The empennage kit (the proper one this time) arrived from
Van's. There was some damage on the corner of one of the boxes, but after
inspection everything was ok. The only item that was sitting next to that
corner was the bottom rudder fibreglass piece. I started to take inventory of
all parts and sorted all hardware into containers. The duct tape holding the
skins is extremely sticky and it was a very difficult task to try to take it
off without removing the blue plastic film. It pulled up the film on some
pieces. I also noticed there was some fairly decent scratches on the VS-707
rib. They appear to have been there before the part was formed as the scratches
follow the bends of the aluminum. The scratches have some depth when I use my
fingernails. Considering that this is a rib in the middle of the Vertical
Stabilizer, there is some structural stresses on it. I will send an email to
Vans to confirm all is ok with the part. Its only an $11.00 part. Might be wise
just to order a new one with some other needed tools.
Now that I have the Van's Invoice, I need to contact the
MD-RA to write my Letter of Intent and pay the fee's . I still don't have my tools yet, so I am in
no rush to get started. I might as well plug away at the red tape for now.
Im trying to update the log
book and add pictures but its just not working.
I think its time to dump MS Word for trying to log and document
everything. Its just not easy to use.
