After riveting the side skins I did some final fitting of the control sticks and weldment. I removed the false spar spacers from F-604 so I could cleco the brackets for the control weldment to the spar carrythough. I was able to install and remove the controls with no problem, having the one split rib is plenty to provide access. The manual states that splitting two ribs is an option to allow better access, I didn't take that option and am happy with the access as is.
As all of the other builder I spoke to have, I had to notch the cent four seat ribs to allow full forward stick travel. It would have made sense for Vans to account for this in the design of the seat ribs, but the notch isn't significant. You can see the notches in the third picture.
The control stick will pass through the holes made in the seat pans. I cut the holes in the seat pans per plans, but until I rig the controls I won't know if the holes have to be enlarged to provide full control authority.
