Fuselage (December 2004 - October 2007)

This section describes my progress on the fuselage. The fuselage was ordered on 10/15/04. With a 10 week delivery time, it arrived the last week of December--Merry Xmas!

Total time worked on the Fuselage: 650.5 hours

2004-12-30   6.0   -  Fuselage Kit arrives.
2004-12-31   6.0   -  Fuselage Kit Inventory.
2005-01-05   3.0   -  Fuselage Kit Inventory.
2005-01-06   0.5   -  Fuselage Kit Inventory.
2005-01-07   3.0   -  Preparing the bulkheads - firewall.
2005-01-08   5.0   -  Preparing the bulkheads - firewall.
2005-01-09   5.0   -  Preparing the bulkheads - firewall.
2005-01-11   2.0   -  Deburring the firewall.
2005-01-12   1.5   -  Alodining the firewall stiffeners.
2005-01-14   2.0   -  Dimple and start riveting the firewall.
2005-01-15   3.0   -  Riveting the firewall.
2005-01-16   4.0   -  Assembling the F-704 bulkhead.
2005-01-18   2.0   -  Assembling the F-704 bulkhead.
2005-01-23   4.0   -  Assembling the F-704 bulkhead.
2005-01-29   5.0   -  Assembling the F-704 bulkhead.
2005-01-30   5.0   -  Assembling the F-704 bulkhead.
2005-02-05   3.0   -  Assembling the F-704 bulkhead.
2005-02-11   2.0   -  Assembling the F-704 bulkhead.
2005-02-12   4.0   -  Assembling the F-704 bulkhead.
2005-02-13   5.0   -  Finish F-704 bulkhead, start F-705.
2005-02-18   2.0   -  Assembling the F-705 bulkhead.
2005-02-19   4.5   -  Assembling the F-705 bulkhead.
2005-02-20   6.0   -  Assembling the F-705 bulkhead.
2005-05-11   1.0   -  Assembling the F-705 bulkhead.
2005-05-18   2.0   -  Assembling the F-705 bulkhead.
2005-05-20   3.0   -  Assembling the F-705 bulkhead.
2005-05-25   2.0   -  Finish assembling the F-705 bulkhead.
2005-05-29   6.0   -  Assembling the F-706 bulkhead.
2005-06-01   2.0   -  Assembling the F-706 bulkhead.
2005-06-14   8.0   -  Deburring the F-707, 708, 709 bulkheads.
2005-06-16   5.0   -  Deburring the F-711, and 712 bulkheads.
2005-06-19   3.5   -  Deburring and painting the bulkheads.
2005-07-04   5.0   -  Riveting the rear bulkheads.
2005-07-06   2.0   -  Finish the rear bulkheads, cut the longerons!
2005-07-08   2.0   -  Bending the longerons!
2005-07-09   3.5   -  Bending the right longeron.
2005-07-11   3.5   -  Finishing the J-Channel.
2005-07-17   4.0   -  AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-07-20   2.0   -  AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-07-23   3.0   -  AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-07-24   3.0   -  AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-07-28   2.0   -  Debur AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-07-30   4.5   -  Debur AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-07-31   3.5   -  Debur AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-08-06   5.5   -  AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-08-07   4.5   -  AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-08-13   4.0   -  AFT Fuselage Assembly.
2005-08-14   3.5   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-08-19   2.0   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-08-20   4.0   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-08-21   5.0   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-08-23   2.0   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-08-27   3.5   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-08-28   3.5   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-09-02   5.0   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-09-03   2.0   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-09-04   4.0   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-09-05   4.5   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-09-09   3.0   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-09-10   5.5   -  Preparing the center Fuselage.
2005-09-11   5.0   -  Assembling the center Fuselage--finally.
2005-09-13   2.0   -  Assembling the center Fuselage.
2005-09-14   2.5   -  Assembling the center Fuselage.
2005-09-16   5.0   -  Assembling the center Fuselage.
2005-09-17   3.0   -  Finished assembling the center Fuselage.
2005-09-23   2.5   -  Joining the rear and center fuselage Assys.
2005-10-02   5.0   -  Joining the rear and center fuselage Assys.
2005-10-16   3.0   -  Joining the rear and center fuselage Assys.
2005-10-23   4.0   -  Drilled the longerons.
2005-11-20   0.0   -  Out of space.
2005-11-25   5.0   -  Adding the forward fuselage.
2005-11-26   3.5   -  Adding the forward fuselage.
2005-12-04   3.5   -  Installing the aux longerons (F-713).
2005-12-10   3.0   -  Installing the aux longerons (F-719).
2005-12-11   2.0   -  Installing the aux longerons (F-719).
2005-12-17   6.0   -  Installing the aux longerons (F-717).
2005-12-18   3.5   -  Installing the aux longerons (F-684 gussets).
2005-12-19   3.5   -  Installing the forward bulkheads (F-902).
2005-12-20   3.0   -  Installing the forward bulkheads (F-786C).
2005-12-21   2.5   -  Installing the forward bulkheads (F-786B).
2005-12-22   2.5   -  Installing the forward bulkheads (F-786B).
2005-12-24   2.0   -  Installing the rudder and brake pedals.
2005-12-26   3.5   -  Installing the rudder and brake pedals.
2005-12-27   3.0   -  Installing the rudder and brake pedals.
2005-12-28   3.0   -  Installing the rudder and brake pedals.
2005-12-29   4.0   -  Installing the rudder and brake pedals.
2005-12-30   1.5   -  Installing the rudder and brake pedals.
2006-01-02   4.0   -  Installing the rudder and brake pedals.
2006-01-07   6.0   -  Installing the rudder and brake pedals.
