Brief Description: Canopy Frame Finish Paint and Bracing
I sprayed the finish coat on the canopy frame components. While they were drying, I bolted the elevator pushrod into place. I also reinstalled the pushrod for the canopy release and installed the Whelen power supply for the strobes. I just purchased steel AN fittings for the fuel lines where they penetrate the firewall. I still needed to find the proper size washers as the ones I bought were HUGE. The fact that the plans call for aluminum rivets and AN fittings throughout the firewall made me question the use of steel fittings in only two places. I talked to an IA and another friend who has built seven or eight planes. My friend, the prolific builder, used aluminum fittings on all of his builds. We discussed the proper way to install them and minimize the risk. I decided to use the aluminum fittings and consider the $40 I spent on steel to be an educational cost. I spent the rest of the day drilling the braces to the canopy frame. When I initially flared the lightening holes, I didn't pay attention to the center piece and flared the holes in the wrong direction (one side is drilled #30 and the other #40). I spent a little time with my homemade flaring tool and reversed the direction of the flares before drilling the pieces to the frame and skin. The canopy frame is driving me nuts. Before I took it off to paint, it fit fairly well. I now have a gap on both sides between the canopy frame skin and the fuselage skin. I will work with it again tomorrow and see what changed. I spent my lunch time placing an order with B&C for their oil filter adaptor, ANL 60 amp current limiter and base, battery leads, and a BNC coax crimper. Almost forgot, I installed two "keeper rivets" to hold the bottom brace in place at the firewall opening.
