October Update - The rear fuselage is making significant progress, but we have problems.

[@goldenoldie3524]

Thanks for the vids. Watch the EAA one hour long vid about the 916. He talks about the changes to the engine for longevity based on their inspection of the 915 engines. Based on what he says, I think it is highly unlikely that the TBO will be extended for the 915. $10K extra is a big hit, but it will payoff on resale (I think). My quick build 916 kit arrived in Torrance about two weeks ago. With builder's assist I should be flying by next May. Rick.

[@paulborror2544]

Some comments/questions: The “missing” pieces. Backordered? Or on the inventory as shipped but you didn’t receive? Discovered during inventory? I had a number of backordered parts during my build. But never a part shown as shipped that I didn’t receive. Some backordered parts I received somewhat quickly. Others not so much. There’s a lot of work you can do with the front fuselage section. It’s at least as much work as the tail you’re showing in the video. Maybe more. You're discovering exactly what I've mentioned before. Unlike the wing and empannage kits and KAI's, the fuselage KAI leaves a little to the imagination and doesn't have every rivet or detail. My kit has the coolant based heat exchanger on the inside for the heater. But I'm not installing the "spider" duct arrangement. By all accounts, doesn't work that great. I'm going to have only cool vent on the instrument panel and rear side wall. Then heat with new ducts to the front and back in the center console. Will use some 3D printed parts. Many are making this change. Maybe something you also may want to look at? There’s no question Sling kind of expects you to buy all the kits at once because you’re right there are some parts called out that are in different kits. But I didn’t order the FWF kit until after the fuselage. I had to do a couple workarounds and Cleco stuff temporarily until the FWF kit arrived. But it didn’t stop me from basically completing the fuselage. I ordered the fuselage, canopy, undercarriage, and upholstery (because of the lead time for the upholstery) at the same time. I wouldn’t have done it any differently. The canopy is a huge part of the fuselage build. Surprised you haven’t ordered. It will stop you much sooner than the FWF. I entertained the 916 for my build. But couldn’t get over the increased cost. Plus since I already had the 915 cowl, engine mount, etc. the added cost was more than just the engine. There’s no question the 916 is basically required for the high wing. The low wing performs very well with the 915. The 1200 TBO is an issue I guess. But as an experimental, you’re not locked into that. I assume you know that.

[@gregbuildsplanes]

@@paulborror2544 it’s interesting, the bulkhead for example was not on the inventory list, not in the crate, but required. This is a situation I’ve seen a few times now and for me is due to kit changes such as updates to newer parts. For some reason the parts end up omitted. I do have the canopy crate, it’s currently the other work surface, I will also run the heater duct mod to the rear seats. I’m one of the first with this new heater arrangement so we’ll have to figure out what’s happening as we go. There is hope, I’m aware a new version of the manual for the fuselage is coming. As everyone has indicated, there’s a lot of issues with this current version. For instance, one I caught - on rib assembly 2, the forward most one, the instructions keep insisting to rivet parts into the holes where the center ribs mate up. If you follow that blindly, you end up with 4 of the 6 ribs blocked, so - 16 rivets you’d have to drill out. I’m doing the same as you in some areas, basically cleco’ing parts and I’ll also leave myself painters tape notes. You’ll see me shift as well to the center section as well in the coming videos ;)

[@pauld-nz2316]

I’m pretty much at the same stage as you In the build. I’m also finding the Kai is not as good as the wing and emp ones so I’m double checking everything with the high wing manual for parts that are the same as that manual seems a lot more complete. I also have the new heater, which again only appears in the HW Kai. What parts from the firewall forward kit do you need to get a rollling chassis? Like you I’m yet to order my FF kit as I thought I could get it up on its wheels before that and then make the call to go either 915 or 916. I also have a few parts missing plus a few on backorder and so will also grind to a halt fairly soon. PS the gaskets were great, thanks.

[@gregbuildsplanes]

@ awesome! Reach out to sling technical. They can share some of the new manual pages for the heater system and throttle quadrant. My desire on the firewall is to get the heater system installed, battery box, plus the support channel and the coolant mount angles. Ends up being 5-6 parts, but with that I would feel comfortable to put on the firewall foam and the engine mount.