|
|
|
|
Greg's RV-9A Builder Site
|
Date: 8-15-2008
|
Number of Hours: 5.25
|
Manual Reference:
|
Brief Description: On the Wheels!!!
|
|
What a perfect way to finish up 1000 hours of build time. I put her on her wheels today. It wasn't easy by myself, but I didn't have anyone handy to call on just now. So, I stacked up some wood blocks and jacked up each side, lifting each side higher and higher, alternating, until it was high enough to work the right leg in. Twisting, the tight fitting leg eventually slid in smoothly. Then I got the bolt hole to line up, which was fun, and got the bolt inserted. Then the other side. Had to move some blocks around to get the height right, and eventually, got it high enough. Here's the funny (looking back) thing... as I was twisting the leg, trying to get it to go in the gear mount, sort of lifting up with the gear leg to get it to go in, I accidentally nudged over the jack and it all came crashing down. No, not the airplane, I still had that basically in my hands, with the right side on the gear, and me holding the left side. I sort of laughed to myself... now what??? I contemplated calling the babysitter to help me stack up somthing under the plane, so I could let it down.. I was getting tired, and sweaty. But, using my foot, I pulled some stuff over, along with the saw horse, and got some stuff propped up under it temporaily so I could rest and regroup. Got it all straightened out, re-built my wood block tower and got the gear leg on. This one was a little tighter, and was harder (much harder) to get the tight tolerance bolt hole to line up. I used a bolt and filed down the front and made a taper out of it, to help nudge the hole into alignment. Then, I put the final bolt in. Then I lifted up the side a little, took out my stack of stuff, and let the plane down on her gear for the first time. I had to roll her outside to admire my work, and hopefully, maybe a neighbor would drive by and admire it too... no such luck. I was on my own in admiration. Anyway, I took some pictures of the big day.
|
|
In the sun for the first time
|
|
With the HS back on
|
|
Back inside
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2001-2024 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.
|
