Self Fueling Certification

Today I drove to the Salt Lake International Airport and went to the badging office.  The paper was turned in so I can have the fueling icon put on my security badge.  I am now certified to fuel my own airplane.

Canopy

Today I removed the tape and protective film from the Plexiglas canopy.  After removing the film and tape I used some Plexis to clean the canopy inside and out.  It looks really good.

There are a couple of spots I need to work on.  A couple of places where the sand paper got to the Plexiglas while working on the fiberglass shroud.  I can order a Plexiglas polishing kit and take the scratches out.  I will do that sometime soon.

It's Starting To Look Like An Airplane

Today I was at the hangar to do some cleaning and re-arranging in preparation for a meeting with the Airport Director and the Airport Fire Marshall.  I move some tables and rearranged some of the equipment since the wings are on the airplane and the wing rack is empty.  South Valley Regional offers 100LL and Jet A fuel only.  No auto gas.  In order to fuel the airplane I had to have the proper equipment and demonstrate the proper way to fuel the airplane.  Before they arrived I took some photos.

To be certified I had to show how to fuel the airplane.  I pulled it out to the taxi line.  I retrieved the fire extinguisher from the hangar and put it next to the RV-12.  I put the fuel cans next to the airplane and attached the ground wire, one end to the fuel can and one end to the gas can.  After asking a few questions the Airport Fire Marshall signed my application and told me I have been certified to fuel my own airplane.  I need to go to the badging office at Salt Lake International and have them put a fueling icon on my airport security badge.

Wings, Canopy, Air Filters

Today I took Tim, my grandson to the hangar.  Tim is still in the process of getting enough driving hours to be able to get his license.  I had him do all of the driving today.  When we arrived at the hangar we moved some of the work tables and stands around so we could install the wings.  We started by installing the air filters onto the carburetors.   We removed the yellow caps, installed and then safety wired the air cleaners.

We moved some more work tables and then installed the canopy.  We stacked some washers on the inside of the pivot points on each side to space the canopy arms far enough away to keep them from catching on the upper fuselage skin.  I used some Krazy Glue to hold them in place.  We then installed the bolts.  We also connected the canopy supports.  It works just great.  I need to remove the plastic film and clean the canopy on the inside and the outside.

After installing the canopy we started to work on the wings.  We pulled the airplane forward in the hangar to have better clearances and access on all sides.  We rolled the wing rack to the front of the hangar and removed the left wing from the rack. We jockeyed it into place and while Tim pushed I guided it into the wing receptacles on the side of the fuselage.  The wing almost went in all of the way, but no, it was a fraction of an inch from being seated.  The spar pins would not go in.  I tried the tool I had made last year, but again, it would not go in.  I had Tim drive us to Harbor Freight where I purchased a light pipe expander.  I put it into the spar bushings and it pulled the wings into line so we could insert the spar pins.  After returning from the airport I emailed Steve Jackson at the SLC Airport Authority to begin the process of being certified to do self fueling.  I will need to put some fuel in the tank soon so I can start the engine.

Miscellaneous Items At The Hangar

Today I hung several pictures I took out of my office at work.  These pictures are of B-17's, my Dad and other miscellaneous stuff.  The walls of the hangar are filling up.

I also riveted the turtle deck skins on the left and right side of the fuselage.  I attached the left side first.

I moved over to the right side and did the same thing.  I also put a note next to the fuel tank cap reminding me to seal vent holes drilled into the cap.  With the new vent system installed the vent holes in the fuel tank cap are not needed.  

I installed the length of Velcro below the left side turtle deck to hold the left side rear baggage carpet in place.  I had previously punched holes in the Velcro strip to allow the rivets to protrude through.  It seems to have worked.  The sidewall baggage carpet will be installed after the inspection.  

After that I sealed the instrument compartment as required by SB 13-12-12.  I applied some liquid Boelube to the underside of the upper fuselage skin and put a 1/16^th inch bead of black RTV along the edge of the support then installed the skin.  

I also secured the upper edge of the instrument panel to the upper fuselage skin with black screws and washers.

