Date: September 28, 2008

I didn't do too much work today. I glued the battery box mount in place. (Pictures 1 and 2) Then did another test balance. The plane balances wonderfully. Even after I added the receiver battery, the plane balances well. The receiver battery is very close to the CG, so it's weight was not going to affect the balance much. I have not balanced the plane laterally yet, but I will...

I only have a little more work to do before I can say the plane is structurally complete. And that is securing the hatch. I first tried gluing a mounting block onto the back of the first bulkhead, (Picture 3) but that got in the way of removing the battery box. I will glue it to the front of the bulkhead instead. I've been looking for a good system for holding hatches in place, but none I've found look good. The hatch is large, and about 3/8" thick. (Picture 4)

Picture 1: Battery box mount glued in place, the box screwed down.
Picture 2: Battery box mount glued in place, the box screwed down.
Picture 3: First attempt at gluing hatch mount block onto firewall. It was in the way of removing the battery box, so I removed it.
Picture 4: The hatch sitting in place. I really want to find a nice hatch holding system.