Twisted: Week 185 - Engine inventory and other stuff

Friday, 27 February 2015

Week 185 - Engine inventory and other stuff

Hours to date: 1663.5

I'm pretty close to getting the upholstery done. Unfortunately there is a 3 week delay with the parachute I ordered so I won't be able to get any progress on the upholstery until the parachute arrives.

I need to wear the parachute sitting in the seat to make sure everything is comfortable and no extra padding is required in the back area.

The side pocket carbon panel is all ready to be covered, I've just got to paint the headrest area and wait for the parachute.

The lower fuselage access cover is done. I think it's worth the extra effort - Pete just uses a thin fiberglass cover over the top - but I want to protect the fuel lines that lie underneath this cover properly - hence the cover with fibrefrax and cool it tape - the same standard as the rest of the front of the fuse. Otherwise I would end up with a 'weak point' in the fire protection.

I've bolted in the oil cooler and done the edges with a foam draft sealer to help seal it. I'll also add some RTV when I put the ducts on to make everything air tight.

The battery cables have also been secured with composite screw posts and p-clips.

Onto the engine.

I did an inventory of the parts supplied and there are a few things still to come, namely engine mount washers and a capacitor, plus the throttle linkages.

Disappointingly the prop flange was the wrong size - 55mm as opposed to the 90mm that I'd ordered. I'm going for the longer flange to help streamline the cowling and incorporate the round inlet holes in the cowl.

Finally I had a quick look at positioning the ECU. As you can see below I intend to put this on the inside top of the safety cell - above the rudder pedals. I will make a carbon cover over it to prevent a wayward foot from kicking the cables.