January 23, 2004
Decking progress is continuing, as well as work on the cowl. The deck is going on rather quickly, as can be seen from the progress made since the last update.
Work has begun on the rear cowl as well. The deck around the cockpit has been widened slightly (to stringer width) to accommodate future passengers. However, to do so requires that the cowl be widened as well. As can be seen in the pictures, the rear cowl has been split in half and a wooden spacer added. This will allow for the cowl to be fitted, and further work completed.
Most likely, new cowl will be built using the original as a mold. The original cowl is very heavy with globs of fiberglass and resin stacked on very thickly. This makes the cowl much heavier than it really needs to be. Further, by the time the necessary fixes are made to permanently widen it (structurally), a new stronger, lighter cowl could be built (and most likely quicker). Thus, a new composite cowl will most likely be built in the next few weeks.
Read MoreWork has begun on the rear cowl as well. The deck around the cockpit has been widened slightly (to stringer width) to accommodate future passengers. However, to do so requires that the cowl be widened as well. As can be seen in the pictures, the rear cowl has been split in half and a wooden spacer added. This will allow for the cowl to be fitted, and further work completed.
Most likely, new cowl will be built using the original as a mold. The original cowl is very heavy with globs of fiberglass and resin stacked on very thickly. This makes the cowl much heavier than it really needs to be. Further, by the time the necessary fixes are made to permanently widen it (structurally), a new stronger, lighter cowl could be built (and most likely quicker). Thus, a new composite cowl will most likely be built in the next few weeks.
