J230 @ YSWG

[Captain]

A little more progress

 

Fuel tanks complete, full of fuel and have been tested ... no leaks. (But having said that, I am about to duck back out to the shed to double check them again).

 

[ATTACH]3599.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3600.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3601.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Wings almost complete. [ATTACH]3602.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Inner flap hinge reinforcements in place. [ATTACH]3603.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Landing light complete and cowl lower ventilation dams in place. [ATTACH]3604.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain]

Getting there.

 

Did another engine run today with all cowls on. It started 1st time every time, everything looks OK and all temps are good. Did a prolonged run at full power and all went according to plan. With the full power runs, it was tethered to the Toyota, just in case. [ATTACH]3702.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3703.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Have also marked the spinner as discussed in that thread. It was out a tad but not too bad. [ATTACH]3704.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3708.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3709.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Wings are about ready to be installed. [ATTACH]3710.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3711.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3713.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

A couple more adornments have been installed. [ATTACH]3705.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3706.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3707.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

In getting ready for final fitup I have realised that we lost the port side one of these at some time during the painting process. What a bugger. [ATTACH]3714.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

However I called Jabiru to arrange another last Friday afternoon. It arrived first thing this morning and Jabiru got the replacement into the mail within an hour or so of my call. I doubt whether any other supplier could beat that. Terrific service from them and congratulations to all at Bundaberg that did that for me. [ATTACH]3715.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3716.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Not much on the board to be done now. [ATTACH]3712.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain]

For any of you that might be interested, here is what the Mylar tape and Teflon tape covers look like over the gaps in the control surfaces. As I said in another thread, it is probably a bit of a wank as it is Sailplane practice that is most likely irrelevant to the performance of a 230, but I reckon that it looks nice & "finished".

 

 

 

[ATTACH]3729.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3730.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3731.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

The replacement for the missing upper strut fairing is now shaped and ready for painting. [ATTACH]3732.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Dash is also now just about complete. [ATTACH]3733.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3734.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Looking fantastic Geoff. I love the dash.

 

Where did you get the rego numbers, stripes and stars done? They look great. Vinyl?

 

Ross

 

 

[Guest brentc]

I like the way you've covertly covered 2 of your underwing rego numbers with a big 3.

 

It's hard to believe CASA still allow rego numbers for experimental to be 75mm high!

 

Captain, is there any reason why you didn't dash mount the UHF? I assume you'd need a bracket which might prove tricky. Lots of switches and fuses there which is good. Looks good when you start flicking them on and off in front of your passenger.

 

 

[Captain]

Thanks Slarti & BC,

 

They are my design, Ross, done locally and in vinyl that sticks like the proverbial.

 

I have a spare "3", Brent, if you ever need one. Didn't think the UHF would look right mounted in the dash. It just isn't "aviation" enough.

 

All the best

 

Geoff

 

 

[Captain]

Wings and the wigley bits

 

Wings are on for a final fit-up, adjustment and test.[ATTACH]3779.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Flaps are operational and free moving, with final fine adjustments now to be done.

 

 

 

[ATTACH]3780.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3781.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Ailerons similar.

 

 

 

[ATTACH]3782.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3783.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

When I previewed these last 3 shots it made me realise how much the work area needs a clean-up. Sorry about that. Will do better next time.

 

 

 

[ATTACH]3784.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3785.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3786.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain]

Flap & Aileron adjustment.

 

Have set the flaps as evenly as possible @ full up.

 

 

 

[ATTACH]3835.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3836.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3837.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3838.vB[/ATTACH]

 

And full down. [ATTACH]3839.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3840.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3841.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Have also evened up the ailerons to match the flaps. [ATTACH]3842.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3843.vB[/ATTACH]

 

It is, however, appreciated that all will most likely need further adjustment to balance the settings once the test flying is under way. [ATTACH]3844.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Flap position gauge [ATTACH]3845.vB[/ATTACH] and sensor. [ATTACH]3846.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain]

Have been finishing off some itty bits within the cabin, but lost 2 days sitting in front of the coverage of the Bathurst 1000 ...... and the Phillip Island MotoGP is going to bugger up the building time next weekend too.

