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January 23, 2006 Day 284, 1942.5 hours In the Dash-5 modification, the center keel is cut out in the rear part of the aircraft, adding a great deal of room, easier entry and exit, and better access for control system inspection and maintenance. This requires a complete re-work of the control system, which is now seen in the lower part of the keel. The black carbon fiber cover for the new keel section is seen next to the keel on the floor. |
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January 24, 2006 Day 285, 1948.5 hours The cover is now in place after re-installation of the control system. The small panel on the back, which will be between the passenger seats, is an auxiliary power jack. For your iPod, of course! And a portable GPS, in case the passengers are concerned that the pilot is lost. : ) |
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January 25, 2006 Day 286, 1953,5 hours The communications jacks, which were formerly in the part of the keel that was cut away, are relocated at the point where the keel drops. The colored objects near the brake pedals are bags of lead shot. When the canard is removed, it is necessary to add weight to keep the nose gear on the ground. |
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January 26, 2006 Day 287, 1960 hours I recall, when I first installed the control stick, asking myself if I would ever have to remove it completely. Should I put a connector on it? Naaaw, I said, connectors are expensive and a real pain. I'll just hook up the wires all the way to the front. Isn't it amazing how we can fool ourselves? Sure enough, I had to take it out! This time, as you can see, I put a connector on it! |
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January 31, 2006 Day 289, 1970.5 hours Here is where the control stick connects in the keel. Don't set maintenance traps for yourself. Make sure inspection and access panels are adequate, and make sure that everything can be removed. I can assure you, if there is one thing that is hard to remove, you will wind up removing it! And, if you need to use a connector, use a good one. You wouldn't use an unreliable flight instrument, so don't wire the plane with cheap, unreliable connectors. |
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February 02, 2006 Day 291, 1980.5 hours One of the door pin sockets on each side has a microswitch that operates the door warning lights. They require a short pin to actuate the switch. Everyone has used wooden dowels for this purpose. I was not comfortable with that, because I suspected that if it got wet (very likely), the wood could swell and stick in the socket. I finally managed to find a Delrin (plastic) rod that was the right size (5/16) and made the pins from that. |
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February 03, 2006 Day 292, 1984 hours Florida has a breed of suicidal wasp that has a propensity to build nests in exhaust pipes. Having grown weary of cleaning them out, this was our solution. |