Install Glare Shield and Rivet Upper Fuselage Skin

Over the last couple of days I sanded and then painted the glare shield flat black.  I took it back out to the hangar and mixed some Pro-Seal.  I spread a thin layer of Pro-Seal  on the canopy bow and  celcoed the shield in place. I will install the rivets the next time I am at the hangar.  I then clamped my rivet squeezer in the vice and proceeded to install the rivets to attach the angles to the upper fuselage skin.  All went well and when finished I clecoed the skin in place.  

Replace Upper Fuselage Cover and Fit Glare Shield

I started to do some work on the airplane again.  During the move the 3-stooges managed to rip the edge of the upper fuselage cover over the instrument shelf.  Somehow in opening the canopy, the canopy arms caught the edge of the cover and in the process of bending it up, the over tore.

I ordered a new piece from Van’s along with a Glare Shield for the RV-12.  I drilled out the rivets holding the instrument panel support angles and removed them.  I dimpled the new cover and clecoed the support angles to the rear edge.  I put it in place on the fuselage and attached it with clecoes.  I need to install the rivets and the replacement will be complete. 

Next I decided to fit the glare shield.  I used some clamps to hold the glare shield in place on the canopy bow.  It fits like it was designed to go there.  I will drill the 2-holes for the rivets.  Because I can’t spray paint at the hangar I am taking the glare shield home and will spray paint it flat black then install it sometime in the future.

I also took a few moments to visit Tom Driscol at his hanger.  Tom is nearing completion of his RV-12.  I am anxious to see it watch as he gets it into the air.

Move to Hangar Continues

This has been another difficult time.  Wade graduated from medical school last weekend.  We drove to Gilbert, AZ for the birth of their 3^rd child and his graduation.  Wade graduated from Midwestern University as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine on May 31^st.  Bennett Alistair Jespersen was born the day before at 7:00 am.  We arrived that afternoon.  We are going to help Wade move his family to Erie, PA where he will do a 3-year residency.  I drive to Gilbert on the 12^th to help finish packing and load the truck.  Arlene will fly down on the 16^th (Father's Day) and  we leave for Erie, PA on the 17^th.  It will be a 3-day drive and then we will be there for a week to help unload, unpack and set up the house.  Then Arlene and I fly back to Phoenix on the 26^th then drive back to Sandy the next day.  I hope I survive.

I have been slowly moving into the hangar.  I received permission from the Salt Lake City Department of Airports to install an additional outlet and light fixture in the hangar.  I also constructed a work bench, hung up some prints and moved more parts to the hangar.

Hangar Party

To celebrate the new hangar Arlene organized a hanger party for the family.  Those who were invited and came - Kerri and Grant and their 3-kids, Shelly and us.  We had sandwiches, chips, soft drinks and a vegetable tray.  A good time was had by all.  In the afternoons the sun shines into the hangar if the doors are open so we kept the opening small.  I set up a fan and it was OK inside.  A little warm, but tolerable.  The kids took a lot of pictures.  I will post a few of them.

The boys helped me remove the canopy.  The upper fuselage skin was torn on the side from the canopy being opened after we moved the fuselage inside last week.  I removed the skin and began to drill out the rivets holding the instrument panel attach angles.  I will order a new upper skin from Vans and replace this one.  All in all, it was a good time.  Mike Cosman, a fellow EAA'er in Chapter 23 came by with a friend and one of his grandsons.  It was like having the home teachers stop by.  We visited and he showed his group the airplane.  He said some very nice things about Van and his designs.  I plan to start working on the airplane in earnest next week.

Complete Move to Hangar

This afternoon I took some additional things to the hangar.  I am pretty much moved in and next week I will begin working on the airplane.  My plan is to come from work and spend a few hours working 2-3 afternoons a week.  Hopefully I will get the darn thing finished if I stay at it long enough.  Today I brought the work table from my shop at home.  I placed the drill press, band saw and grinder on the table.   The outlet I had Cal install is perfect.  I purchased a vacuum for the hanger.  That makes a large and small vacuum.  There is no reason to have a mess.

I hung the bulletin board on the wall and a poster I got from Mom when she moved to Boise.  I have organized things and hung them up and put parts on the shelves.  I should be able to get a lot done over the next few months.

Move Airplane to Hangar

Over the last couple of days I have made some changes and started the final move to the hangar.  On the 3^rd I had Cal Hansen an electrical contractor we use in our business install a new light fixture in the hangar.  It is a 6-tube high output fluorescent fixture with much improved overall lighting.  I also had him add an additional 4-gang duplex outlet for my drill press, band saw and grinder. 

On the 4^th my grandsons, Tim, Cameron and Kaleb helped me move the airplane to the hangar.  I brought home the 16’ flatbed trailer from work. The first thing we did was install the canopy and vertical stabilizer.  We loaded the fuselage, tool boxes, compressor and a work table on the trailer.  We then headed for the airport.

At the airport we were greeted by several individuals sitting around one of the hangars.  They came own to see what we were doing then left without saying anything.  We began the task of unloading everything.  We took off the table, compressor and tool boxes and put them inside the hangar.  Then the boys decided to roll the fuselage off of the trailer.  I had some 2x6’s to use as ramps.  They thought they had the ramps lined up OK, but half way down the right main started to roll of the edge of one of the 2x6’s.  They pushed the airplane back up the ramp, realigned the ramps and started over.  The same thing happened again.  I told them it was like watching the 3 Stooges at work.  They were finally able to get things lined up OK and the fuselage came down without any further problems.  We pushed it into the hangar, closed the door and went back for the wings.

We were able to move them to the hangar and unload without any incidents.  There are still a few things back at home that need to come out, but I will take care of that next week and hopefully begin to build again.  

While unloading the wings we had several pilots with adjoining hangars stop by to see the RV-12 and make comments and suggestions.  They were all great guys and I think this is going to be a good experience.  I learned from them that Tom Driscol has also moved into a hangar at the south end of the airport.  Tom and I have been working at about the same pace in constructing our 12’s.  I will need to go pay him a visit an see how he is coming.  He has moved ahead of me in the build and will have his bird in the air before I fly mine.