Canopy and avionics misc: 10 hours

The following items were done over several days:

• Permanently installed canopy tip prop rod holder
• Did more sanding on canopy skirt
• Received instrument panel placards from Front Panel express - they turned out great!
• Permanently installed canopy slide rail
• Planned out where all avionics boxes will mount forward of the instrument panel. In the process of doing this I found I was missing the GAD 29 Arinc interface box for the GTN-650 so I ordered one from Steinair
• I also ordered a fair amount of hardware including steel fittings for the firewall penetrations for fuel, brake lines and brake reservoir. Other hardware included plate nuts and screws, etc. for mounting avionics.
• Ordered one of two lithium iron batteries that will mount on the firewall.
• Did a lot of avionics and firewall related research online.

Sub panel with outlines for placement of avionics:

A lot of boxes to fit in forward of the instrument panel:

Permanently installed canopy slide rail:

Instrument panel placards from Front Panel Express:

  More sanding / prep on canopy skirt:

Installed canopy tip up prop rod holder:

Instrument panel and misc: 8 hours

I was so happy with my N number placard from Front Panel Express that I decided to use them for all of the panel labeling. My alternative was dry transfer labels. The advantage of the placards is that if you need to change something you can just order a new placard. They also look great.

I did a fair amount of the layout while traveling. Even though I had the panel already laid out on the computer it took more time than I anticipated to get the placards right.

I also permanently installed a few canopy related parts in the fuselage.

Final panel placard mock up:

Left vent bracket mockup with 12v and engine alt air control:

Initial mockup after N number placard attached:

Tip up / slider canopy prop rod and right pin bracket:

Right pin bracket  with tip up / slider stop: