Main panel complete, overhead insert progress

I test-fit the new overhead inserts in place:

Forward overhead insert in place

However, while doing that, the head of one of the little #4 screws broke. Lesson learned, I'm not using brass screws for that anymore (I had picked them just because they were black - bad idea), but we still had to remove it, which took a couple hours, and in the process of doing that we ended up bending the nutplate, so in the end we just replaced the nutplate:

Bent nutplate in the overhead console

We're still working on finishing their surface, and a future post will show them installed:

Overhead inserts with resin applied (sanding and more filling still needed)

Meanwhile, I installed the bottom center panel insert, which let me to realize that the alt static connection wouldn't work as I originally intended, so we moved the T fitting to the right side:

Bottom center panel insert installed in place

Final assembly of the top center panel insert was an exercise in patience, and ensuring nothing physically interfered with one another (and fixing the few cases where something did):

Clearance between the G5's static line and the circuit breakers

Vertical clearance between the main static line and the light switches

Interference between the GMC507 connector and the main wire bundle, which had to be fixed

Center panel insert and wiring secured in place

I then installed the actual displays, which posed some new interference challenges to be addressed:

Static tube running too close to the GAD29

Static tube run after trimming

PFD/AHRS connectors

AHRS tube connections

Panel mostly operational

With all that in place, it was time to test it all again and fix any remaining squawks - one of which unfortunately was that the LED strip connector had come loose, which requires removing the PFD and the left-side insert to fix. I also adjusted the position of the door sensors so they reliably open and close.

There's not a lot left on the avionics front - installing the overhead inserts, the ELT, the rudder trim servo, and once the wings are attached, connecting them.

Time lapse:


Total avionics rivets: 181
Total avionics time: 446.6h

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