Sunday, May 4, 2025

To-do list to get to first flight

It's a small thing, drilling several holes in the wing shelf beams and supports, getting them all installed with quick-pins, but makes a small positive step forward. 

 
 
You can see the epoxy coating in the cold wasn't terrific, and the plywood is already weathering-in.  I'm leaving putting a UV paint on the decking as a to-do.  Next big step will be to test if the wings can be strapped to the shelf and supported well enough to travel.  I expect that I'll need to add multiple more of the cross-beams for more support.  I also expect that strapping down the wing panels will be awkward, since my ailerons and flaps don't fold cleanly against the wing's upper surface.  We'll see.

Trailer to do's are now:

Must-dos:

  • finish mounting wing shelf cross-beams
  • take another drive around the neighborhood
  • figure out how Goat wings sit in the trailer
  • figure out how all of Goat parts transport together
  • take all of Goat for its first trip around the neighborhood 
  • finish weld the upper rail to the vertical supports 
  • finish weld the frame joints

Non-critical / Optional?

  • UV paint on the ply decking
  • index the axles to 12deg at 1G (if needed)
  • create a rear door that can be quick-pinned in place

For the first-flight:

  • backyard final assembly and thorough pre-flight check, including weight & balance
  • re-weld the tow hitch release (I'm now doubtful it had good penetration) 
  • buy tow rope, weak-links, and end rings
  • get radios (1x airborne, 1x car)
  • travel
  • fly!

After the first-flight:

  • add leather patch to wing tips where will rub the ground
  • install leather patch guides for elevator control lines
  • paint trim color
  • install wing root kiss seal
  • build a wing tip dolly
  • build a wing wheel
  • jury strut fairings
  • main strut fairings (after flying to figure out the right angles)
  • emergency parachute
  • real variometer (LXNav with a TEK probe is my intention, if it is sensitive at low speed...)
  • dogue chute

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