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The tail is all bolted and riveted. You can see our pitot pressure test. It passed.

You're really getting close Bryan! I can't wait to see your airplane when it's completed! Have you decided on what you're installing into the panel?

Mike,
My panel will be simple. I have a Brauniger Alpha MFD for my primary display. It is a simple tech LCD screen which gives all my pitot static and engine data. I have a King navcom radio, a G meter, and an old transponder which I am trying to decide if I should install. I also have an electric turn needle.

Hi bryan,
Now you have the two most fun things left, the canopy and cowling!
WaiexN143NM
Michael

Michael or anybody,
What first-cowl or canopy? I would like to minimize or eliminate the coke bottle look.

Meanwhile we have pinned on the ruddervators. I even bent the hinge pins for retention as though I was serious. The right ruddervator is hooked up but we still have to fix clearance issues and rig. It is cool to see it move with the stick though.


I discovered my hardware kit is missing two rod ends. Bummer.

Hi bryan,
I'd do the cowl next , panel, hook everything up fwf, controls , wiring, paint on fiberglass parts, prop on, lexan wind screen, engine run? U may want to wait a couple months till it warms up there in chicagoland before u bending, drilling that plexi canopy . Dont crack it!

WaiexN143NM
Michael

By far, for me the cowl was the most frustrating. Had I done that first I would have thought the canopy was a cake walk. :D
I am told the new cowl from Sonex is MUCH less frustrating to install but aint cheap!

Definitely cowl before windshield / canopy. To do that the engine has to be mounted.
A straight edge along the top of the cowl to set the height of the windshield bow results in a nice smooth transition to the canopy.
Happy Landings
John
N50NX

I agree - too cold to mess with the canopy right now. I did that myself in the colder temps, and it cracked several days after assembly. It was the old material though, not the newer "Sonplex" which appears to be very durable.

I did engine install and all cockpit and wiring related stuff first, then glareshield and windshield. Following earlier experiences from the group, I just set the windshield as absolutely high as the bow would take it. Once the windshield is in place, then the cowl. It will be warm out by the time you get that done, then you can jump to the canopy next. It really is much easier to work with when warmer out. You would remove the canopy anyway after fitting it because you will be in/out of the cockpit getting the dash and everything installed.

Lorin

I and others had found that if you push the canopy bow up as far as the supplied Lexan windshield material allows (about 5/8" or so), it not only gives a bit more headroom, but also a cleaner line than the position shown on drawings. This is assuming Sonex still supplies the Lexan slightly over-sized.

David A. Sonex # 1327