 

 

 

The wing strobes are fully operational. [ATTACH]3936.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3937.vB[/ATTACH] And they don't appear to cause any radio interference or issues, so that is good.

 

But the landing light is not getting any power, so I need to chase that through the system to see what is the issue. Have spoken with Claus about the flasher unit and am about ready to start delving.

 

 

 

We kit-builders are simple folk aren't we? Or perhaps I should remove "simple" and add "anal", as I never thought I would find the need to report the arrival of J's updated dipstick design. Simple yet effective as it keeps the lower measurement bit off the side of the dip tube, which I have always found to be a bit of an issue unless you are very careful with the straight design. [ATTACH]3938.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain]

Some aesthetics

 

Getting ready to install some aesthetic bits in the front and back of the cabin.

 

[ATTACH]3946.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3947.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3948.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest brentc]

Those Jabiru logos are a bit Gucci there Captain!

 

I might have to get one of those dipsticks although mine usually don't pose too much of a problem.

 

 

[Admin]

Capt - you only got a couple of weeks to finish her so you can bring her to the Echuca Flyin - your Jab is going to be one "must see" bird

 

 

[Captain]

I know that it is getting close Ian and I really want to get there ..... but I'm trying and I hope that business doesn't muck us about too much.

 

Hey Brent, what is Gucci to some is just Bisley Workwear to others. (Let me know if you want some embroidered .... I won't tell anyone).

 

Also below is making the patterns tonight, under the copilot's leadership, for the window covers. Nothing Gucci there I hope, although I might get the cover embroidered in the corners just to stick it up BC.

 

[ATTACH]3949.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3950.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

 

 

[Guest brentc]

Capt, make sure your cover has the 'anti-theft device fitted' embroidered on it. If you need one I believe that Dotar's can provide them for you for $0. They are a professionally made one.

 

True, Gucciness is in the eye of the beholder or something. If that doesn't make sense, forgive me, I've been at work since 8am this morning and will be here till 2am. 3 days in a row is a bit much. If I was Jab building or getting paid overtime I wouldn't care.

 

 

[Captain]

That's a good point about the cover, BC. Will do and thanks for that.

 

 

 

Have been completing the fuel system within the fuselage. Have decided to install the 2 into 1 isolating valves in each pillar but to just use them to isolate the system if filter changes are needed etc. Have wired them open and they will be out of sight behind the pillar covers.

 

 

 

NOW .... I'll post this separately as well, but do any of you blokes have any tips about the best & most convenient way to make the final connection of the fuel lines & breathers within the wing root to the outside of the fuselage.

 

 

 

I only have about 12 mm clear at the bottom and approx 25 mm at the top and my fingers are fatter than that.

 

 

 

I was thinking of relieving the wing root adjacent to each fuel & breather connection point, as long as it is still hidden by the covers top and bottom .... but what did other builders do?

 

 

 

Or did you hire an elf?

 

 

 

I know that all 230 builders are he-man types, however if any of you are snaggy or arty-farty blokes, attached are photos of Brent's Gucci bits as fitted.

 

 

 

[ATTACH]3960.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3961.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]3962.vB[/ATTACH]

 

Regards Gucci Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

[BigPete]

Luv the logos - ;)

 

WHERE ARE THE CUP HOLDERS?

 

:big_grin::big_grin::big_grin::big_grin:

 

regards

 

 

[Guest brentc]

Capt, I used a pair of very long pointy nosed pliers. One of them I had very little room between outlet and inlet so I slid it on when the wing was attached.

 

When you're done, watch out for air-locks. Mine was flowing perfectly, but when we tipped aircraft onto tail, the flow stopped! Wouldn't have been good on first flight if I hadn't found that.

 

 

[Ross]

Hi Geoff

 

The following may not be relevant to your situation. But I set mine up so that my fuel sight gauges are mounted on stand offs so that I can get at their fuel line connectors from inside the cabin.

 

 

 

I think I should have drilled a new set of holes through the cab wall into the wing root area so that the hoses can have a bend in them to make it easier to hook them up.

 

 

 

I may have done it accidently for the LH gauge because I had to move it forward to clear the flap handle area. The attached pics may explain although not taken to explain that point.

