Still on page 10-14
Before the side skins are attached to the structure a couple of wiring harnesses have to be routed loosely. This is because the wires sit on the top of the left side middle J Stiffener, and once assembled the plugs won’t fit through the cutouts in the bulkheads. It took a while to get my head around harness WH-00057 … in fact I’m still trying to find out at the moment if mine is correct. The manual implies there are two TP881 Green wires, and mine only has one. But the test paperwork that comes with the harness only mentions one TP881. So I’m pretty sure that the manual is incorrect, but we’ll see?
Longerons and J Stiffeners
Assembly of the structure begins with it upside down on suitable tressles … this seems a good plan since the cutouts in the bulkheads are orientated so that when the stiffeners are lodged in place in preparation for attaching the L side skin they don’t fall out. Well, that’s the theory. The wiring harness in the middle one made it continually fall out, so some temporary taping needed.
Things become secure once the skin is clecoed. Having a helper for this stage made it much easier!
The manual suggests you turn everything right way up to attach the right side pieces. But we found it easier to keep it upside down, since the cutouts in the bulkheads again helped support the stiffeners prior to attaching the side skin. Also a bit easier to cleco maybe. But you have to find a support for the narrow rear which fits inside the restricted width available.
Once all clecoed in place and secure, the rear can again be supported on a tressle. The two longerons extend a long way at the front, and look a bit vulnerable….hence the yellow boxes! Don’t want to walk into them and cause havoc!
2 comments on Still on page 10-14
Hi, just want to thank you for your blog. I generally look at several builder’s blogs I’ve found to “read ahead” when I start a section and yours is the best. I’m not really blog savvy so I’m use the EAA Builder’s Log but realize what you’ve built takes a lot of time and expertise. I’m a retired St. Louis Public Schools teacher so working my build “full time.” I often come back to yours to get a sense for where I’m going–so big thanks. My wife and I live across the Mississippi in Southern Illinois. If you’re ever in the Midwest after this crazy pandemic, please stop by. (I’m about a week into the aft fuselage build and with warm weather forecast today and tomorrow, I’m hoping to clean and prime the last half of the section components–tedious.)
Hi Frank
Thank you indeed for your kind comments, very much appreciated. I’m glad you are finding the blog useful … I have certainly found other people’s blogs invaluable. In fact I don’t think I would have embarked on this project without the wealth of advice available.
I’m a recently retired BA A380 pilot (all our lovely A380’s are parked up waiting for the pandemic to recede), so I too am able to spend lots of time building. There is lots to do : )
Good luck with your RV14.
Best wishes
Steve