7/1/11-Taxi Day! (Day 11 of the build)

Well we did it! N449MF is under it's own power. We taxied in the late afternoon. Most everything works as promised. We have some fixes to take care of next week as we prepare to go for our FAA inspection and our airworthiness certificate and then we need to fly for (40) hours to work out the kinks! Should be fun!

Electrons are flowing!

The interior gets buttoned up

The crew minus my son Eric. From the left to right is Joe, Justin, Ed, Mike, Ben, and Devin.

Pushing the plane out of the hangar for the first engine start

She started right up! The cowling is off to check for leaks.

How she looked when we did the taxi-RH view

LH view

6/30/11-Day ten of the build

Today Eric helped out on the plane in the morning and then I took him to the airport so that he could fly back to Michigan in the evening. I want to thank Eric so much-he was great company and a HUGE help during the last two weeks.

Eric helping to install the autopilot servos

The wingtips with landing lights and strobes installed

Engine control cables being installed

Alternator going on

6/29/11-Day Nine

Finally the instrument panel goes in!

The inside of the panel

The doors being fitted

This is the last full day that my helper will be with me-he heads back home tomorrow afternoon

Flight control cables and electronics cables beginning to get tidied up

6/28/11-Day eight of the build

We spent a good part of the day making sure that the wings would fold

View of the wing fold from the rear of the plane

Eric wanted to go flying-so I sent him up with Alan. This is his first take off!

Eric taxiing in after his flight

Look at the grin on our newest pilot!

6/27/11-Day 7 of the build

Spent a couple of hours "rigging" the elevators and flaps

Getting ready to mount the prop

Why can't wiring be easy!

I'm flying with Alan Negrin working on my tailwheel endorsement

6/26/11-Sunday our day off!

On our day off we got a visit from my brother Dennis and his family and we had a little time to drive around and do some sight seeing.

Den checking out the build

The obligatory family photo

Some Washington scenery

6/25/11-Day Six

Today was a short day devoted to finishing up the wings and getting them mounted to the fuselage for the final time.

Completed right wing

Completed left wing

Right wing mounted for final time

Both wings on!