Captainphx's build

[captainphx]

Thanks Eddie. Your post sent me back to the manual to take a closer look. After comparing the wing build chapters of the STi with the SS7, I discovered they are quite different. For instance, the tank doesn't sit on top of the spar re-inforcement plate, the tank flanges don't get hysoled to the rib capstrips, and there is more room between the inboard edge of the tank and the #1 rib. But I will have to add an access hole to access the tank strainer. I did cut the threads in deeper. I will have about three threads showing on the fittings. The pic below of the strainer is not screwed all the way in.

[captainphx]

Question for you STi builders...the wingtip fence appears to be made of foam board with a fiberglass layer on the outboard side. I have Aeroled's NSP lights that I need to mount on the face of the fence. The Aeroled install instructions call for nut plates on the back side of whatever you are mounting them to, but that will not work with this foam board, plus I can't access the backside anyway. Could just hysol the Aeroled mounting plate to the fence, but trying to think of a better solution. Thought about using screws to mount the plate, but the foam board just doesn't offer enough material strength for the screw to grab onto. Though about nutserts also, but, again the foam board does not seem stout enough for that.How did you guys do your STi?

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[captainphx]

Getting my wings ready for cover...I went thru the procedure in the manual for checking for leaks in the fuel tanks way back before I installed them. All checked fine. But I was still concerned about a possible leak, thinking that once I cover, and if there is a leak I would become very unhappy. Clark in AZ, who is building a Superstol, gave me an idea and I decided to try it. I filled my wing tanks with distilled water and allowed them to sit for a bout 8 hours. No leaks!!! I did slightly over fill and the water ran out confirming the functionality of my overflow drain. Anyway, I suppose this test is of limited usefulness, because as you can see in the pics where the water level is when the tank is full, and some of the tank seams will not be submersed and so those seams won't be checked. But at least I know my fittings don't leak. I then drained the tanks. The airplane is still probably a year from flying, so I am sure that any water that may still be in there will evaporate. Gives me a little piece of mind before I cover.
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