REFLECTOR: Leveling the plane

[Jim Sower]

Should have said "technique" v. "stunt".  Yes.  I'll check this out.next 
time I'm at the hangar.  If it's a smooth surface, I can shim the level 
to straddle the spar and it should work.
Jim S.

Terrence Miles wrote:

> It's not a stunt really.  I am learning to think in three dimensions 
> simultaneously as I build this thing.  When I started, I thought in 
> three dimensions, but only one at a time.  Do you have access to cabin 
> face of your firewall?
>
>> From: Jim Sower <canarder at frontiernet.net>
>> Reply-To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list 
>> <reflector at tvbf.org>
>> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Leveling the plane
>> Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2005 23:32:09 -0500
>>
>> Terry,
>> I've heard of the firewall stunt.  My firewall doesn't have a smooth 
>> surface what with all the fireproofing goop spread all over it, but 
>> I'll check if there's anything like a reasonable average.  How about 
>> the "flange" that the cowl fastens to?  I'm pretty sure that it's BID 
>> tape stuck on after the cowl is cut off and therefore unreliable.  
>> Perhaps I can figure out a way to put precise shims on the inside of 
>> the cowl so the level can straddle the spar (provided there's no goop 
>> there).
>> I'll check that out ... Jim S.
>>
>> Terry Miles wrote:
>>
>>> Jim,
>>> In the belief that the firewall is 90 degrees to level, then use your
>>> firewall and a digital level...shim the nose until you get 90 
>>> degrees to
>>> read on the level held up& down against the firewall. That incidence
>>> (sp?) wing jig does look goofy, but it works as a eye ball if that's 
>>> all
>>> you have to go on.  Big thing, I believe, is to invest in a digital
>>> level for considerably more precise readings.
>>> Terry
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Jim Sower
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 3:24 PM
>>> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
>>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Leveling the plane
>>>
>>>
>>> That sounds like what I need to do.  Problem is I have a "bought" 
>>> plane with no references.that I can find.  Is there a place on the 
>>> belly that is parallel to the reference plane, or anything like 
>>> that?  The guy I bought it from told me to use the wing leveling jig 
>>> to level the plane, but it's a piece of plywood that doesn't fit all 
>>> that well and has a dime store level glued to it.  I'd like some way 
>>> to level it for real and then drill the holes like Joe did.
>>> Been at a loss how to level this beast for the longest time ... Jim S.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> <>
>>>> Joe Ewen wrote:
>>>> Scott,
>>>> Once I had my fuselage level in pitch, I put in permanent references
>>>> for future use. Once the lower cowl is cut away its hard to 
>>>> reestablish pitch level. I made my reference points by drilling 1/4 
>>>> holes in the fuselage side approximately 6" under the strake and 3' 
>>>> apart. I then filled the holes with micro, after cure the center of 
>>>> the filled holes was drilled with a 1/8 bit (level to each other.) Now
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> when I want to put the fuselage in pitch level, I insert 1/8" bits 
>>>> into the holes (shank into hole) and rest a
>>>> 4 foot level across the bits.
>>>>
>>>> For roll level I use a theodolite (a transit would work) and 
>>>> measure down to the top of wing bolts inserted into the upper 
>>>> outboard bushings in the spare. Can read down to 0.005" from the 
>>>> horizontal plane. Water tubes work pretty well but do not have as 
>>>> good an accuracy level.
>>>>
>>>> Joe
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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