 

 

 

I epoxied nuts on the backs of the stand offs to allow for finger size!

 

 

 

First Pic is a "standoff" not a sight gauge![ATTACH]3966.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

[ATTACH]3967.vB[/ATTACH][ATTACH]3968.vB[/ATTACH][ATTACH]3969.vB[/ATTACH][ATTACH]3970.vB[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

I am yet to connect the complete assembly so may have to modify it a bit yet.

 

 

 

All designers should have to do maintenance for a couple of years before they are allowed near a design office.

 

 

Regards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain]

Nose Wheel Spat

 

Have been diverted from the build on business stuff for the past couple of weeks, and have been doing a multitude of finishing-off jobs and checking key items ....... however I fear that the following will prove that I am a dill or am overly pedantic, or both, as it has fair dinkum taken me 3 full days work to get the nose wheel spat where I want it.

 

 

 

The instructions make this look like a 30 minute job .... except that 1st it took a couple of days to have a 5/32" UNF tap brought to town (rural communities reckon that a 10 lb sledge and 1" UNC isn't course enough for most jobs, and the engineering suppliers all sneered when I expected them to have 5/32 unf in stock) ....... but the main issue has been that I have located the spat a little higher than usual as I will be operating off a farm strip and with the 10 ply tyres being a tad wider and therefore a little too close for my liking, it all needed numerous mock-ups and reworks.

 

 

 

Will be really browned off if I destroy this spat on a cow pat early in its life.

 

 

 

(Ross ... let me know if you want me to post the 5/32 tap over when you are ready to drill & tap your nose-wheel yoke).

 

 

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

[ahlocks]

Hey Geoff,

 

As I understand, your place is just north of the truckies favourite railway bridge, how do you get on with the kapooka restricted airspace?

 

Spent another couple of hours at that wonderful bridge again last week;)

 

Cheers,

 

Steven B

 

 

[Captain]

Steve,

 

 

 

Apologies for the delay in responding. Yes, my place is on the west of the highway a little north of that bridge, which I understand is to renamed "Emergency Services Bridge". Mine is the one with 1200 lemon scented gums that I planted in the paddock that faces the highway (my knees have never been the same since).

 

 

 

My land is outside, but right on, the boundary of the restricted airspace.

 

 

 

Now, for you Jabiru folk, attached are 2 pics of what I have done with my engine mount rubbers.

 

 

 

On a couple of older aircraft I have noticed that the engine has sagged a tad and the engine mount rubber that is under load has grown a little in diameter, allowing it to "sag".

 

 

 

These bands are meant to restrict the growth in diameter, and while they add a little weight, I thought I'd give it a try.

 

 

 

Do any of you have relevant experience or comments?

 

 

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

 

 

[BigPete]

G'day Geoff,

 

seeing your engine mount mod made me remember a similar fix to this problem.

 

This picture was taken from the www.jabiru.flyer.co.uk/eng.html web site and posted by Andy Hollitt.

 

They are turned aluminium.

 

I've just done a 50 hourly on my 160 (now at 250 hrs) and my rubbers are looking a little distorted. Might be time for a "fix"

 

regards

 

 

 

[Captain]

Thanks for that Peter.

 

 

 

Andy's are neater and better, and I'll try to make something up like that if this works, but I note that he only has them fwd and his rear rubber looks large in dia. It is the rear rubber on the bottom mounts that has the load cantilevered onto them when the aircraft is at rest (ie most of the time).

 

 

 

They look new in that photo. Did you ever see any report back from Andy on how they worked over time?

 

 

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

[BigPete]

No - sorry Geoff 'fraid not. I never talked with him, I just remembered reading it quite a while ago - well over 12 months or more. (Had to search via google to find it again)

 

I would think that you could make a fit the cups to both sides of the mount.

 

You may be able to contact Andy through the website address in my previous post.

 

regards

 

 

[BigPete]

Hi Geoff - after posting the above I got curious and went looking for Andy Hollitt. Guess what - he lives in South Oz and calls his Jabiru "Wild Thang". I also have an email address for him, so I will try and contact him tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

 

regards