SECTION 31Q: UPPER FORWARD FUSELAGE ASSEMBLY

Build Instruction Updates

• 07/24/14 31Q_10.pdf

Check for more recent updates here

Timing

• Consider pausing this section before you rivet the F-1071 Fwd Fuse Top Skin. This will allow easier access to this area for avionics, electrical, and the cold side of the firewall.
• You can still access everything upside down while the top skin is riveted in place. This allows you to complete a good portion of your panel wiring before the panel is in the plane.
• Note that if you fully rivet the top skin in place, then you will need to remove F-1003B Inst Panel Lower Flange in order to put this in the plane. If you have switches wired into there, that may be tough. Alternatively, when you rivet the top skin, consider leaving the most outboard rivets out and you can rivet after installing. This will let you install the entire upper forward fuselage with the full panel in place. Just pay attention to the fact that you will need to complete Section 41 with all of your wiring/etc installed.

If you leave the rivets marked in yellow uninstalled then you can still insert this into the plane with the instrument panel fully in place. This allows you to do a good chunk of your panel wiring outside of the plane. You will have to angle it and install it a bit aft, then slide it forward, then carefully bend the aft portion of the skin to get it inside of the cabin top.

General Tips

• This section is called 31Q because Q stands for Quadrant. If you plan to use push/pull knobs, manual 31 without the Q applies.
• The control cable bracket underneath the subpanel, F-1083 / F-1083Q, is only needed if your panel has the control knobs or the quadrant mounted right below the panel. If you are using the Aerosport armrest with integrated quadrant, this bracket isn't needed. The QB fuse has it installed. See also this FB Post. The bracket however can be used to secure supplemental push-pull cables for the heater valves, air filter bypass, parking brake etc. if they are mounted using the stock push-pull cable angle bracket that sits centered underneath the panel.

Notes

Page 31-2

• Figure 3: The figure does not spell out the length of the straight section that gets bent. Consider using the drawing itself as reference when printed at 1:1 scale. See also this FB post.

Page 31-5

• Step 3 is not needed if you have a QuickBuild fuselage as the hole in the F-1044B brace is already present and matching the hole in the F-1001B angle.