Darick's Sonex #1646

[SonexN76ET]

Darick,

Your aircraft build is coming along very nicely. It looks like you have superb workmanship.

May I suggest you consider incorporating a hartwell latch on your fuel door? It will make opening and closing the fuel door much more convenient. Once you start flying you will greatly appreciate the convenience of a hartwell latch.

There is not much you can do about the hinge. Once your plane is painted and fully assembled with prop, cowling fasteners and the like, you will barely notice it.

Thanks,

Jake

[Darick]

Thanks Jake for the complements and suggestions.

I have a hartwell latch but the door would have to be extended way beyond the fuel fill box to make enough room for it. The door would then not get past the tank vent, causing me to make another one with more of an "S" shape to it.

Perhaps after opening/closing the cover a few thousand times I'll finally get tired of it and install the latch and make a new vent.

I'm so close to finishing I hate to add more items on the "to-do" list. I'd really like to be flying in a month or two.

[SonexN76ET]

I will try to post a picture of my fuel door with the hartwell latch. It is the same dimensions as the plans call for. Mush easier to do it before you paint or do any final finishing on the cowling.

Jake

[SonexN76ET]

This is my fuel door prior to final finish and paint with the Hartwell latch.

There is a small aluminum strip underneath the passenger side of the opening for the rule door about 3/8ths of an inch wide that runs the length of the opening that the latch secures to when you close it.

Kip originally shared this idea with me. You can see his on YouTube under his Waiex walk around video.

Jake

[Darick]

Ok Jake, you convinced me. Can you believe I worked all day on installing the Hartwell latch?! Well, I did! Since I have the screw on fuel cap, which takes up most of the space in the filler neck, there was very little room to fit the latch. Plus I had to make the latch tang three times (make it thrice to make it nice per Bryan) to get the right height for a good snug fit...two pictures below. Tomorrow I'll actually finish riveting everything and post a picture.
...you can see the black gas cap takes up much of the room...


...just another view of the two really difficult rivets...one from the outside of the filler neck and one from the inside...


In the picture above, the southco receptacle, which I abandoned in favor of the hartwell latch, is still riveted in place. I may just leave it there.

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
For anyone useing southco fastners, a much better fastner (abit more $) much better quality and looking is the skybolt ss fastners.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[Darick]

The hartwell latch installed. I have a small spring ordered that will fit on the hinge to keep the door open when not latched.

You can also see I've added a small access door over top of the oil fill cap. The oil fill cap is really tight and a little difficult to open but still better than having to remove the cowl. Yesterday I started adding oil to the engine and marking the dipstick.

I just had to temporarily put the prop on as it gives a good sense of accomplishment. On this photo you can also see three southco fasteners on the front. Like Jeff Shultz (others too I guess) did, I added another fastener BELOW the smiley face air inlet, plus I added one more below that, making the bottom hinge shorter than what the plans show.


Ok the cowl is DONE! Now I can send for my "right of passage" plaque.

[kevinh]

ooh sexy. Looks great.

[samiam]

Looks awesome Darick! Let's get you in the air.

[Darick]

Double latch mod completed...welded. It will keep the canopy open 1-3/8". I did a paper mock up first which you can see in the first picture.


Weld cleaned up and ready for assembly.