(18-2 step 1): On your mark… Get set…
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… GO!!! Angela got to work straightening & fluting the tank ribs.
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(Section 19... even though we said we weren't doing Section 19): Ok,
this is gonna take some 'splainin'… We're not installing the
Van's stall warning system, however we are installing the access panel
from the same section of the plans. In fact we're installing one
in both wings so we had to order an extra. You see, due to
multiple reasons (future availability of aviation fuel, unsure of our
exact engine, unsure of our exact fuel injection system, etc, etc,
etc...) we're going to do like a bunch of RV-10 builders and install a
port in the fuel tanks to allow the attachment of a fuel return line
incase we need it in the future. Chances are we won't, but it's
easier now, and not that big of a deal to install it and cap it
off. I think the biggest issue was deciding how to do it.
Quite a few builders install it on the wing root side of the tank, and
we seriously considered that, but there's a lot of stuff in that area
& I wasn't sure where to put it that wouldn't cause interference
with the existing fuel lines, the aileron torque tubes, etc. In
addition, since the fuel returned to the tank would be quite hot its
not a good idea to just dump it back in the tank at the wing root since
the fuel pickups are right there. So, going in the wing root side
requires plumbing a line inside the tank across a few bays so the hot
fuel is mixed with the cool fuel in the tanks away from the
pickup. Instead, I decided to take the easy way out now and
install a fitting for the return line in the outboard side of the
tank. It's a minimum of work now, but should we need it in the
future, will require a bit more work then since we'll be running a line
behind the tank. Anyway, Angela mentioned it would be a good idea
to be able to inspect the caps on the fittings, and these access panels
are in the perfect place to do that. So, here we are!
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(19-2 step 2): First up is to cleco the double plate in the proper location.
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(19-2 step 3):
After that I match drilled the 4 nutplate attachment holes in the
corners to the skin and clecoed them. These holes are used to
identify the corners of the area to cutout in the skin. After
that, I match drilled all the holes around the outer edge of the
doubler plate into the skins. These holes are the ones that will
be used to rivet the doubler plate to the skin (on the inside).
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(19-2 step 4): After the holes were drilled, I used a unibit to open the 4 corner holes up to 1/2".
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Then just simply connect the edge of the holes with a line to mark where to cutout.
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And then using the same technique for the landing light cutouts I finished the cutout for the access panels. (Note: Don't forget to check that the access plate actually fits in this cutout... I did...)
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(19-2 step 6): Next
all the rivet and screw holes in the doublers & panels were final
drilled to remove burrs. The plans didn't say to do this for the
screw holes so I tried dimpling a couple… they both
cracked. So, I final drilled the remaining ones. Anyway,
here are the panels and doublers after dimpling.
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