Kit #7 arrived

[Utah-Jay]

Kris
Mine weighed 1225, looking forward to your Rotax build

I suspect the Rotax 916 with the fadec CS prop will weigh at least a 100# less all else being equal

[Kris]

Have you done a weight and balance yet? I’m currently doing a companion with Rotax 916 and trying to get real weights thanks

[rodsmith]

That is an amazing build time. Especially since you are still traveling for work, congratulations!

[rkennell]

Congratulations. Looking forward to hearing about the first flight.

[Utah-Jay]

https://youtu.be/tAXfKbM9TAQ?si=PFCx9S0U466ytN0m

First engine start today. NO LEAKS!

Just a couple of squawks that need to be addressed.

1188 days from start to start

[Utah-Jay]

Had planned on an engine start today, but it did not happen as I have a small fuel
leak on my sight gauge

Gots lots done today tho

Fuel caps now fit perfectly
IMG_6620.jpg

Installed the flap and aileron pocket close outs both top and bottom
IMG_6618.jpg IMG_6619.jpg

[Utah-Jay]

Made a bunch of shiny stuff blue
IMG_6606.jpg
That was yesterday’s batch, plenty more got painted today and is still in the paint booth

Put a few pieces on before I left the hanger just for the feel good factor
IMG_6607.jpg

FYI, if you see a small amount of “orange peel” it is on purpose so be as close of a match to the Oratex fabric as possible.

Tomorrow is paint prep for some black pieces to be painted on Tuesday and then it is just putting it back together and I am done

[Utah-Jay]

Commitment. It’s motivating. DAR date set yet?

DAR has inspected the plane twice already as he is on my home field fairly often and is happy to stop in and check it out. I am hoping for first week of January. Planing an engine start next week before I leave for two weeks of work on December 8th. :fingers crossed:

[Skyward II]

Commitment. It’s motivating. DAR date set yet?

[Utah-Jay]

Did not wanna miss a day… I had been procrastinating doing this as the screwup potential was high, but time gave me no option and I knocked out the left side. What is it? The connection from the fuselage to the bottom wing fairing
IMG_6601.jpg IMG_6602.jpg

[Utah-Jay]

Wing fairings are all but done… Trying to get my head about one last hurdle.

[Utah-Jay]

Got tire of working on wing fairings and needed a distraction… So made a holder for the door
IMG_6597.jpg IMG_6596.jpg

Oh yeah did my typical while safety wiring my oil filter
IMG_6595.jpg

Yep, stabbed myself with the wire I was removing because I was not satisfied the first time

[rkennell]

It is looking very nice, but the work you have done all has. Looking forward to the day you ready to fly.

[Utah-Jay]

Lots of building, not much posting, getting close though

Flap and aileron pocket closeouts have been made and primed ready for paint.


Had a bit of a F-up building the front of the fuselage to wing fairing a week ago and had to order more material, but finished the two fronts and tops today. I dig into the bottom tomorrow

I will trim them all when the fitting is done
IMG_6586.jpg IMG_6587.jpg IMG_6588.jpg IMG_6589.jpg
IMG_6590.jpg

[Utah-Jay]

Fabricated the door post to contain the wires and forward fuel lines. It was a trial and error day, LOTS of errors before I got it right
IMG_6565.jpg IMG_6567.jpg IMG_6566.jpg IMG_6568.jpg