Finished Interior & Finish Line Punch List

Finished Interior

Throughout the build I've posted various pictures of the interior during the different stages.  Today I did some of the final placarding and cleaning.  I essentially went with the full interior from Aerosport Products. Their products and service is top notch, they even helped me figure out color scheme and stand behind their products.  Case in point I broke one of the control horns for the rudder trim, they sent me a replacement, no questions asked.

The panel, everything mounted in it and the harnesses were all done by Steinair Inc. Likewise they were immensely helpful working with me on the design and what components to use.  They fielded numerous calls from me on all sorts of questions which really helped with the moderately painful process of getting everything wired up. I've done plenty of system tests and have had zero issues with the harness. I've had issues but it's always been something that I did incorrectly.

Here is a good set of photos taken today...

Punch List

I see the finish line but I'm not there yet.  I'm down to a handful of things, some have to be done before final inspection and a few things can be done while I'm flying.

• Fiberglass Work - I had to revisit some of my previous fiberglass work and essentially make a larger gap between the prop bulkhead and intakes.  That's completed but something I need to do now is move my RamAir intake inlet back a bit.  Where it is now and the width of the prop would cause an issue at full pitch.  Will take a bit of time but not overly worried about doing it.
• Control Cable Bracket - You can see in previous entries what I did to mount the control cables.  Based on my engine runs I wasn't happy with the movement.  It's not really linear and the throttle cable conflicts with the fuel and AC lines.  Following the plans that Larry put out on VAF I'm going to fabricate a new one.  This will move the mixture and throttle to the same side, correcting the hose conflict.  It will also put the cable in the direct position for proper push-and-pull function.
• FWF Work - There are several tasks I need to complete as a result of the primary engine tests.  One is to install the new Oil Cooler that Bill from AirFlow Systems promptly replaced.  I'll need to drop the fuel servo to connect cable bracket I'm going to make and then set all the proper cable throws.  Then it's time to work on my safety wiring skills on both the alternator bracket and propeller hub. I'm also going to figure out a method to cover the firewall mounted shunts with something non-conductive just as a protective measure.
• Weight & Balance - Once all the above is done I will then commission the help of Brian and his guys to get her weighed and see the result of all the extras I bolted on.

That's about it prior to my inspection.  I've already been in contact with the DAR and he's helping me ensure I have the information to have everything ready.  There are several other things that I plan on doing during phase one and prior to paint.  I'm slated for paint in April so my hope is a few months to conduct Phase 1 and wrap up any immediate things I want to do.  A new W&B will be done after paint so if I add a few things here and there then it will all be accounted for then.

• 91.411/413 Tests - These are your altimeter, static and transponder tests.  Because this is an IFR capable traveling machine, I will need these before flying into controlled airspace or filing IFR anywhere. If I can get these done prior to flying I will try, however no one on the field does it and I can't seem to find anyone in the OKC area that will travel out and do these.
• Air-conditioner - You can see my receiver air transitions poking through the top of the bulkhead.  Again working with Bill to get some covers that will slide on the top of these and finish them out a bit.  Additionally I may change up the way I have my air delivery to include a cabin flood vent along with the overhead air.  Additionally I'll need to connect all the lines and charge the system.  I don't plan on doing that however until it warms up.
• Parking Brake - I have a parking brake installed. It's not leaking however I haven't tightened the control cable.  This I'll probably connect and test prior to flying but it's not really a priority until I start parking at random airports.
• Fabricate/Install Gustlock -  Seems there are several systems out there for gust locks.  I've seen Greg's solution a number of times and it's really slick.  I've ordered the pieces so at some point will get this on the plane as my gust lock solution.  I'm going to start just with the rudder lock.
• Wash Exterior - This plane is absolutely filthy!  There is hangar dust on every service of her and she could use a good bath.  I'm not worried about scratches and what not that will get fixed during paint but I guess I would gain a good knot or two with a proper wipe down.

I'm sitting at 1359 hours spent on actual construction activities right now.  With what I have left above to do I'm going to guess I'll be done somewhere around 1400 hours. That's with the quickbuild so if I hadn't done that I would be maybe halfway through.