Weight and Balance and
“Roll Out”
With the panel now
installed, the flight controls are next.
We waited until last to install the
Control Sticks because
they just get in the way while working behind the panel and installing
the Main Wing
Spars. However, we did previously
install the T-bar and fit the Control Sticks.
Now that the Ailerons
are in place, we move to the Pushrods and Control Sticks.
The next few pictures
show us working late into Saturday morning trying to get all of the
remaining controls
systems installed and rigged properly in order to start the weight
and balance measurements
on Sunday. It is very important not to
have any binding at
your maximum stick
defection positions in all four stop positions.
We did successfully
complete the control rigging and put the airplane together, including
seats and carpet for the
weight and balance measurements. The
scales were calibrated,
the airplane was set to
the flight level position, and then rolled onto the three scales. Our
total empty weight was
measured at 1071 (without wheel and leg pants), and empty the
Center of Gravity came
in at 77.95”, which is the forward C.G. location itself. We were
very pleased with these
numbers, and now we are ready for “roll out”.
Seats, carpet, stick
boots and all of the necessary FAA required placards to complete the
Flight Deck. Also, between the seats is the hand held
GPS mount, which faces skyward.
