\nThe goal here is to have more parts on the airplane than on the shelf, so I decided to tackle the master and starter relays, to install them so they don’t grow legs and wander off. It’s also healthy session of plane-kata: measure, figure out assembly sequence, measure again, drill, deburr, rivet. This kind of activity centers, focuses, and calms.
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![](\"http:\/\/stjohn.openbar.com\/airplane\/images\/6-12-2010\/IMG_0534.JPG\")
<\/img>\nThe little dangly thing is an aluminum mockup of the copper bar that will go between the terminals. The battery box isn’t on there permanently; I have to take it off to rivet and seal the firewall recess in, but that comes later.
\nAnother thing I did was oval out the holes in the canopy latches so the fingers can engage properly. Like I said, bits and pieces. What I’m trying to get to is a natural break point where I can commit to fiberglassing the canopy fairing. This will involve shoving the fuselage aside to make room for the inevitable mess the fiberglassng process is going to take. But this time, i’m prepared. I’ve got gloves, mixing sticks, mixing cups, a pump system, the whole shebang. The mess should be minimal. But part of getting to that point is finishing the aft canopy, and therein lies a Matroshka doll of things to do. For instance, to install the aft canopy section, the aft top skin needs to be on, but before the aft top skin goes on, I should probabably install the static ports. Actually, bollocks to the static ports, I have to crawl back there anyway to run the lines, might as well do it afterwards. I did finish cutting the aft canopy section, and it sure is cool to see it in place:
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![](\"http:\/\/stjohn.openbar.com\/airplane\/images\/6-12-2010\/IMG_0535.JPG\")
<\/img>\nSo now, the top skin needs to be riveted on, then I can drill the canopy to it and the roll bar.
\nA good amount of time today was spent cleaning. Cutting plexiglass makes a huge mess, and the shop wasn’t pristine when I started.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"