My intent for today was to conduct a one-hour long engine break-in run, but the weather was not suitable, with heavy rain and wind. So, much of the day was spent researching how the EFIS needed to be programmed for the autopilot and taking care of a few other things that were bugging me.
One of those things was a need to come up with a way to support the upper boot cowl in the open position while working beneath it. The solution turned out to be very simple. This cowling piece is held in place with piano hinges on all four sides. By pulling the fore and aft pins and the left side pin, the cowl top can be pivoted up on the right side hinge.
To support the cowl in the open position, a short hinge half was added to the cowl top (image #1,) and another piece was riveted to the side of the EIS mounting bracket (image #2.) The hinge pin that was pulled from the left side is then inserted into the added hinge knuckle on the cowl top, and the other end into the hinge half on the EIS bracket. Figure #3 shows the end results. Works great.
I also re-torqued the propeller bolts in preparation for an engine run tomorrow if the weather allows.
