Kit #7 arrived

[Utah-Jay]

After 5 weeks traveling it was good to get back to work on the plane. Windshield is fitted and cleco’d in.
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Tons of prep work to get ready for the windshield fairing.
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3 layers of fiberglass done today, more tomorrow

[Utah-Jay]

Trimmed the fairing and started sanding
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Sanded most of the day to get the high spots out, then filled the low spots with SuperFill

And…..
Being I forgot to put on my tie down rings when I put the struts on I did that yesterday
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Wings are on and torque sealed

[Utah-Jay]

Windshield faring is done and cleco’ed in place, holes will be upsized tomorrow
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Holes cut in wing root panel for the aileron pass-through
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[Utah-Jay]

Fairing drilled to windshield, rivnuts installed for fairing attachment to the boot cowl. Gonna try to get the fairing and possibly wingtips pained tomorrow
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[Utah-Jay]

All fuel lines and sight gauge lines are finished.
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Put the epoxy primer on the wingtips and windshield fairing today, they will get painted when I get home after this weeks work trip.

I had a left wingtip light gremlin that got solved a few days ago, so all my wiring is all set. I updated (for the first time) my Dynon HDX, so all it good on that front.

I made part of the wing to fuselage fairing template yesterday, it was the front cap I made.

I am chipping away at things

[Skyward II]

Progress. Looks good.

[Utah-Jay]

Did an initial weigh in today
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[jaredyates]

Of the three Companion weights that I know of, yours is in the middle and pretty close to the other one at 1257. Have you figured up the location of the empty cg yet?

[Utah-Jay]

jaredyates

I have not, we just threw it on the scales yesterday as the scales were used for a Kitfox and needed to be returned to the EAA chapter. It was just a quick weigh.

My plane with all the avionics and heavy duty cargo closeout was never going to be as light as the one that Dave built. My target was 1220 +/- 20 so I am happy as it stands now, but I think the weight will change +/- 5 before I am done

[gregc]

Without oil and with whatever residual fuel remained after draining it, my Companion weighs 1242 lbs with an empty CG of 14.6.

[Nev]

That's a very usable CG.

[Nev]

Looks to be about 15.1" empty Jay.
So with 2 big lads up front, full fuel, and 125 lbs baggage in the back you're under 2200lbs TOW and still only at 19.8". Fantastic!

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[gregc]

Nev Just to note that Bob set the aft limit for the Companion at 19.8 so 21 is over the limit (although it would probably fly just fine).

My empty CG matched N103BH exactly but the max baggage weight limit we calculated is quite different due to us choosing different arms for the seats and baggage area.
Im looking forward to seeing numbers on a third example. I understand that Dave validated his weight limit number during testing.

Utah-Jay I found that it is critical to be as accurate as possible when you level the plane. The relatively heavy tail and long arm of the tail wheel means that leveling errors have a large effect.

[Nev]

Good to know Greg - thanks. I'll edit my post above to reflect this.

[Utah-Jay]

gregc I weighed it in level flight attitude. This was just an initial weigh in, it did have 6 quarts of oil.

[Utah-Jay]

Decent reflection on the paint job on my wingtips
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[rodsmith]

Very nice!

[Utah-Jay]

jaredyates

Foreflight says my empty CG is 14.4. But I will get further in the weeds in time

[Utah-Jay]

Wingtips are on
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Now I’m back to covering… Flaps and Ailerons
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