I just learned this morning not to expect my engine before the end of May. BIG disappointment! I ordered the engine through Van's on 22 Jul 19 so roughly six months, which was the estimate at the time, would have been February. I think the whole Superior XP-382/-400 recall has really put a wrench in the works but I was hoping it would have worked itself out by now. Apparently it has not.
Now I am thinking of other things I can do while I wait. AFS is doing my panel now and I think it will be ready sometime after the first of the year and I have plenty to keep me busy until then.
I had previously planned to wait on the wheel pants and gear fairings until after the engine was mounted and cowlings installed because I assumed that I'd need the full engine weight on the gear to get the correct camber on the wheels. As I think about it, however, it seems as though the wheel pants must be installed relative to the wheel so I could probably go ahead now.
My question is if installing the engine is really a prerequisite for installing the wheel pants and fairings?
I have room in my shop to install one wing at a time (I could actually install both wings if I kick my tractor out but the plane would be stuck in the shop. ) I was planning to not put the wings on until after moving to a hangar. In view if my extended wait, would I gain anything by putting the wings on one-at-a-time in my shop? Is there anything else I should do now to save time after the move to the hangar? FWIW, I am planning to paint after phase 1.
Now I am thinking of other things I can do while I wait. AFS is doing my panel now and I think it will be ready sometime after the first of the year and I have plenty to keep me busy until then.
I had previously planned to wait on the wheel pants and gear fairings until after the engine was mounted and cowlings installed because I assumed that I'd need the full engine weight on the gear to get the correct camber on the wheels. As I think about it, however, it seems as though the wheel pants must be installed relative to the wheel so I could probably go ahead now.
My question is if installing the engine is really a prerequisite for installing the wheel pants and fairings?
I have room in my shop to install one wing at a time (I could actually install both wings if I kick my tractor out but the plane would be stuck in the shop. ) I was planning to not put the wings on until after moving to a hangar. In view if my extended wait, would I gain anything by putting the wings on one-at-a-time in my shop? Is there anything else I should do now to save time after the move to the hangar? FWIW, I am planning to paint after phase 1.