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August 1, 2001 Day 62, 473.5 hours The aircraft is turned over in order to more conveniently work on the bottom. It would be practically impossible to work underneath, with fiberglass and dust falling in your face. The strakes will be finished, and the wings attached to do finish work. In this position, it bears an odd resemblance to the space shuttle. Unfortunately, I couldn't get launch clearance. |
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August 3, 2001 Day 64, 491 hours Heavy lay-ups of unidirectional fiberglass cloth are placed at the wing attachment points to help carry torsion loads. |
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August 4, 2001 Day 65, 497.5 hours After the strake lay-ups have cured, the wings are attached for finish work at the strake-wing junction and leading edge. |
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August 6, 2001 Day 67, 507.5 hours The engine cowl is cut to fit around the wings, and clamped in place in order to make the permanent flanges to which it will be attached on the finished aircraft. The center opening is where the propeller will go. The smaller openings on the side are the outlet ducts for the engine cooling air, which comes from the intake ducts on top of the aircraft (which is the bottom in this position). These openings can be seen through the center of the cowling. |