Quote:
Originally Posted by rotoiti
I am trying to see if I have to make some decisions early. I.e. backup battery or dual electric bus -- support for this stuff should be built at the time empennage is being finished, right?
I don't care much for a panel right now. I know it's gonna be glass of some kind but I'll do my research when I get there 
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It's a little easier, but not critical.
I have dual PC680s. All I did is modify the tray, which is removable. So it could be modified at a later date. That section is pretty open until you put that last top skin on and glass in the canopy cover. So you really have plenty of time.
There really aren't many mods for the tail.
Avery Rudder cable fairings - not required, but look nicer than the default
Rudder Trim - if you put a spring biased system like the one from Aerosport, this can be added at any time. It took me about an hour and I just installed it a couple weeks ago. If you are putting in a electric rudder trim, this would be the time to make the mods.
Antenna Placement - a little early, but if you have a good idea what you need, getting the holes drilled in the empennage is much easier now before you actually need to crawl into the tail. With that said, I crawled in the tail and drilled mine, so this isn't really critical either.
There are some "gotchas" that you should be aware of before you start riveting. Be sure to check the list on Tim Olson's site. (myrv10.com)
I would also recommend doing most of the fiberglass work when the plans call for them. The exception would be the canopy cover, but that's another long conversation. I regretted saving all that work until the end. My wife and I spent most of last summer working with sanding the glass.
Here's an area that you may want to may a cosmetic decision. You can install per plans, or many glass in the tips of horizontal and vertical to hide the transition between the aluminum and glass. There is no right answer here, just which look that you prefer. I would recommend using nutplates on the bottom rudder fairing in case you need to remove to work on the tail position/strobe light.
Do you feel like you are attempting to take a drink out of a fire hose yet?
Good luck with your decisions and build!
bob