Back to the leading edges.  Today I started fitting the inboard ribs (408s) to the skins.  These are the only ribs that are not pre-drilled, so they take a little extra work.  Here are the steps I took:

1. First I fit the ribs in the skins as closely as I could get and marked every hole with a sharpie.  This was so that I knew where I could flute.
2. Fluted the ribs.
3. Replaced the ribs and clamped in place.
4. Drilled the aft flange to the spar.

After that it was time to fit the tank attachment piece (forget the name right now).  This takes a little work, but the instructions are straightforward. 

Here is the rib and tank attachment in the process of being match drilled.

Its been more than 3 weeks since I was last in the shop!  I had a trip to Charleston South Carolina one weekend, and another weekend taken up with homework for my MBA program.  (Accounting… yuk).  I also took a weekend and completely vegged out.  I have a tendency to take on large workloads and multiple projects that can wear me thin.  Sometimes I have to take a step back and recharge or I will get burned out.  This weekend, is of course Thanksgiving.  So its been a four day weekend that I can relax, work on the plane, and get some homework done all at the same time.

Before I get on to the project, there is other aviation related news.  I’ve rejoined Fort Meade Flying Activity (www.fmfa.aero) and I will be getting checked out in the Piper Arrow.  I also need to do a BFR and IPC.  My wife and I want to do a couple overnight trips, and I figured it would be fun to do some flying around here, so its time to stop procrastinating.

On to the project.  First, I finally completed the other tie down bracket as I’d received a shipment from Van’s.  I bought the tank sealant, flop tubes, new delux fuel caps, and the silly rivets I was out of.  Next up, I started by making the leading edge cradle.  I used scrap wood and really took Van’s instructions of “don’t waste time making it perfect” to heart.  Its a POS, and it took no time at all to build, but it serves its purpose nicely.  I completed clecoing both leading edges together and mounted them to the spars.

While I was in Charleston I picked up some swag from my alma mater.  Here’s Squire trying on my new hat.

I finished all the final drilling today.  Its quite an endeavor to place a couple hundred clecoes, final drill several hundred holes, move all the clecoes and drill those holes.  My wrists are sore from the cleco pliers.

Not much else to report.  I removed most of the clecos from the bottom skins, and I am ready to begin the leading edges.  I will need to place an order with Van’s Aircraft this week for several items to include fuel tank sealant.