Skybolt Fasteners - Order of Operations - RV14

[AirplaneDetective]

I would like to replace the upper cowl piano hinges with the skybolt kit (already bought it).

I do not have my upper fuselage skin riveted on yet, as I have not finished my avionics. I did do the dual access panel mod already though. My upper skin is just clecoed and its a tight fit/stretch to get that upper skin to sit down on the upper fuselage, without putting the skybolts in there yet.

Reading through the plans, it looks like the upper cowl is going to need something to sit on. The plans call for installing the upper piano hinge so the cowl can rest on something while you're building around the rest.

Thinking out loud, I should start by putting the skybolts in my upper fuselage, match drilling and cleco'ing those in place first? I assume that I can get away with leaving this all un-riveted while I do the fitment, wondering if I am creating issues for myself here by not "finalizing" the upper fuselage skin? Should I just rivet that skin in now?

I used the hartzell 3d printed hub model to mount my "prop" since my garage is too small to hang my actual prop. I used 1/4'' spacers in there thanks to those who have pointed this out on the forum. This should set my spinner distance correctly.

Using the 390 exp 119 dual exit cowl, it looks like I can trim right up to the cut lines per the plans? I suppose its fiberglass so any errors can be rebuilt. Just nervous to start trimming such a large costly to ship item without first fitting it all up.

Any tips appreciated on the skybolt order of operations, thanks.

 

[terrye]

The Skybolt kit should include mounting instructions, if not, download from their site. Kitplanes published a helpful series of articles in 2023 on mounting a cowl on an RV-7A (Larry Larson here on VAF), search the internet and Kitplanes for the series.

 

[bobrath]

What Terry said. I installed them on my 14A at a later stage than you're attempting, but in anticipation of using Skybolts, so I planned certain assemblies accordingly. Get the factory instructions and the referenced article. Study the instructions thoroughly until you understand both the what and the why before you commit any construction that might involve them. Plan your flow accordingly. Damn few shortcuts for this accessory.

 

[AirplaneDetective]

Thanks, its been ages since Ive order the kit and its been sitting in my shop. Should have looked to the source.

 

[Larry KMYA]

I put mine on after doing the upper hinges. Drilled the rivets out, removed the hinges, layer out the Skybolt brackets (required trimming the flanges), added the spacer strip back and match drilled the brackets. I used 16 with the last one under the engine mount attachment, and just above the vertical lower cowl hinge.