Day 196

Today we were able to get the Front Cowling trimmed and fitted. After making sure it was sitting on the spinner hub jig properly and centered on the fuselage we made some tick marks with a marker in a few locations to make sure it was fitted back to the same position each time after it was removed.

We then were able to use the edge marking tool we had previously made to mark the edge all the way around by sliding it in and hooking the retaining strip edge. Then using a marker make small ticks all the way around the perimeter. Then using masking tape, followed the edge of the tick marks to make a straight line. After this we removed the cowlings, trimmed along the edge, sanded it straight and smooth and then placed them back on the plane to check for fitment.

After we were satisfied with the fitting of the cowlings we then matched drilled where the camlocks would go and placed cleco’s along the firewall retaining strip. We used fender washers to distribute the pressure and to mimic the hold the camlocks would have.

We have a pair of fluting pliers on order that we will use to make small indentations in the retaining strip to allow the cowling to rest flush against the fuselage. We’ll do this before drilling out the holes all the way for the camlocks so that they are in the correct positions.