So there are only two more items I am waiting on prior to making the first flight.   The first item is insurance paperwork.  It’s on the way.  As soon as it gets here I’m good to go.  The other item is an electrical gremlin.

The gremlin is this: when I have my starter connected, my avionics will not power up.  If I disconnect the starter, the avionics work normally.  Hmmm.  I have an email in to the manufacturer of my electrical system to see if they have any ideas.  I’ll update when I hear back from them.

Well, after 23 months of construction the Coyote finally received her airworthiness certificate!  The process was completely painless but that didn’t stop me from fretting over it anyway.  The inspector was an FAA employee from the Fresno Flight Standards District Office.  He was professional, polite, and didn’t try to trip me up on any regulations.  If I didn’t know a given rule or regulation, he patiently explained it and encouraged me to read up on it.

The process went like this.  He spent the first 20 minutes or so examining the airplane.  Half of that was on the engine alone.  He asked me to address a few issues that he found, none of which where flight safety related.  Then we spent the next 20 minutes going over the paperwork.  He read my flight limitations to me, this took most of the time.  Then we signed the paperwork and that was it!

The issues or squawks he found were:

• Engine instruments not marked with operational limitations (max temp, max RPM, etc.)
• Emergency Locator Transmitter did not have a battery installation date or date last tested on it.
• Loose coolant return line.
• The letters in the word “EXPERIMENTAL” which is displayed on both doors was not in a large enough font.

Once these are address I am legal to fly the airplane.  It would be legal but not prudent, I still need insurance.  That check was mailed out today so that is the last item I am waiting on.

Look forward to a first flight report soon!

It’s coming down to the last few days before my airworthiness inspection.  I found one problem with wiring and will have to fix that tomorrow.  Otherwise I’m just pacing the floor waiting for the inspection.  I sent in my paperwork the 28th of December, the inspection was scheduled for the 12th of January.  The inspector called and told me they were fine with my requested test area.  I asked for a 50 nautical mile radius around Oakdale Airport which will give me plenty of room to wring her out.  I was given a 40 hour test period which is fine.  All that means is that I can’t carry passengers for the first 40 hours.  Frankly I have a lot of testing to do anyway.  I’m just as nervous as I was before I flew my RV-4 but I’m trying to recall the 5 years of joyful flight I had in that airplane.

Just thought I’d post a quick update on where I’m at with the Coyote.  I started painting on Friday.  I painted the wing struts, wing tip fairings, baggage compartment door, and propeller spinner.  It didn’t go as bad as I thought it would.  I did get a few runs, and a friend stepped on one of the parts, but other than that it went great.

I spent Saturday and part of Sunday riveting on the windshield and skylight.  I also got to fly to Los Banos with some friends to have lunch.  This was a GREAT weekend!  Here are a few pictures of my progress.

This is the top of the windshield where it mates with the skylight.

 Here are the front and rear lift struts.  They connect the wings to the lower portion of the fuselage.  Not only are they important, they look great!

God gave us a glorious day here in central California.  Warm sunshine, some passing high clouds, and mild temperatures.  I volunteered at Oakdale Municipal Airport’s open house.  I was the cashier for our food stand.  On my breaks and after the event, I went over to my hanger and spent more time working on my wings.  Today I officially finished building the wings!  I still need to spray a clear coat to protect the fabric from the sun’s UV rays but other than that they are done!  I also need to paint a few small parts before I put the wings on.  I plan to do the painting this Friday.

We’re getting close!

Here’s a picture of the finished left hand wing: