Fuselage Kit Arrives!

Section

Hours

6 - Vertical Stabilizer - Done

15.5

7 - Rudder Assembly - Done

8 - Horizontal Stabilizer - Done

9 - Elevator Assembly - Done

72.25

10 - Aft Fuselage - Done

11 - Empennage Attach

12 - Empennage Fairings

13 - Main Spar

30.75

14 - Wing Ribs

50.25

15 - Rear Spar

24.25

16 - Top Skins

21.25

25 - Fuse Bulkheads - Done

26 - Mid-use Lwr Structure - Done

32.5

27 - Firewall - Done

28 - Fwd-fuse Lwr Structure - Done

30.5

29 - Fwd-fuse Sides - Done

93.25

30 - Aft Fuse Attach - Done

16.75

31 - Fuel System - Done

32 - Baggage Area - Done

24.5

33 - Rudder & Brake Systems - Done

20.5

34 - Flap Motor - Done

35 - Upper Fwd Fuselage - Done

36 - Aileron & Elevator Systems - Done

22.25

37 - Roll Over Structure - Done

15.75

Well the long-awaited day has arrived: the fuselage kit was delivered! That joyous moment was ruined, however, when XPO Logistics delivered this:

It’s never a good sign when your crate shows up with footprints on top and a ratchet strap holding it together.

Once the ratchet strap was removed the crate basically fell apart and I was left with the task of identifying every part that was damaged:

There was some damage to one of the side skins and several ribs but considering the state of the crate upon arrival I’d say it was about as undamaged as I could’ve hoped for. Van’s, in true Van’s fashion, quickly replaced all damaged parts and handled the shipping claim out-of-band so that I didn’t have to worry about it. What a great company!

With inventory complete and all the small parts put into newly-installed parts bins, it’s time to get to work!