2017 comes to a close

Looking back this year I'm pleased about the progress I've made on my airplane build.  I don't have a bunch of tangible things to show for it, but the amount of learning I've done, both with mistakes made and discovered, and with new experiences and skills learned is amazing.

​Some of the 701 wing repair/extension stuff I accomplished this week:

​Drilling and riveting the rear wing spar extension doubler sleeve (say that 5 times fast!)​

​Marking out the new wing rib to wing tip extension spar:

​Tying back the wing skin to gain better access:

​That's better!

With room to work, laying out the proper location for the rear wing spar extension.  Length is critically important for maintaining wing rib squareness:​

​Lots of A5 rivets here...

​On the original 701 plans, each wing rib is full length from front spar to trailing edge of the wing.  To enhance the strength of the rear extension spar, we've decided to split the wing rib at the rear spar.  Here is the first one being held in place before being trimmed to fit.  It will be fastened using the two inboard A5 rivets at the spar joint.  Which I'll have to drill out as we hadn't thought this was the route we were going.  Learning, right?

​Installed after trimming with two new A5 rivets:

​The wing rib attaches to a new bracket which also is attached to the spar sleeve with A5 rivets.  Thankfully I waited to attach these after fabricating and fitting the bracket.  Note the two rivets that are placed in reverse direction due to limited spacing inside the small rear rib section:

​Here are the new ribs in place. The next rib went much easier as I didn't have to contend with the wing spar joint.  The rear rib section still has to be fabricated and we have to decide on how to make the new flapperon pick-up bracket.   I've still got to finalize the inside wing spar extension doubler, not happy with the fit yet. We'll wait for final squaring up and deburing before final rivets.

​Another view.  A few more tiny details to finish up (nose ribs, trimming the rear spar to 45 degrees for the wingtip etc) then we'll start to skin the wing extensions and the areas that need replacing near the root where I made the repairs earlier.  Progress!

​2017 definitely has been a busy year in the shop.

​My goals for 2018:

• ​Continue to make the multitude of parts for my 750 STOL
• Continue and finish the build-up of my tail 750 section (horizontal stabilizer and elevator)
• Start on the 750 wings and have them finished by this time next year
  
• Finish and fly the 701 that I'm repairing (great time builder for experience prior to flying my own airplane!)
  
• Be better at posting to my blog!
  

​Happy New Year everyone..... all the best to you and yours and thanks for following along!