The last thing I did today was put the rear window in place with a few clecoes to hold it there.  I will seal and install the fasteners along the turtle deck skin tomorrow.  It is difficult to see the rear window but it is there none the less.  I need to get my "Self Fueling" information sent in to the SLC Airport Authority so I can put fuel in the tank in the next few days.  I also need to call the DAR and they fellow I have asked to paint the airplane and make some final arrangements for the inspection and for the paint.  This project is beginning to come to a close.

Fuel Tank, Turtle Decks and Fuel Cans

Today I worked on several different items.  I prepped the fuel tank and installed it in the fuselage.  

After it was bolted in place I connected the new fuel vent to the tank fitting.  I also attached the fuel line and the fuel return line to the bottom of the tank.  I also reinstalled the ELT back onto the bracket behind the co-pilot position.

After installing the fuel tank I attached the turtle deck pieces to the fuselage.  They are ready to be riveted in place.    

I attached the experimental placard to the baggage are rear bulkhead.  

I also laid out the location of the hole in the fuel tank fitting access panel.  I drilled the panel with a 1" hole saw and installed the grommet I modified earlier.  After certification I am going to put the drain I fabricated under the tank.  I will require cutting, installing a fitting and flaring the fuel line to make the connection.

I turned my attention to my fuel cans.  I have 2-5 gallon fuel cans I am planning to use for self-fueling of the airplane.  This is a picture of the cans with the flexible spouts installed.  I also have the ground cable and the Mr. Fuel filter.  I need to file my self-fueling request with the Airport Authority.

Brake Lines and Fuel Tank to Hangar

I found some more air bubbles in the brake lines.  Today Tim and I pumped in more brake fluid and pushed the bubbles around.  He tapped on the toe brakes and tapped on the master cylinders as I pumped fluid into the system.  Of course we  did that after extracting brake fluid from the reservoir so it wouldn't over flow.  After working on it for a while the bubbles disappeared.  I don't know what happened to them.  We'll wait and see.  All I know is the brake pedals are firm, no sponginess and no leaks.  We put all of the brake fluid, oil pump and big syringe away and left the fuel tank on the work table.  

I put the rear window on the wing rack with some wire hooks.  I also hung a picture of Frank Lloyd Write's 'Falling Waters' on the hangar wall.

Conclude Pressure Test and Paint Front of Fuel Tank

Today I concluded the pressure test on the fuel tank following the modifications.  As my previous photo shows the pressure test held from 11:36 am to 1:45 pm.  I checked it again at 9:00 pm and found the balloon had burst.  I put on a new balloon and stated the test again.  This time I let some of the air out of the balloon so it had room to expand if necessary.  I started the test at 9:05 pm (Saturday night) with a photo of the balloon/tank.  I took another photo at 7:45 pm the next day (Sunday) and the balloon was still up. 

I took the final photo at 12:00 noon today (Monday).  The balloon has held for 39 hours.  I deem the test a success.

I began to prep the tank for painting.  I masked around the tank and cleaned the surface with MEK.  I applied a coat of primer.

After the primer dried I sanded the tank and applied a second coat of primer.

After the second coat of primer dried I applied a finish coat.  I will be able to reinstall the tank in a couple of days.

Air Test Fuel Tank

Today I went to the hangar to retrieve the fuel tank.  I want to do the air pressure test in my shop at home.  I gathered together the parts necessary to perform the test.  I brought everything home and proceeded to prep the tank for the test.  I put a cap on the new vent fitting installed next to the filler inlet.  I also put a cap inside of the rubber connection hose on the tank filler neck fitting and tightened the clamps.  I attached the air valve tube to the return fuel fitting on the bottom of the tank.  

I then attached a balloon to the fuel fitting on the bottom of the tank. 

I used a bicycle tire pipe to pump air into the tank.  I pumped in air until the balloon inflated.  I marked the time and date on the balloon and the test began.  I will check it later on.

I checked the balloon a couple of hours later and it is still inflated.  I am taking that to be a good sign.

I also found air in the brake lines once again.  I will get Tim to help me get it out once and for all.