The Mission:

I am building an airplane. I really can't tell you how weird it sounds to me to hear those words in my head as I type. I am keeping this blog as an adjunct to my written log, which is required to comply with FAA requirements for Experimental Aircraft construction. My son Doug is my partner in this project. There are two goals: to build the best, safest, and yes, COOLEST, airplane we can, and to allow Doug to acquire some truly awesome experiences, not to mention building skills. Thanks for viewing.



How to use this blog

The most current post is displayed on this opening page. To access the older posts, click on the "Blog Archive" on the right hand side. The drop down menu is arranged by the month and lists the posts, by title and by date posted, in reverse chronological order.

I will arrange the hypertext links to other websites I find interesting better some day, but they are at the bottom.

If you navigate to my first post, there is a link to my luthiery pages. I miss working with wood. Aluminum is nice, but it's boring. Give me a highly figured maple any day!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Getting the fuel tank ready to seal

Sealing the tank is considered one of the more onerous steps in the build.  The sealant, sometimes referred to as "Proseal" has a reputation for getting all over everything and being impossible to remove.  The preparation involves getting the mating surfaces scuffed, very clean, and in position with all necessary items available, since the working time is short.  I can't imagine doing this step alone.


Nut plates and reinforcing ring are mounted on the inboard end rib

Marking rib positions and taping off areas to protect them from sealant

Ribs, cleaned, dimpled and scuffed
The rivets, soaking in MEK
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