October 18, 2021

Aft window installation consists of trimming the oversize plexiglass part to fit plus drilling and tapping attach holes.

October 21, 2021

Canopy latch assembly and installation consists of the latch pins and throw mechanism along with the optional flush-mount JD Latch depicted below in the interior open, closed and exterior closed views. Also added a lock for what its worth.

December 8, 2021

The canopy assembly was a month-long process to include the aluminum structural frame assembly, installation of the plexiglass window and then build-up and install of a fiberglass/epoxy trim piece around the leading edge of the window.  This is where I deviated from the standard process to build and trim in place and instead built the glass/epoxy piece as a separable unit then secondary bonded it in place with Sikaflex adhesive.  The motivation there was to eliminate precision layup of the fiberglass and greatly reduce the required finish sanding. To develop the process for my own benefit, built a development unit to try this out. With the success of that, applied the process to the canopy window and that was fully successful.

December 18, 2021

Wing temporary installation of one wing at a time provided the opportunity to work the wing root fairings, fuel and vent lines and set up the control stick-to-aileron push rods. I came up with a process for solo installation of a wing (normally requiring a few people) using wooden cradles on jack screws with caster assemblies at each one. The process went very smoothly.

January 14, 2022

Seat assemblies have a couple new designs from me for a quick-release set of hinges at the base and added headrest assemblies. The headrest brackets I made from graphite/epoxy since machining  these from aluminum proved to be cost prohibitive.