete the riveting, followed by the second sealing stage. Fun times…
The forward top skin’s other side…
Getting ready for the gear mounting party next Tuesday by locating all of the necessary hardware. I’m dreading having to remove all of those labels, but that’s probably another project for tomorrow.
Van’s Aircraft Inc. – Why, oh why, do you persist in using those horrific white stickers on powdercoated parts?!? They’re a freaking nightmare to remove. If part numbers are really necessary (not too many of the powdercoated parts could possibly be mistaken for anything else), write them on with Sharpie. At least that would come off with a swipe of acetone.
Left upper gear brace installed.
Right upper gear brace installed.
I swapped the Van’s-supplied (incorrect) nosewheel with the proper one from Matco and picked up their axle kit, too. Shown ready for disassembly here.
The nosewheel & axle have been taken apart and the tube is ready to go into the tire.
All done here and ready to mount on the airplane. The bearings were greased, of course, before final assembly with the axle.
