Forwad belly skin fit problems

[N814W]

Anyone else have trouble with the cabin belly skin? I joined the fuselage today, and everything lined up shockingly well except the aft edge of the cabin belly skin. The whole row is a pilot hole's diameter too far forward...

[dhogue]

I encourage you to contact Sonex Tech Support on this one.

because

I recently finished joining the forward and aft fuselage per the plans. The belly skin pilot holes lined up with no problem.

...AFTER one issue I did experience along that line:

...The lower cross-tie (that the fore/aft bottom skins join to the internal fuselage) was bent too low on the bottom bend so the for/aft and cross-tie holes did not align (by about pilot hole's diameter) but also the bottom skins could not mate flush with the bottom longerons.

Solution: I emailed Sonex Tech Support with an explanation and picture of the area of issue. They acknowledged the part was shaped incorrectly and replaced it with no problem in a timely manner. I have had a couple of other parts that did not match details in the plans and caused issues. Once I showed Sonex, with pictures and descriptions they were quick to respond and replace them.

Hope this helps.

[N814W]

Thanks for the feedback, Don. I've sent Kerry a message with pics.

So often I find errors in either the parts or the drawings, I never know when it's me or them with this thing...

Every other hole lined up. I rechecked side skin overlap at the top and bottom, both sides, and they're all at an inch give or take a 1/64". Even where the belly skin is cut for the tail cone taper is exactly at the seam. I was absolutely sick thinking I botched something major, but after checking, I'm pretty sure it wasn't me this time.

Thanks again for the feedback!