April 3rd – Last week was a busy one round here. My buddy Howard came to help me for a few days, so the first thing we did was to get the fuselage safely strapped down to the trailer.

We used about every ratchet strap that I own and then headed to the airport…

We unloaded into the hangar and started getting prepped for putting the wings on. The first step was to permanently mount the flaps and ailerons, then connect all the pushrods.

And then there was nothing to stop us putting the wings on.

We then ran in to a bit of a snag with the wing root seal. I remember it being a beast of a job when I first mounted the wings, and it wasn’t any easier this time round. First time, I actually caused some skin damage doing it, and we were heading the same way, using way more force than I was comfortable with, and not achieving anything. I decided to abandon this method, and will explore different options at a later time.

It was still a glorious moment, I have wings with functioning control surfaces.

The flaps and ailerons need rigging, but I wanted to make the most of Howard’s expertise so we moved on to other tasks, the first of which was to carry out the task listed on page 0 of the EAA Flight Test Manual; the fuel flow test. I have no doubt, and have read other builders accounts, that this will easily comply with the requirement to supply 150% of the manufacturer’s published Wide Open Throttle setting of 6.5-7 gallons per hour.

After running the numbers, I have figures of around 50 gallons per hour. No worries there then, another box checked.

Next was to mount the propellor. To make certain that it is indexed in the correct position, we had to establish where Top Dead Center on cylinder #1 was. We removed the rocker covers and spark plug, positioned the crank accordingly and mounted the propellor.

Next task, fill with engine oil, mark the dipstick and turn the engine over with the starter to prime the pump and lines.

After that, it just seemed silly not to put some gas in and see what happens…

IMG_6065

(That should link to a video, but you might have to download it first.)

And with that my friends, we seem to have an airplane.

The first start was successful, as was the second a few moments later, but some squawks were highlighted, primarily a high oil pressure reading. There will be some tweaking required on a few other things as well, but I think it’s safe to say that I now have a plane, as opposed to a bunch of components.

I will post again to document the final steps, but the lion’s share of this project is done.

Wow, what a trip…