Music: Snow Patrol
A few jobs whilst Andy is still here to help including the internal trim panels, OAT sensor, bleeding the brakes and pitot system installations.
The rear panel in normally riveted into the aircraft and has two access panels cut in with covers. I thought it would be a better idea if it was removable so decided to use 3mm screws and rivnuts to secure it instead. First job drill the 5mm hole for rivnuts.
The install the 37 rivnuts in the rear panel…
and 8 along this panel.
The finished job which looks quite good.
The supplied OAT cable is several metres long but I’ve decided to mount it close to the ADAHRS unit so I shortened it out by cutting some wire out of the the middle of the cable and soldered together which removes the need to crimp new ends on.
The OAT sensor is fitted from below and secured with a nylon nut and washer. I’ve used a bit of silicon to make it even more water tight from below before fitting.
The finished installation needs to be within 2 degrees of level in all planes so once the aircraft is finished I may have to shim the unit.
After bleeding the brakes I have two very small air bubbles left in the brake lines that need to be purged. The normal method didn’t work so thought using an electric pump might work. The whole thing turned into a disaster. The first attempt resulted in the electric pump sucking in air. The second attempt resulted in the pump forcing off the pipe. Then on the third attempt the pump failed after 5 seconds of continuous use. I gave up! will try again another time…
Moving onto the pitot installation. I’ve purchased an electrically headed pitot that needs power to it so I need to run power to the unit. There is conduit in the wing so will use this but it’s difficult to get to.
The only place I can easily mount the heater power unit is on access cover but the unit is just little bit big for the access hole so I had to cut the corners of the mounting bracket.
It’s secured onto the of the access panel with M4 screws, washers and nylocs.
It’s a perfect fit..
The view from the underside.
just needs to be connected and wires run up the conduit.
It’s a very tight fit but need to get my arm into the access panel to get to the conduit.
G-MLSY 