Sonex Waiex B, part 28-fuel system and finishing off around the Glare Shield.

Finishing off all those jobs around the fuel tank and instrument panel so I can rivet off the glare sheild and fill the tank with fuel.
#aeroplane
#experimentalaircraftchannel
#flying
#sonex
#sonexaircraft
#homebuiltaircraft
#homebuiltaircraft

[@dan_der_flieger]

It's looking good, Andy! I enjoyed this one.

[@pandyseven]

Thanks Dan, I am getting close to fitting the windscreen for the final time..

[@bryancotton7279]

Looks good! No worries about deleting the fuel shutoff pushrod, if you can turn it on and off from the seat that is what matters. And parts left off don't add weight!

[@pandyseven]

Agree, and the pull handle is there for the future should I decide to do it. Did you by chance read John Jensen replay on fuel spillage, is that something all Sonex Pilot/owners face?

[@gavinssonexb]

It's all looking really good Andy - Excellent work, well thought out 🤩 I have just realised that I've left something off the Instrument Panel. As there is only one control stick I need to locate a second PTT switch for the passenger 😯 Luckily I have some space left on the right hand end of the panel. Are you having a second PTT? 🙂

[@pandyseven]

I could probably use the same PTT for both pilot and pax off the control stick?

[@gavinssonexb]

I'm not sure about the V16 radio bit the Trig radio I'm using routes the pilot mic to the radio when the pilot PTT is pressed and routes the passenger mic to the radio when the passenger PTT is pressed. If both are pressed the pilot mic is routed to the radio.

[@gavinssonexb]

I've just read the V16 manual and on page 5 it says that you may join the two PTT's together to make a single PTT 😊

[@pandyseven]

Electronics are so confusing

[@johnjensen2217]

One thing about the Sonex B design that has bothered me is how the fuel filler access is essentially open to the cabin and the area behind the instrument panel. It seems that a funnel with a long neck is an absolute must to avoid the possibility of getting any fuel spilled on the glare shield or behind the panel. Have you considered any design modifications to seal off the fuel filler neck from the cabin? I’ve had many thoughts about it but I don’t think I’ve come to a satisfactory solution.

[@pandyseven]

Great question John, something I have never even considered. That said I don’t know of any other aircraft out there with a similar issue but am sure there are plenty. It is too late to make allowance for spillage so will go with the funnel and or take my time whilst filling the aircraft.

[@bryancotton7279]

On the A model it's common to build a little catch tray between the fuel tank opening and the box that extends into the engine bay. Mine has a line plumbed to the outside so any spillage will drain outside. I think you could do something similar for a B model but it would be difficult. If I had a B model I'd use a combination of a rubber mat with a hole in it and a funnel. We use a rubber mat intended to line a toolbox to protect the windshield when fueling.

[@pandyseven]

ok, that sounds like a plan, I will work on something