Sonex Build Status and Completion Photos

[Sonex1517]

Yep - it's time for an update. Along with a lot of other things going on, I have been focusing a lot on my project recently and the work has paid off.

Been working on my right wing extensively the past several months. I have the wing frame riveted together, and this evening clecoed the aft upper wing skin in place (too late for the photos). The leading edge and lower aft wing skin are being put on this week and it will be time to rivet.

A few photos....and hope to report a riveted wing in a week or so. Then it will be on to finish the control surfaces and then the fuselage....


Robbie
Sonex 1517

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[Sonex1517]

Right wing is completely riveted! A big day!!

On to the wingtip and then control surfaces.


Robbie
Sonex 1517

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[MichaelFarley56]

Looking great Robbie! Keep up the good work!! You'll have the other wing done in no time!

[Sonex1517]

Mike, this was the right wing, the left one was done over Christmas break....

Looks much better with a wingtip, dontcha think?

Robbie
Sonex 1517

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[Sonex1517]

Quick update on Sonex 1517 progress.

Rear fuselage is now complete and partially polished. I have finished the right forward fuselage side panel and riveted it, and am working on the left forward fuselage side panel.

Both wings and the tail are complete so I am getting closer to having something that resembles a Sonex!

blue skies
Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland

[Sonex1517]

Not sure why tapatalk's iPad app duplicated that photo...but.....


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[MichaelFarley56]

It looks like you're doing a first class job Robbie! Everything looks great!

Hopefully you can continue this quick progress and have the basic fuselage put together quickly. Do you have enough room in your garage to put the wings in place, measure the angles, and drill the wing pin holes? I remember not being able to finish the forward side angles and lower fuselage attach angles for the seats and seatbelts until that was done. Hopefully you've got room!

[Sonex1517]

Thanks Mike!!

I have room to finish the fuselage, including fw forward, but not enough width to install the wings.

We will be doing the wings in the driveway...in Chicagoland...in late winter....

Strategy now is to build myself out of parts, buy the control kit and the engine mount and landing gear and get that done. I also have wires to run and an instrument panel to assemble. I have all my steam gauges and am holding off on the engine analyzer as long as possible in hopes someone comes out with a wireless unit I can use with my iPad mini.

Once all that is done we can work on installing the wings....so a long winded answer to your question would be no....not in the garage.

If this ends up being before it gets warmer then I will be polishing the rest of the airplane.

[Sonex1517]

Couple of shots of the side panels in progress....


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[Bryan Cotton]

Looks good Robbie! Hopefully we get one of those famous mild Chicagoland winters for the wings.