 |
December 1, 2004 Day 278, 1912.5 hours This short session was devoted to replacing the brake and rudder system with the new revision, which has toe brakes and linked rudders. Changing a major system is not a task to be undertaken lightly. But I thought it was worth it. First, the canard had to be removed, and then the existing brake and rudder pedal assembly. Here it is after it has all been stripped out. This took an entire day. |
 |
December 1, 2004 Day 278, 1912.5 hours The new parts were painted in preparation for assembly on day 2. This is something that I overlooked on the original assembly, and I probably would have had to remove it to paint it anyway. The zinc chromate primer that comes from the factory is not very tough, and would soon wear off with use. |
 |
December 2, 2004 Day 279, 1919.5 hours Here is the new rudder pedal unit, fully assembled and ready to go in the airplane. |
 |
December 2, 2004 Day 279, 1919.5 hours OOPS! I am a little out of practice! I completely overlooked the fact that after putting this together on the bench, there was no way to squeeze it into the airplane! Had to take it all apart again to get it in. Oh well. Duh! |
 |
December 3, 2004 Day 280, 1923.5 hours Finally got the brake and rudder pedal assembly in the airplane. Next session, I will need to make the bracket for the hydraulic fluid reservoir and do the plumbing. The brake lines will have to be replaced and re-routed all the way back to the firewall. |