Details the construction of my RV-9A wings.
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Build Hours: 280
05/01/2003 - 05/31/2003
07/01/2003 - 07/31/2003
08/01/2003 - 08/31/2003
09/01/2003 - 09/30/2003
11/01/2003 - 11/30/2003
12/01/2003 - 12/31/2003
01/01/2004 - 01/31/2004
02/01/2004 - 02/29/2004
03/01/2004 - 03/31/2004
04/01/2004 - 04/30/2004
05/01/2004 - 05/31/2004
06/01/2004 - 06/30/2004
10/01/2004 - 10/31/2004
12/01/2004 - 12/31/2004
Build Hours: 280
Current Entry
Fuel Tanks
Fuselage
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RV-9A Wing Construction Log
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Pitot tube mount
I finished the pitot tube mount prep. It's ready to rivet when the bottom skins go on.
The instructions Warren provides you assume that you haven't put the top skin on. With the top skin on, it's hard to drill the mounting plate to the wing skin. I supposed you could use a right angle drill and do it blind but here is how I did it with great results.
Instructions for installing Gretz Aero pitot mount when top skin is already riveted on.
1) First create the angle that attaches to the rib. Warren says to use a piece of .032. I used a sturdier piece of .065 angle. Drill and cleco it to the rib. Make sure you use the backing plate as a spacer so it sits flush with the rib flange.
Angle cleco'd to skin. (I took this picture later on in the process. The 4 holes in the angle you see won't get drilled until step 5.)
2) Next set the backing plate in place under the spar flange and on top of the angle. If you use a piece of AA like I did, make sure you offset it enough so that the washer plate won't sit on the angle. Match drill the holes through the spar flange into the backing plate.
Backing plate positioned. (Again, I took this picture later on in the process.)
3) Take the plate off, mark the locations of the holes to drill around the perimeter and cleco/clamp it to the bottom of the wing skin using the 3 spar flange holes. Make sure the holes are lined up perfect.
Plate cleco'd/clamped to skin.
4) Drill the holes around the perimeter, cleco'ng a few as you go. Then drill the four screw holes with #19 bit. Remove and deburr.
5) Cleco the wings skin onto the wing skeleton. Now you can match drill the four holes that go into the support angle. Also, use a marker to mark the hole that needs to be cut out for the mount to poke through the skin.
Skin in place for drilling holes into angle.
6) Remove skin. Deburr, dimple/countersink as necessary. Cut out the hole for the mount to fit through.
Starting to cut hole for mount.
I used the unibit for the first two holes, then used my router to rough cut the general shape, file to get the hole the right size and then sanded the edges smooth.
7) Rivet the nutplates to the backing plate and test fit the install.
Mounted view from inside.
Close up from outside.
(Starting on the fuel tank.)
(Time: 1.5 hours)
