Alex's Vans RV-10 Build Log

I'm planning to attach my tail cone to the fuselage after the holidays, so for now I am skipping around a few section performing tasks that don't require the tail cone to be attached.  Under the rear seats, I will need to install access panels so that I can gain access to the COM antennas. There's not a lot of space in between the ribs so the access will be somewhat constrained. I wanted to make sure the panels sat flush with the rear seat floors, so I designed 3D drill templates for a doubler and a cover that will maximize the opening while still allowing the cover to sit perfectly flush with the rear seat floor when attached. 3D design for an access panel doubler. Nutplate holes (missing from the drill template) would be drilled after drilling the screw holes. Doubler fits precisely between the rear seat ribs, and opening is maximized while respecting appropriate edge distances 3D printed antenna access panel doubler and cover drill templates I started by tracing the dou...

In between riveting the fuse side skins with my daughter's help, I also decided to start work on the upper forward fuselage. This begin with fabricating a number of brackets from various pieces of raw aluminum. F-1044C spacer cut to length and 1/8" hole drilled F-1044B angle cut to length with one end trimmed to match the drawing given in the plans. All that remains is for this end to be bent to the required angle Bending the F-1044B angle end in the vice. I gradually increased the bend until it exactly matched the specs in the plans. Placing the F-1044B angle over the drawing in the plans to confirm the correct angle of the bent end Remaining brackets cut to size and edges deburred F-1003C-L and R instrument panel attach flanges fluted and nutplate attach holes dimpled Next, I started preparing the F-1044A and F-1045 ribs by deburring the edges and dimpling the nutplate attach holes at the aft end and the #30 holes on the front flanges For the few holes where I could not fit ...