Daily Archives: March 18, 2014


Wings 15 (6.0 hrs)

This post encompasses two shop sessions over the past weekend.  I worked on the stall warning sensor Van’s includes with the wing kit, and completed deburring the wing leading edges.

First, I completed the drilling that I had missed from a previous session.  Then I set about removing the blue vinyl.   I used to use a ruler for this, and I did for the first part of this session.  However, using the soldering iron freehand is plenty neat enough, and much faster.  No more ruler.

Next, I deburred all the rivet holes and edges of both leading edge skins.  Finally, I deburred all of the ribs and prepared the ribs for priming by roughing the surfaces with the scotch-brite pads.

With this work completed, I turned my attention to the installation of the Stall Warning Sensor Van’s includes with the wing kit.  With AOA systems common in newer avionics suites, some builder’s opt to not install the stall warning.  The argument being that if you here too many warnings, too often you may condition yourself to ignore the warning.  I disagree.  Ignoring warnings is really a factor of training, not building.  Further, some people complain that they get rags or clothing caught and torn on the vane.  Rag life expectancy is not, IMHO, a valid argument against a stall warning.  Since the warning is included in my kit, and its predrilled, I see absolutely no reason not to install it.  This past weekend I was able to prepare the access plate, and begin preparing the sensor attachment itself.  More will be done after I complete the dimpling of the skin.

In this first photo you can see the stall warning access cutout in the top right of the skin.

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The instructions Van’s includes with the stall warning sensor are written as if you DO NOT have a pre-punched or pre-cut skin.  That might seem obvious, but it took me several readings of the instructions to understand.  20140318-130628.jpg

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Access plate.20140318-130643.jpg

Here is where the actual sensor will be on the leading edge. You must use a file to connect the two holes.  20140318-130654.jpg

The results of my file work.  Still needs a little touch up, but I’m happy with the results. 20140318-130715.jpg

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Access plate after dimpling. 20140318-130735.jpg

Squire was helping me out as always.  His favorite method for helping is to lay directly under my feet so that I am constantly tripping over him while holding sharp, hot, or heavy objects. Its fun.20140318-130745.jpg

Lastly, a quick note on the fuel tanks.  I installed the z-brackets incorrectly.  After some thought and consulting with other builder’s I decided to allow the sealant to cure before correcting the error.  When I drill out the rivets, the shop heads will be left in the tank.  Luckily, the pop rivets contain magnetic material.  With the proseal dry, they should be able to rattle around the tank.  I bought two telescoping magnets.  One has a flexible head and LED.  The other has a longer reach and a stronger magnet.  A large inspection mirror was a welcome addition to the purchase.  Very poor picture provided below. 20140318-130525.jpg