With a successful engine test and taxi done with a working panel it seems safe to attach the forward skin (why do I type that with a sense of having to talk about unriveting it later). The only panel item left to install is the GPS antenna which will sit just nicely on top of the panel.
I was going to use velcro but Allen thought I should use something magnetic and in the end the bottom tin from my safety wire container was liberated and put to work.
A hole was drilled for the cable to go through, with grommet to keep safe and snug.
It makes for a very nice install. I’m going to do something to cover the skin, will just need to make sure the magnet still works through it.
Oh, here is a random picture of the seat cushions in the plane which I sat on for the taxi.
(I’d quite like to get the Zenith logo and my tail number embroidered on there).
The other thing to install in the panel is the map box. Because I sadly didn’t get the map box powder coated I had to spray the front of the box with a dark primer, otherwise you can see the shiny aluminum through the hinge. It stays in with some tiny #40 rivets that took about 1.5 squeezes to pull.
And from the front
I’ve put my tail number on the box. Yes, my tail number – the airplane is registered with the FAA. Oh hai Mr Tax man 🙁
With that done I could put the front skin on and rivet.
In the end I decided not to rivet just yet as I wanted to test the panel with the skin on, and I had the battery on a charge. I was able to test just before I left and everything still appeared to work, I will rivet that first thing next session.
Before the rest of the plane can be wrapped, I need the side windows in but it really is very handy to be able to put my head through the window to do things. So I need to get those things finished so I can put the windows on. Those things? Seat belt install, rivet the side covers, and maybe wrap the back of the baggage compartment.