Day 71

Finished riveting the rear fuselage top skins!

This morning we finished running wire for the VHF, GMU11 and rear antenna. We wired in the GMU11 and mounted it to the plane. Lastly we wire tied the wires to restrict movement, wear and interference with any other structures.

After the wiring was completed we Cleco’ed the top skins back down. Starting from the bottom and moving towards the top, then down the center, joining them with the right skin overlapping the left. We then riveted the skins in the same order, starting with the left panel working from bottom to top. Then the right side. Lastly leaving the top working from the center out. As with all other panels, each hole was clear drilled and depurred to make sure everything lined up and the rivets went in and pulled smoothly.

Also on the top we installed the VHF mounting plate along with 4 rivnuts.

Lastly on the inside of the luggage compartment there is a cable tray that mounts to the top. First the top rows were riveted to make sure the tray went in the correct spot. Then the 12 holes on the back wall of the luggage compartment were match drilled. (There were no pre-existing holes from the factory… This was why we made sure it fit the ceiling first where there were factory machined holes)