billy's plans built sonex 1735

[WesRagle]

Hey Billy,

That's great! Couldn't help but notice the airplane noises in the background. It will help your new "baby" get used to the idea. That's how the young ones learn :-)

Wes

[Rofomoto]

Hey Billy,

That's great! Couldn't help but notice the airplane noises in the background. It will help your new "baby" get used to the idea. That's how the young ones learn :-)

Wes

Lol thanx Wes. I hope it learns quickly!

[Rofomoto]

Ok. So finally ready to rivet bottom skin on forward fuselage. I noticed three 3/32” holes behind the front carry through on the lower longerons. I see they are for tricycle gear bolts. Are they just rivets for tailwheel gear plane? I can’t find any gusset or anything that might go there. Is this correct? Thanx billy

[Area 51%]

Page F01, view E-E at the bottom of the page shows the rivets for the standard gear, and the bolts for the trike.

[Rofomoto]

Page F01, view E-E at the bottom of the page shows the rivets for the standard gear, and the bolts for the trike.

Thanx Randy looked forever and couldn’t find it

[Rofomoto]

So... now ready to install the wings for last time. Should I final rivet the forward bottom skin on before or after the wings? Thanx billy

[Area 51%]

Just got back from the hangar after stabilizing the fuselage (up on sawhorses) in preparation for mounting our wings for the final time too.

Our forward skin has been riveted on for 3 years. It was not in the way during the rigging process, but, of course, has not been my friend for other aspects. Check back with me next weekend and I'll let you know how it went.

If I had to make an uneducated recommendation, it would be to install the wings with the fuselage in whatever configuration it was in during rigging. Something might get "tweaked" and cause a "misfit" otherwise.

[jaflint]

After. Keep it clecko’d.

[Rynoth]

So... now ready to install the wings for last time. Should I final rivet the forward bottom skin on before or after the wings? Thanx billy

I riveted the forward skin on prior to final wing installation. I suppose the question I'd ask myself if I had to choose between the 2 it would be: which is easier to do in case there's a very slight alignment change with the weight of the wings on the plane.... tap in 4 bolts, or tap in 100+ rivets and a dozen or so bolts.

You're probably fine either way. Assuming you're at the decision point of doing both, but only choosing which to do first (i.e. you'll do one right after the other and not leave the fwd fuselage floor removable regardless), I'd still probably do the floor first. If you want to continue to have access to the bottom of the fwd fuselage, cleco it. If you want a milestone towards completion (and maybe some grunt work later if something comes up under the panel), rivet the floor.

[Rofomoto]

So... now ready to install the wings for last time. Should I final rivet the forward bottom skin on before or after the wings? Thanx billy

I riveted the forward skin on prior to final wing installation. I suppose the question I'd ask myself if I had to choose between the 2 it would be: which is easier to do in case there's a very slight alignment change with the weight of the wings on the plane.... tap in 4 bolts, or tap in 100+ rivets and a dozen or so bolts.

You're probably fine either way. Assuming you're at the decision point of doing both, but only choosing which to do first (i.e. you'll do one right after the other and not leave the fwd fuselage floor removable regardless), I'd still probably do the floor first. If you want to continue to have access to the bottom of the fwd fuselage, cleco it. If you want a milestone towards completion (and maybe some grunt work later if something comes up under the panel), rivet the floor.

Ok.. lol got votes for both ways. But if I have to cleco floor in to mount wings I might as well rivet it in. The only reason I wanted to leave it off was for better access to wing mounting bolts. Thanx guys for the suggestions Billy