09-26-2012: 2.5 hrs
First thing I did is to put the bolts in the 12 bolt holes on the fwd section of F704 bulkhead (wing center section). These bolts don't attach anything to the bulkhead for RV7. Landing gear mount will be bolted there in a RV7A model. Anyway, these bolts are torqued to 55in-lbs and sealed.
The ELT/Power Supply support brackets (left and right) I ordered from Vans arrived today. I decided to install them while the access is great. The only thing I have a little concern is the clearance between the flange of the bracket and rudder cable. Other builders reported possible chaffing between cable and flange. For that reason, I moved the ELT bracket inboard slightly more (the drawing actually shows pretty good reference. Align the side flange edge with the tip of the S shaped stringer on bottom edge.)
I found it is difficult to match drill the bottom stinger while the bracket has to be hand held in position to drill the first hole. So, I just marked 4 hole positions on the top stringer, and drilled them using #40 bit, then drill one hole on top flange of the ELT bracket and put cleco in. This worked great. Since I moved the ELT bracket inboard slightly, the holes on the stringer is very close to the S bend, but I have no edge margin to worry about. It just makes pop riveting the bracket more challenging. I have to find a way to do it.
The ELT bracket took longer than I thought to install, I only got the left side done today (excluding riveting them)
Also, I found my ELT location is more forward than other builders to have the best fit. This could be because I moved the bracket slightly inboard to make clearance to the rudder cable. I think I should have enough space between ELT bracket and F706 bulkhead to allow the bend for ELT wiring. I will see.
Bolts in
Bolts are torque sealed
ELT/Strobe power supply instl brackets
Have to use 12" drill bit here
ELT bracket is drilled and clecoed
The ELT/Power Supply support brackets (left and right) I ordered from Vans arrived today. I decided to install them while the access is great. The only thing I have a little concern is the clearance between the flange of the bracket and rudder cable. Other builders reported possible chaffing between cable and flange. For that reason, I moved the ELT bracket inboard slightly more (the drawing actually shows pretty good reference. Align the side flange edge with the tip of the S shaped stringer on bottom edge.)
I found it is difficult to match drill the bottom stinger while the bracket has to be hand held in position to drill the first hole. So, I just marked 4 hole positions on the top stringer, and drilled them using #40 bit, then drill one hole on top flange of the ELT bracket and put cleco in. This worked great. Since I moved the ELT bracket inboard slightly, the holes on the stringer is very close to the S bend, but I have no edge margin to worry about. It just makes pop riveting the bracket more challenging. I have to find a way to do it.
The ELT bracket took longer than I thought to install, I only got the left side done today (excluding riveting them)
Also, I found my ELT location is more forward than other builders to have the best fit. This could be because I moved the bracket slightly inboard to make clearance to the rudder cable. I think I should have enough space between ELT bracket and F706 bulkhead to allow the bend for ELT wiring. I will see.
Bolts in
Bolts are torque sealed
ELT/Strobe power supply instl brackets
Have to use 12" drill bit here
ELT bracket is drilled and clecoed
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