Kiss Build Day 24

Friday 22nd March, 2002 - Final Inspection!

So after nearly 3 months of waiting for the weather to be good enough to spend a day at the field getting the final inspection done, we gave up waiting. Instead, we arranged to rent some hanger space at Rochester for the day, and get the job done there.

This was the first time the trike and wing had been assembled, and lovely she looked too!

I have the following minor adjustments to make:

	I didn't read the HADS properly, and didn't realise the plane needs a fire-proof identification plate showing the registration. I've a little, engraved brass plate on order already, which will be pop-riveted to the seat frame near the keel.
	The pylon hinge wasn't tight enough - there was a tiny bit of play at the hinge. 5 minutes work with a spanner sorted that one out!
	There is a water pipe which runs from the top, rear of the head to the expansion tank. The clamp at the head end will not tighten enough to stop it leaking, so we were unable to complete the engine tests and signoff. However, I already have a new clamp, so hopefully, this will be done in the coming week.
	The front-strut is too tight a fit in the keel socket, which makes in very hard to derig the plane. I will be easing the nylon boot, and this should be no problem. Also, I need to ease the bolt hole, as it's a major mission to get it in at the moment. Given you have to reach up into the nose of the pod to do this, I need to make it a nice, easy fit.

While John was inspecting the trike, I stuck the registration letters on the wing and fitted the aerofoil sections to the kingpost and the A frame.

The best bit of the day was the weigh-in - my baby tips the scales at 173 Kilos, which is some 20 Kilos lighter then I expected (yes, we did have everything on board!). This makes life easier because it means I can carry full fuel with two 86 Kg people on board, so I don't have to max up a fuel/pax weight trade-off chart to go on the tank. Only a minor thing, I know, but anything that makes life easier....?

So, I expect to be able to apply for a permit to test within a week or two!

Bummer of the day

Forgot to take the sodding camera - so you'll have to take my word for it when I tell you my baby is the sexiest looking plane in the world once fully assembled!

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Last Revised: 28 September, 2004