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Sept 11, 2010: Field Day at Windover Airport on Saturday - Rain Date Sunday, September 12 starting at 10:00 AM Sept 16 - 19, 2010: Vintage Wings of Canada & EAA Fly-In Sept 26, 2010: Annual Air Rally at Lachute Airport Sept 30, 2010: Monthly Chapter Meeting at John Abbott College in Ste Anne de Bellevue Other
Items: Importing Aircraft - Guidelines Lecture Series: Frank Hofmann's lectures are for pilots and/or (potential) aircraft owners |
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Replacement of the Main Door Skin for a Tornado 912: There are several things to consider when you are getting closer to prepare your plane for the final painting job. And preparation, I've been told, is 90% of the whole job. Part of this 90% is to have all skin, structures and accessories finished so that you can go ahead into prepping the surface. I wasn't very happy with the shape and finish of the door when I acquired this Tornado II, and I just realized how bad it would look if I just went ahead and prepared the surfaces and have this wavy look in the front side of the main door. So it was a must to fix; get a new sheet of 2024-T3 0.020"
thick Aluminum metal and let's see how we can make this look better. Soon I realized that there was no need to re-shape or do anything to the front skin once riveted in place, so it was a matter of getting the materials and find the time to do it.
I removed the existing skin and used it as the pattern for the shape and to make all the new rivet holes and other openings needed later on. I started cutting the aluminum using the red colored snips (left cut), I found much easier than the other ones. Once I had the shape I wanted and the holes ready, I checked the fit placing a few clecos in strategic places before going ahead to cut the other holes for the lock and knob. I sanded all edges very well (this took a while!) and deburred all the holes for the rivets. The piece was ready for the corrosion protective coating or commonly known as Chemical Conversion Coating. I used the MIL-DTL-5541F specification, Type I and Class 1A, for maximum protection against corrosion, painted or unpainted surfaces. It has excellent paint adhesion properties.
Sure I primed it afterwards trying to match the light grey base the interior of the cabin already had. But I also realized the opportunity to install the same light carpeting I was already placing inside (Commercial grade). So I decided to follow the structure of the door and place the portions I required.
For this somehow small task, the final result was very satisfactory and it looked a lot better than before, it is now ready for the topcoat! A not-so-small task to come. (Thanks to: Carlos Sa and Michel Moreau) The next phase; final assembly at the airport! August 3, 2009
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