I then decided it was time to ready the top aft skin for riveting. What got me into the electrical system was the need to get the wiring done in the tail section before riveting on the top skin, well the wire runs are done or so I thought. I had already drilled the skin but still needed to dimple all the holes so after completing that I lowered the fuselage back to floor level for easy access and clecoed the skin in place. Of course after doing this I realized two things, one I still needed to run the autopilot servo wires to the back and two the rear baggage floor is meant to be riveted in place, I am now thinking I might like that to be removable which means I would need to install several nut plates and this would be easier done with the top skin off.
The reason I think I want the skin to be removable is with the RV-8A the rudder cable runs just above the step support tube, you apply some heavy plastic tape to the step support tube so the cable does not rub on metal. This will have to be an annual inspection area to check the condition of the plastic and the cable in this area. With the floor riveted in place this may be tough to check. I am going to see how easily I can inspect this area with my snake camera; if I can then I may just leave the floor riveted in place. The other option is to just install an inspection plate over this area, which might be the best option. At any rate I think I see removing the top skin in my future.
I made sure the back boards can be removed from the inside once the skin is inplace.