2006-01-08   4.5   -  Installing the floor stiffeners.
2006-01-14   5.0   -  The Cabin - Framing the baggage area.
2006-01-15   4.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins.
2006-01-21   3.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins.
2006-01-22   3.5   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins.
2006-01-28   3.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins.
2006-01-29   2.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins.
2006-02-04   4.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins.
2006-02-05   4.5   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins.
2006-02-12   4.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins.
2006-02-18   4.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins.
2006-02-19   4.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins - right step.
2006-02-25   5.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins - left step.
2006-02-26   4.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins - step prep.
2006-03-04   4.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins - deburring.
2006-03-05   5.0   -  Preparing to rivet the side skins - baggage nutplates.
2006-03-12   3.5   -  Riveting the side skins - center section AFT edge.
2006-04-02   2.0   -  Riveting the side skins - preparing the left side skin.
2006-04-08   3.5   -  Riveting the side skins - start with the left side.
2006-04-09   3.0   -  Riveting the side skins - start on the right side.
2006-04-15   6.0   -  Riveting the side skins - more prep.
2006-04-16   4.0   -  Fit the main gear before riveting the side skins.
2006-04-22   5.5   -  More fitting the main gear before riveting the side skins.
2006-04-23   4.5   -  Riveting the side skins - FWD section.
2006-04-29   2.0   -  Riveting the side skins - left bottom rivets.
2006-04-30   3.0   -  Riveting the side skins - right bottom rivets.
2006-05-06   3.0   -  Riveting the side skins - this and that.
2006-05-20   2.0   -  Riveting the side skins - finished.
2006-06-11   0.5   -  Tipped the canoe.
2006-06-25   4.5   -  Building the fuselage stand.
2006-07-01   1.0   -  Finishing up after the tip.
2006-07-02   4.0   -  Riveting F-714 to the AFT fuselage.
2006-07-03   4.5   -  Installing the side rails.
2006-07-04   4.0   -  Installing the side rails.
2006-07-08   4.5   -  Installing the side rails and F-695 gussets.
2006-07-09   4.0   -  F-695 gussets, F-636, and more.
2006-07-15   4.5   -  Elevator bellcrank and F-656 gusset plates.
2006-07-16   4.5   -  Fitting the AFT top skins.
2006-07-22   4.5   -  Fitting the AFT top skins.
2006-07-23   4.0   -  The baggage compartment (steps and AFT side covers).
2006-07-29   3.5   -  The baggage compartment (steps and AFT side covers).
2006-07-30   4.5   -  The baggage compartment (baggage bulkhead).
2006-08-05   6.0   -  The baggage compartment (F-706 nutplates).
2006-08-06   5.5   -  The baggage compartment (cable wear blocks).
2006-08-12   5.0   -  The baggage compartment (deburr baggage bulkhead).
2006-08-13   4.0   -  The baggage compartment (baggage bulkhead).
2006-08-19   6.0   -  AFT seat floors (left seat hindges).
2006-08-20   5.5   -  AFT seat floors and baggage floor access cover.
2006-08-26   4.0   -  Baggage floor access covers (right side).
2006-08-27   5.5   -  Baggage floor access covers (left side).
2006-09-02   4.0   -  AFT seat floors (riveting the hindges).
2006-09-03   4.0   -  FWD seat floors and control rod tunnel.
2006-09-04   4.5   -  FWD seat floors and control rod tunnel.
2006-09-05   5.0   -  Rear spar spacer, Seat backs.
2006-09-06   4.5   -  Seat backs.
2006-09-09   6.0   -  Seat backs (right seat).
2006-09-10   5.5   -  Seat backs (left seat).
2006-09-16   6.0   -  Forward covers.
2006-09-17   5.0   -  Forward covers.
2006-10-01   4.0   -  The electric flaps.
2006-10-07   5.5   -  The electric flaps.
2006-10-08   5.0   -  The electric flaps.
2006-10-14   3.0   -  The electric flaps.
2006-10-15   4.5   -  The electric flaps - done.
2006-10-21   5.0   -  Installing the landing gear mounts (RV-7A only).
2006-10-22   4.5   -  Finished installing the landing gear mounts.
2006-10-28   2.0   -  Installed the main gear legs.
2006-10-29   3.5   -  Control stick and rudder pedal assemblies.
2006-11-04   4.0   -  Futzing around before fitting the wings.
2006-11-05   5.0   -  Installing the front deck (slider only).
2006-11-11   4.5   -  Installing the front deck (framework parts).
2006-11-12   4.5   -  Installing the front deck (fake instrument pictures).
2006-11-18   3.5   -  Installing the front deck (match drill top skin).
2006-11-19   4.5   -  Installing the front deck (F-721 attach angles).
2006-11-22   5.0   -  Installing the front deck (side vents).
2006-11-24   5.0   -  Installing the front deck (top skin).
2006-11-25   3.0   -  Fixing the screw-up (top skin).
2006-12-02   0.0   -  Ready to fit the wings (a little diversion).
2006-12-22   0.0   -  Ready to fit the wings (lost motivation).
2007-05-13   0.0   -  Ready to fit the wings (need bolts).
2007-05-19   0.0   -  Ready to fit the wings (have bolts).
2007-09-02   4.5   -  Fit the right wing.
2007-09-03   1.0   -  Futzing around with the right wing flaps.
2007-09-08   4.0   -  Fabricate F-795 flap push rods.
2007-09-09   3.5   -  Finish F-795 flap push rods.
2007-09-29   1.0   -  Cutting hole for right F-795 flap push rod.
2007-09-30   2.0   -  Finish cutting hole for right F-795 flap push rod.
2007-10-13   2.0   -  Remove right wing.
  650.5    hours