Today I spent some time riveting the bottom right skin. I was able to rivet all then way up to the j-channel. So far it has been straight forward and no issues, but I suspect it will become increasingly challenging as I get closer to the main spar.
I slipped in the j-channel, making sure to go between the inboard j-channel and the skin, and then clecoed it into position. I then checked the clearance between the j-channel and the rib cut outs, and everything looked good.
Today I made a start riveting the right bottom skin onto the right wing.
It want easier than I thought, perhaps because I’ve done it before on my previous set of wings. I didn’t finish the job, and expect it will take a number of sessions to get this set done.
Today I clecoed the old left wing bottom skin to the new one, marked out the pitot tube mast mount holes, and then drilled them all. I also made a start of cutting out the mast hole, but didn’t finish that step.
I previously decided to replace the left bottom skin. On my first pair of QB wings, I had riveted on most of the left skin before deciding to replace the wings due to faulty primer. Because I had painstakingly positioned the pitot tube mast mount holes on the old skin, I drilled out all of the rivets and removed the skin before sending the wings back to Vans. I couldn’t reuse the skin because too many of the holes were enlarged.
On the right wing, I match drilled the three holes into the j-channel stiffeners on the bottom skin. These three holes are where the two lengths of channel overlap, and they need match drilling.
Nothing much to report, I had to install and remove the skin to mark the hole positions, and didn’t encounter any issues.
Once the holes were drilled, I deburred and dimpled them.
I spent time securing the right wing wiring today. Zip ties along the length, and some RTV in some places to help secure everything and keep it from rattling around in places where the wiring bundle was loose within the snap-bushings.
Today I installed the autopilot roll servo. Having done this on the previous set of wings, this went quickly. I also installed the bell crank, the adel clamps, and torqued all the bolts.
Today I spent time running the wiring harnesses through the right wing, and installing the spare wiring molex connector bracket. This is my own (Vans approved) modification to make it easier to add more electrical devices in the future.
It’s been a month without work on the plane, partly due to work travel, but mainly because we brought home a puppy, Bruno, and he has been requiring my help in the evenings.
Now he is sleeping in his crate all night, so I can get some time back in the garage.
I pulled off the right wing fuel tank, installed the fuel sender and other fittings, and then leak tested the tank. I wasn’t able to find any leaks using the soap and water technique, so I reinstalled the tank back on the wing.
Today I match drilled the pitot tube brace to the rib, and then riveted it in place on the rib. Now it’s ready for the bottom skin install. Then I installed an adel clamp to hold the pitot lines near where they will connect to the pitot tube, and torqued the bolt.
