More instrument panel layout: 6 hours

• I fine tuned the panel design some more and printed several full size paper mockups.

I added some outlines to the various cutouts to check spacing:

Example of close up detail for spacing:

Instrument panel layout: 6 hours

• Mocked up the intrument panel and worked on the layout using the Front Panel Express 2d cad software.

Using the panel blank to get an idea on layouts:

I used a scrap piece to make a switch panel to check spacing:

The Front Panel Express software is easy to learn and effective.

Forward fuselage work: 4 hours

• I spent a significant amount of time removing rivets that the quick build factory had installed. I'm not sure if they riveted them for shipping purposes or not. It's frustrating to spend time undoing things.
• Ordered cherry max structural blind rivets as per other builders to rivet difficult areas involving the upper forward skin.
• Worked on upper forward skin including deburring rivet holes and edge finishing.

No photos today.

Interior part painting: 4 hours

Cleaned, prepped, etc and painted a number of interior panels:

More forward fuselage - inspected landing / taxi lights: 3 hours

• Match drilled forward fuselage top skin except instrument panel and firewall
• Drilled center rib to firewall rivet hole in support angle
• Made center rib angle, located and drilled to center rib components
• Drilled center rib angle to sub panel and center rib
• Unpacked my new LED landing and taxi lights by Baja - very nice

Drilling center rib angle:

Baja Squadron Sport:

Center rib supports:

More forward upper fuselage: 6.4 hours

• Bent tab on center rib reinforcing angle to 25 degrees and checked fit
• Drilled rivet holes through firewall and center rib
• Deburred and dimpled above
• Match drilled left and right ribs to firewall
• Drilled left rib and firewall for mounting engine sensor manifold (fuel, oil and manifold pressure)
• Match drilled and deburred sub panel and left and right ribs
• Clecoed forward skin on

Using top skin to help align center rib:

Using rivet fan to layout holes in firewall:

Center rib drilled:

Top skin clecoed on:

Misc forward fuselage work: 2 hours

• Made reinforcement plate for center rib
• Located position on firewall for center rib rivets

Structure under forward skin temporarily in place: