Assembly Order
Your assembly order may very well be influenced by
something particular with your building situation and circumstances.
For example, I had to install the top skins and canopy long
before I really wanted to so I could safely transport
my project cross
country. But if
nothing else got in the way, what would be the perfect order?
There is no perfect assembly order. Something that you do
first will get in the way or make later assembly more
difficult. If, for example, you hang the wings too early, you
will have to jack the plane up with them installed to install the gear
and fit the fairings. This is doable, just more difficult
than without the wings attached. If, however, you install the
gear too early, you will have to climb up into the cockpit instead of
just leaning over into it.
If there were no other outside influences, and everything was perfect
in my little world, I would accomplish things in the following
order:
- Build the empennage
parts.
- Build the wings,
but leave the bottom skins of
the left wing off for now.
- Build the fuselage
but not install the upper
skins. I would drill, dimple, etc – just not install
them.
- Make final decisions on all electric
components
and instruments.
- Install pitot/static
system.
- Finish bottom of left wing.
- Install all the electrical
components and run
all the wires.
- Install fuel
system.
- Fit
the wings.
- Fit the Wing
fairings and install flap
fairings.
- Install the forward
and aft
top
skins.
- Install rudder
pedals.
- Install brake
pedals and lines on the
inside.
- Fit the canopy.
- Install
the empennage.
- Rig rudder
and elevators.
- Install the gear.
- Install the axles, wheels
and brakes.
- Hang
the wings.
- Rig
ailerons.
- Fit
and rig flaps.
- Hang the engine.
- Weight and balance.
- Inspection.
- First Flight.
- Install the main gear fairings and wheel pants.
Of course some of these things can be done at the
same time, like
finishing the bottom of the left wing and installing the electric
components. But think about the step that you are getting
ready to take before you do. Make sure there is not something
else that would be a lot easier to do now, before you take that step.
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