Joshua's RV-9A Project

Dispatched several items from the punch list today…

• Installed nutplates & test fit the forward lower cowl closure plate.
• Crawled into the tailcone with a vacuum and cleaned out all the construction debris, cut off zipties, and other junk that had accumulated back there.
• Wrapped electrical tape around the mini-DIN connectors feeding power and GPS to the ELT.  Personally, I dislike the mini-DIN connector (there are so many other, better choices), but it’s what the manufacturer chose, so we’re stuck with it here.  Hopefully the tape will prevent the connector from disconnecting.
• The APRS tracker also has a mini-DIN (ugh), but even worse–where the ELT has both halves inline, the tracker has one chassis mount side, which prevents taping the two together.  So, I put a glob of Goop adhesive at the joint between connector shell & chassis, which should hold it together.  The preload on the cable tends to hold the connector in, so hopefully this will secure it.  Thankfully, if this comes undone, it’s an annoyance, rather than a critical failure.
• Removed the springs from the roll trim assembly, which disconnects the roll trim from the control system.  This done at the suggestion of the pilot who will do my first flight, the theory being that it makes any heavy-wing or out-of-rig situations easier to notice and diagnose.
• Found one spot missing a ziptie under the panel, so added it while laying upside down on the cabin floor.
• Uncovered the wings and wiped off the shop grime and bug poop.
• Removed the flaps & ailerons from both wings, and unbolted the wings from the cart, in prep for mounting the to the fuselage.