13 Apr 2024
Installing side skin channels and longeron
Drilled holes in the right CF-CHL-032 and CF-CHL-042 components and fitted snap bushings as with the left side. The idea is to provide for future wiring flexibility if required. All 6 side channels were then riveted in place and fitted perfectly.
Riveted the 3.2mm rivets in the left support ribs.
Installed the left and right side rail angles (top longerons) - these needed a bit of filing at the front to correct some interference with the firewall - along with the related gussets, spacers and angles. I decided to install 4.0mm x 10mm (995) rivets in place of all the 3.2mm x 8mm (998) rivets on the top longeron other than for the rearmost hole. This was primarily because I thought it looked odd with different size rivets (smaller in amongst various larger ones) and going up a size gives it a little extra strength without compromising integrity. Looks good.
Pulled the static port piping and antennae RG400 cables through the snap bushings in the side skin channels - works well. The front bushings on the lowest (CF-CHL-042) channel are a bit larger than the others to accommodate the larger diameter of the static pipe.
