FIRST ENGINE START!!; 24 - Wing Tip (finished); 12 - Emp. fairings (almost finished); 44 - Spinner & Prop (almost finished); Other (lots of misc. finished)

Big milestone:  FIRST ENGINE START!  Thanks to Ken B. and Glenn M., who were with me for 5 hrs that morning to do a number of tasks prior to the first start.  After we had Sal Capra from On-Site Weight and Balance perform the W&B, we performed a fuel flow test for both tanks (~45gph) to confirm fuel flow and rid the lines of any debris, and we pre-oiled the engine by removing the top plugs and running the starter 3-4 times for 10sec each until oil pressure registered on the G3X.  I then reinstalled the plugs, we chocked the tires, and I started her up - looks like about 3 blades until she caught (see video, below) ... and the engine ran very smoothly, and the prop cycled well at ~1800rpm.  The next day, CE Avionics performed the IFR certification for the transponder and pitot/static system.  There aren't too many tasks left until the Airworthiness Condition inspection!

As always, here is a detailed list of tasks that were completed during the past ~3.5 weeks (also click "read more" for additional pics):

- finished trimming, drilling etc. left tip lens; started AeroLEDs Sunspot LX Nav light (red for left side)

- a few different sections, so I’ll put that under “other” - installed BSR landing light lenses; installed wing tips and finished wiring lights; started working on rudder bottom fairing (up to attaching the nutplates)

- installed VS fairing; floxed rear AeroLED light doubler for bottom rudder fairing; worked on left elevator fairing

- installed left elevator fairing, worked on right elevator fairing; installed tail light and lower rudder fairing; checked Nav/strobe lights (worked!); played with G3X a lot to calibrate ADAHRS, setup autopilot, and figure out trim system and how it integrates (or not) with autopilot servos.  I need to calibrate magnetometer first

- finished right elevator fairing; started working on HS tip fairings (cut, sanded, drilled #40, made 2 bi-layer fiberglass patches)

- floxed/epoxied patches to HS tip fairings; started working on metal rear emp. fairings

- floxed and glassed inside of patches for both HS tip fairings; figuring out p-mag; leveled pitch on G5; started emp fairing

- Worked on HS tip fairings (sanded and micro-epoxied); figured out p-mag setup mode (has to be “off”, i.e. p-lead grounded); figured out mounting location for VIRB camera

- worked on flaps, which won’t detent (i.e. press once and it goes from -3 to 0deg, twice to 15deg, thrice to 30deg); called SteinAir and worked with Tim D. 

- worked on flaps, which still aren’t working correctly; rewired POS-12 sensor connection with d-sub pins; figured out wiring with Tim D.; no dice - still won’t work

- HS tip fairings (sanded the micro-balloons and painted with filler primer); figured out flaps, sorta (had to reverse wire for flap motor; detents work, but have to press up for flaps down and vice versa - may rewire later, or just keep as-is and get used to it - NOTE: - Ken B. and Glenn M. told me I can't leave it like this, so I will reverse the switch wires; micro-molex pin extractor is being sent from SteinAir); mounted VIRB camera; confirmed traffic ADS-B works (pulled bird out of hangar)

- finished and installed the HS tip fairings; timed Emag and Slick mag (thanks, Joe D., for the help!); redid safety wire for one pair of prop bolts; added hole and redid safety wire for remote oil filter; recalibrated flaps; attached left baggage side carpet

- installed seat harnesses (mostly); redid 8ga cable from bup alternator to ANL fuse; put dollop of silicone adhesive to tip of ELT ant (to secure to rear window

- prepped for W&B; W&B (Sal Capra); first oil pressure (run starter w/o top plugs for ~30-40 sec); fuel; fuel test (approx. 45gph each side); first start!; magnetometer calibration

- IFR certs. completed by CE Avionics (Transponder, Alt, pitot/static); fixed a few items brought up by Ken B., Glenn M., and Joe D.; fixed G3X settings for RPM and fuel pressure

- removed seats, seat pans, control sticks; finished wire-tying all avionics wires under the seats; started spinner (drilled #30 holes, drilled #40 holes for spacers)

Here is the video of the first engine start (thanks, Ken B., for taking the vid!):

Horizontal tip fairing, completed and installed:

Painted a few more cabin covers: 

Ripping the plastic off the canopy and rear window - very satisfying:

Interior, mostly installed - it's really looking like something I can fly:

Floxed and riveted the light attach bracket to the lower rudder fairing:

Right wing tip fairing installed and the correct NAV light works: 

Interior side panels, installed:

Crow harnesses, mostly installed:

Out of order pic, but this shows the closeout of the right HS tip fairing using a double-ply BID fiberglass piece, floxed to the aft edges of the tip:

Drilled gap closeout for prop spinner:

Elevator fairing, installed:

HS tip fairings, layered with micro-balloons to shape later:

Making sure the spinner is dead-center, using a Sharpie marker on a stand and rotating the prop (w/ top plugs out):

Right elevator fairing, installed:

Right HS tip fairing, installed:

Spinner, #30 drilled and clecoed:

VS tip fairing, installed:

Baggage compartment interior, installed (well, sides are installed, and bottom is just placed since the AW inspector will need access to the center tunnel)

Another view of the interior, mostly installed:

Installed rear Nav/strobe light and lower rudder fairing:

Weight and balance by Sal Capra of On-Site Weight and Balance:

Yes, it's me doing the work (pic for FAA):

My reaction after the First Start was over ... frankly, I'm still coming down from the high!

Redid safety wire for the remote oil filter, by placing a hole in the bracket to make it easier to safety-wire:

Some of the equipment CE Avionics used for the transponder and pitot/static IFR certification:

Right wingtip and Nav light installed and working: