Category: Wings

I did some cleaning yesterday and today but I forgot to post it yesterday. Not a huge deal since it didn’t really change the appearance of the tanks that much. I did find a single rivet that I forgot to encapsulate so I got that sealed and I also got the fuel level senders sealed up now too. I also ordered some 3/8″ NPT caps to close up the tank holes so I can put some gas in these and try it out. I might just try to fill it with water and see if that has any leaks before trying something more expensive like gas. Still trying to see if that’s a good strategy or not to make sure the forward portion of the tank is sealed before I close it off by putting the rear baffle in. I also still need to add the additional 3/8″ NPT fitting on the top inboard rib so I can have the fuel returns plumbed up in case I do a full FADEC engine.

First thing was the additional VA-141 3/8 NPT flanges came in today. Unfortunately one of them did not have threads all the way through like it is supposed to. I called Van’s to see if they are going to ship a replacement or if it is okay to tap it the rest of the way. Second, the plastic razor blades came in today and so I put them to work cleaning the tanks of excess sealant. I have to say, I’m really surprised how well these things worked and they didn’t mar up the parts at all. Really cool product and worked like a charm! I was able to clean three bays (almost half of a tank) today before my piriformis syndrome really started acting up. I hope to get over this soon!

Eric came by today and looked at my wing progress and the tanks. The only thing I need to fix is make sure I don’t have any strings or possibility of sealant coming loose. I knew I needed to clean it up but he pointed out a few that I hadn’t seen so it was good to have him look at it. I ordered some plastic razor blades that I hope will help with getting the sealant off the areas I don’t want it. I started some of the cleanup but it will take quite a bit of time to make sure it is fully clean. I also need to make sure I have good coverage on everything. I 3D printed some plastic razor blades but they were too soft and not sharp. But I’m ready to get this cleaned up and get it sealed and installed.

I went by the EAA tool crib today and got a flare tool so I could finish the vent lines and get the final half of the inboard ribs installed. Luckily that went off without a hitch and the tanks are now ready to be inspected! I called my wonderful EAA tech counselor and he has so kindly agreed to come out tomorrow to my house and take a look at the wings as well as the fuel tanks before I seal them up and then install them on the wings. I am also going to have him take a look at my pitot because of the damage I caused to it on the bench grinder when it accidentally got the electrical harnesses caught in it because of my lack of spatial awareness while I was trying to remove a small amount of material from the mast. I believe I can just re-sheath it in some heat shrink but I might have to reterminate them too which I’m good either way, I just want to make sure it will work properly. Either way, I’m happy with the progress and I’m excited to get these tanks sealed and installed!

I got a little bit of time today to finish the J stiffener and I got both of the forward mount brackets done too. I now need to let that sit and work on getting the fuel vent lines installed. I’ll get to try out my latest tool for bending pipe that I ordered a month or so ago and so how well it works.

Took a bit to figure out how best to tackle this but I got it done. The longest part was going back and capping over the rivets and getting the underside of the J stiffener sealed up. I think the next one I do I am going to put a little bit more sealant towards the back side so I don’t have to try to add so much back there.

I got the rest of the 6 ribs installed today. It took me about 45 minutes each between cleaning, mixing, riveting, etc. Glad this is over with and I can move on to the other things like the J channel and bracket installs tomorrow.

I didn’t get alot of time today as I was busy with work, school (grading), or church stuff. But I did get four ribs installed. Good progress and trying to keep it as neat and tidy as possible.

I got the shims in while we were at Lake Texoma. I got those trimmed and installed. I then got the first two full ribs installed in each tank. I’ve been watching some people on how they keep their installs so clean and they talk about keeping a clean workstation which I try my hardest to keep things wiped off and everything but then it adds so much to the time that the proseal is setting off before I’m completely finished with a single rib. I’ll keep perfecting it I guess and as long as I’m not leaving behind potential pieces that can fall off I guess I can just keep building and improving.

Well I did end up having a little bit of time today before Kate got home to do some work. I got the forward inboard ribs installed because they would be fairly easy with the squeezer and not having to have sealant over the entire rib flange. I double checked with the light that I didn’t see any showing up through the rib so it should be sealed. The image makes it look like I gooped it on but I really didn’t use that much. I’m going to guess it is the reflections off the aluminum that is making it look thicker than it is. At the rate I’m using the sealant I should be able to finish the tanks with one quart, or maybe just a tad over.