I flew everyday this past week and will next week as well. I'm studying and taking practice written tests as well as reviewing checklists etc for my practical test. 
 
So no building pictures and only a very little bit of building - I finished fitting the root ribs to the the left wing. I have gotten down the right wing spars and removed all the ribs from the left. I will fit the right wing ribs and then deburr and clean both sets of wing parts in prep for wing skinning. 
 
Flying not building is my mantra for the next month. 

Posted by: Bob Meyers

I haven't worked much this week because of all the flying I have been able to get in. Receiving the engine and storing it away took up the one build day I had planned for. 
 
The little work I have done is to try various wing squaring methods. When I had it all square today I decided I needed to test my procedure. 
 
I took some pictures of the test! 

Posted by: Bob Meyers

I made my engine choice when I ordered the kit. I could have changed it by exchanging the engine mount that was shipped with the kit, with one for a different engine. I decided to stay with my first choice. 
 
I ordered the engine in mid April and it arrived today, in pieces! Just like I ordered it. Sonex offers three engine choices, their 80hp VW conversion (as a kit), a 80hp Jabiru aircraft engine assembled or a 120hp Jabiru engine assembled. The Jabiru’s are Australian engines purpose designed and built for aircraft. They enjoy a good reputation and if I would have bought one, I would have gotten the 120hp. 
 
I chose the VW conversion because it has a very good reputation as well and because I get to assemble it. That is actually very reassuring to me, as I will know exactly how it is put together and who put it together. I am very impressed with the quality of the conversion and the thought behind it. 
 
It is also plenty of power for this light aircraft, even at max gross weight. Solo, I expect to cruise at 120 mph at about 4.5 gph. That is plenty for the mission I have in mind for this aircraft. It is to be an hours builder and airmanship development aircraft. Modest, short distance cruises for $50 hamburger for Kathy and me. Chicago to Oshkosh will be a long distance cruise. 
 
If I love it and want to fly a different mission profile I can always pick another airplane and build it! 
 
No real building today as the parts came early and I had to inventory them and ogle them. Also read the assembly manuals and watched the assembly video again. 
 
Engine part pictures. 

Posted by: Bob Meyers

I still had to finish the #9 rib for the right wing. All of the right wing ribs are now complete and in storage waiting to be fitted to the right main spar. 
 
Also more work today on the left wing. 
 
Latest pictures. 

Posted by: Bob Meyers

Lots of progress with the left wing. 
 
Pictures 

Posted by: Bob Meyers

More work today after flying. 
 
Here are today's pictures. 

Posted by: Bob Meyers

Worked some today on the bellcrank assemblies. I'll work some tomorrow as well. 
 
Here are the latest pictures. 

Posted by: Bob Meyers