Saturday, August 7, 2021

Installing the static line and seat belt anchors - 3.5 hours

 One small item that I need to eventually complete is to finish the remaining 10 rivets in the forward gussets at the fire wall. I didn't get a chance to do them yesterday with Mike, and given the difficult accessibility of the area I'm reluctant to attempt bucking these solo. Its a pretty critical area. I will send an email off to Van's to see about the use of Cherry Max rivets for this.


Now that the aft top skin is on...I can crawl in the inside and install the seat belt anchors. To do this I laid towels down on all of the bulkheads an baggage area. Next I laid fence boards that I cut down to size across the baggage area, then laid full length boards down on the inside resting on each bulkhead. About 4 boards fanned out did the trick. Next I placed some foam on top of the boards and now I can comfortably craft back there.


Bolting the seat belt anchors is quick and easy.


 

Next, I started to install the static line. I really did not want to use zip ties as the plans suggest, so I used adel clamps instead. Much more professional looking and less chance for chafing in my opinion. Getting the static line around the seat belt anchor plate was fun.




 

Now I can install the seat belt anchor cables. Straight away I can see that the clevis does not set on the anchor plate well. 


 I will need to use 2 'L' washers in between the clevis and the plate. By adding and adjusting washers. The fit is now really good.