Trim Setting, Canopy Seal, N-Number, PAP

Today I worked on the trim settings again.  I calibrated the trim setting again.  If I set the AST trailing edge at 1-7/8" above the stabilator trailing edge in the full-up position the green line on the trim tab readout is at the half-way point.

If I set the green line on the trim tab readout at a point 1/3 from the bottom the distance between the AST trailing edge and the stabilator trailing edge is 2-1/8".  I decided to work on the PAP.  I discovered that when the  stabilator trailing edge is full-up and the trim is set at full nose-up the distance between the AST trailing edge and the stabilator trailing edge is ¾" (normal distance: 9/16").  When the  stabilator trailing edge is full-down and the trim is set at full nose-down the distance between the AST trailing edge and the stabilator trailing edge is ½" (normal distance: 3/8").  I am going to try adjusting the AST pushrod so the distances are normal.  I will then recheck the trim setting and see where the green line is located with the 1-7/8" distance set on the AST/stabilator.  The PAP is complete with the exception of the engine and fuel.  I still need to put fuel in the tank and run the engine.  Hopefully I will be able to do both next week.  I am also hoping to have my certification inspection next week.  Tom Gierhart, the DAR is in Colorado this week.  He is planning to be back next week.  

I continued to work on the canopy seal.  I installed the seal on the side rails and on the forward portion of the canopy.  I will need to install the canopy to go any further.  I cannot install it until Dave has painted the ends of the canopy arms red.

I also marked the location of the wing seals on the fuselage with a blue marker.  I also looked at the instruction for installing the wing walk surfaces.  I decided to paint on some wing walk compound I purchased from Aircraft Spruce.  I will wait for the weather to moderate a little before I do so.  

I also installed the N-number on the vertical stab.  It looks like a real airplane.

Install Wings and Weigh Airplane

Today I went to the hangar and started putting things inside so I can do the weight and balance.  I put the seat supports and seat cushions in place.  I also put the upholstery in place in the airplane.  I put the RV-12 on the nose.  I think it looks good.  I also attached the final checklist and flight information placards I received from John Albury on the panel.

This afternoon I  checked the distances on the AST for the full up and full down trim conditions.  With the trim full up and the stick full forward the AST measures 11/16" from the center of the AST trailing edge to the center of the stabilator trailing edge.  In the full trim down with the stick full back the trim to stabilator measurement is ½".  

I also set the take-off trim condition at 1-7/8" up with the stick full back.  The green line on the trim setting on the Skyview is just below the ½ mark.  

It is supposed to be up 1/3 from the bottom.  If I set the green line at 1/3 up from the bottom the distance from the AST trailing edge and the stabilator trailing edge is only 1-5/8"  I will do some investigating  to see what this all means.  I am going to check the length of the AST pushrod and make sure the distance is correct.  If it is not that might be the reason the green line is so far up the scale.  I will remove the tail cone fairing and check the measurement.  

Tim came back to the hangar with me and we installed the wings.  We rolled the airplane outside and took some photos. 

We also rolled the airplane on some ramps and scales to get the weight for the weight and balance calculations. 

I also chalked a line along the leading edge of the wing using a plumb bob to locate the line on the hangar floor. I used  a framing square to locate the center of the axle bolts and measured to the line from the nose wheel and from the main gear.  I can now complete the Weight & Balance Work Sheet for PAP.  

Reassembly Continues

The first thing I did today was remove the upper tail cone fairing.  I realized last night that I did not torque the 2-AN4 bolts holding the stabilator in place.  I torqued them this morning then reinstalled the upper tail cone fairing.   

Next I then installed the upper fuselage skin.  I neglected to take photos, but after the upper fuselage skin I installed the canopy, engine cowlings and spinner.  

At that point I rolled the fuselage outside and took a couple of photos.  The wind was blowing and it deflected the rudder as you can see in the straight on shot.

I pushed the airplane back into the hangar only to discover I was too close to the wing.  In my efforts to move it over I scratched the top of the wing with the stabilator.  My first hangar rash. 

That only goes along with some other damaged paint from the reassembly process.  There is a spot just behind the engine cowl by the exhaust pipe.  There is a spot under the leading edge of the left flaperon.  I have certainly caused some problems putting this thing back together. 

There is also a need to do some painting on the upper fuselage skin.  After the reassembly I have decided to do the stripe at the canopy arms a little differently than originally planned.  I was going to have Dave paint some white in the recessed area at the canopy arm attachment point.  I've decided not to do that.  I will just have him paint the strip across the lower fuselage skin and let it go at that.  I am happy with the way that area has turned out.

The forward ends of the canopy arms also need to be repainted with red paint.  Dave is going to do this when he paints and touches up the white.  I removed the canopy so he can get to the forward sections of the arms.

I also started working on installing the canopy seal kit.  

I labeled them and notched the slots in the seal retainer strips and deburred and cleaned them with a Scotch Brite pad. 

I took them home, primed them and put on a coat of interior paint.  They will be ready for installation tomorrow.

Reassembly

Today I checked the FAA website.  I did an N-number search and found they issued my registration dated May 1, 2014.  I emailed the FAA Title Company and re quested the send me a "fly wire" temporary registration so I can proceed to have the DAR certification inspection.  I have not heard anything from them as of this evening.  I spent several hours at the hangar putting the airplane back together.  I also went to Sign*A*Rama and ordered some new N-numbers in a dark red vinyl.  It will not be a perfect match but it should be close enough.  I also ordered a pair of RV-12 letters 2" high to put on the wide red stripe on the lower cowl.  I hope it turns out OK.  I started to assemble the airplane by installing the vertical stab.  I bolted it in place and torque the bolts.  I printed little labels showing the torque values and put them on the forward and rear attachment points for future reference. 

I also installed the trim tab on the rudder.

I installed the rudder and hooked up the rudder control cables.  I then began to install the stabilator.  I propped the stabilator on the backs of the plastic chairs on top of some moving pads.  I sharpened some pieces of ¼" dowels to inset into the bolt holes to hold the stabilator on the tail.  It worked really well.  I removed one of the dowels and installed the bolt.  Then I removed the second dowel and install that bolt. I torqued the bolts and proceeded to install the AST.  

That turned out to be a fairly simple procedure.  The whole thing went together fairly well.  It did take some ingenuity to get all of the control cables attached without loosening them but I did it.

I even put the placards on the AST and the fuel filler above the fuel cap.

I installed the flaperons on the wings.  

I also installed the wing tip lighting.  Tomorrow I will start working on the forward end with the engine cowling, the fuselage upper skin and the canopy.

Delivery of Airplane

Over the last couple of days Dave has been delivering the airplane back to the hangar.  Today he brought back the last few parts including the canopy, the engine bowl and some small misc. parts.  It is now all back in the hangar.  Dennis King, who has the hangar next door came over and just raved about the paint job.  Of course I think it looks pretty fantastic, but I am the proud owner.  Next week I am planning to start putting it back together for the inspection.