Build start DEC 1 2011
Today is DEC 1 2017

Six years building

What a year. I thought so much more would have happened as I’m pretty much full time on this now. A year ago I expected to have the strakes and canopy on by now. This is one of the goals for the next few months.

I have built the oil heating system which was an unplanned modification and done a lot of work on the center fuel sump and systems. You can see the pipes I’ve made and a bunch of other fuel related things along with a few covers for the GIB.

The titanium rollover happened this year too.

The strake design is sorted out working with the brilliant Ron Legetti. Rather than the usual flat tops we have something more interesting that I hope will gain me better climb, a few extra knots cruise and just a little more fuel capacity. I have the baffles cut out waiting for me to first finish up the canopy install.

The wheel pants and fairings are well underway too. I’m still not happy with them and will have to put some more time in here.

The engine mount was sorted out in January. Those extrusions were a bit of work.

Overall, a long year with a few tasks done that all had to happen some time. The big stuff is more satisfying.

The goals for the coming year are to finish the airframe. Do the post cure and get well into all the systems and start to look at doing the finishing work. The engine will need to ordered and the electric as well as cowls are all tasks that need to be done. May it be a very productive 12 months going forward!