With the main gear actuator problems finally resolved it was time to mount the wheels onto the "plane", put her on her legs so to speak. Unfortunately we couldn't do up the AN354-1216A nut on each wheel axle as it is at least 1/16" larger than the 1" socket in my 217 piece ratchet set.... oh my gosh, is this never going to end? If PA is really serious about marketing amateur built versions of their SeaRey I think they should hire me to re-write their manual from the point of view of someone who is actually tried to build it from a starting point of ignorance, i.e. the typical builder. So the next day we borrowed a 1-1/16" socket on a 3/4" drive ratchet from the tool crib at work and got the main wheels secured to the axles, hoisted the whole hull & frame assembly up off the cradle, powered the main gear actuators down (the tail wheel went down exactly as it should) and set my pride and joy on her own feet for the first time!
