LH Control Surface Hinges (2)

2 hours

After finishing up a few details I forgot to do yesterday on the root ribs, and re-installing the wing attach block, I got the flap and aileron hinges fit and updrilled.  This time I didn't even really need to measure anything; I just located the first hole for each hinge in the center of the end lug and went from there.  As far as I can tell that locates everything just right!

LH Leading Edge & Root Ribs (4)

4 hours

Back at it again after a vacation and some other stuff.  I updrilled the leading edge skin to #32, and updrilled everything I could reach on the root rib attach angles to #30.  Then I removed the leading edge skin.

The root ribs on the left side are a bit trickier than the right because the attach angle faces the opposite way so, the hardware attaching the angle to the spar is very difficult to get at.  I realized while disassembling that with the ribs riveted to the angles, there'd be no way I could torque them back on properly.  I decided it would be easier to bolt the attach angles on first and torque everything for the final time, and then rivet the ribs to the angles last.  This also required me to remove the wing attach block since that would've blocked access to where I needed to rivet.

Anyway, I took all the root rib components apart, cleaned up all the holes, and then riveted the reinforcements only where the attach angle doesn't overlap.  Now they're ready to go back on the spar.

Another thing that caused me some extra work that I didn't run into on the right wing was, with the attach angles facing outboard, they block the last hole on the main spar where the skins overlap.  So I had to file some relief area on both ends of the forward angle  to fix that problem.  I think it's good now!

With all that done, I finally bolted the attach angles back on the spar and then riveted the ribs to them.

The two rivets in each corner were tricky to get at, but with my skinny rivet puller and little wedge tool I got them done without too much trouble. 

LH Landing Light, part 2 (1)

1 hour

 

Finished the final adjustments on the lens, and also put the molex connector on the light.

LH Landing Light (3)

3 hours

I got most of the landing installation done.  All that's left is to fine tune the bottom edge of the lens, and then install the mounting bracket after I take the leading edge skin back off later.

Leading Edge Holes and Inspection Covers (3)

3 hours

I was kind of procrastinating doing this, but today I got the bog holes cut out for the LRI and landing light.  I'm going to install the LRI is the same spot in this wing as the pitot tube is in the right wing, so I laid out this hole per the plans, just a mirror image.  Anyway, I started with a bunch of unitbit holes, then connected them and removed as much material as I could with the nibbler, and then filed to the lines and finished the edges with a Scotchbrite pad.  Once again, it was very tedious!  But the end result was pretty good.

Next I installed the K1000-08 nutplates for the LRI installation, just like the pitot tube.  I don't have the actual LRI yet, but now I have this plate ready to go so I just have to install the LRI probe in through the plate later and it'll be done.  A note on hardware, the phillips-head screws that the plans called for to install the pitot tube stripped out extremely easily on me before, so I ordered some Torx screws instead from Bolt Depot.  These work much better!

Finally, while I was at it I also installed nutplates around the aft wing inspection hole (where the aileron bellcrank is).  The plans tell you to just drill holes and use tiny sheet metal screws, but I wanted something a little more robust.  I think I'll survive the couple grams of extra weight.  I used K1000-06 nutplates and #6 x 3/8" stainless Torx screws.  I went back and did the same thing on the right wing since I skipped this step earlier, and before I slapped the cover on I also installed the tiedown hardware.

LH Root Ribs and Root Doubler (2)

2 hours

I got the root ribs pilot drilled to their attach angles, and the root doubler/wing walk is fitted and updrilled!  The root doubler was much easier this time since I didn't accidentally updrill all the holes in the skins first.

LH Wing Skins, part 4 (2)

2 hours

More drilling.  I got the bottom side of the leading edge pilot drilled, the lower aft skin updrilled, and the top and bottom of the main spar updrilled.