Pete came over to inspect our progress, with 3m x 1.9m white Oratex fabric under his arm. He had told me that he had this left over from a previous job, and that he would donate it for our ailerons. Unfortunately there is not enough to do the 4 ailerons, each measuring 2.4m x 0.36m, only 3. So we’d have to get another 2.5 m x 0.8m from somewhere. A big thank you for your generosity, Pete!

The next task is to check the state of the ailerons later this week when I’m down at Mangrove.

Next on the agenda was the skid, one end of which needs re-glueing. I’ll get that done using an epoxy/flock mix after cleaning up the contact areas.

Pete confirmed that we had to fix the cracks on the inside wall of the cockpit, since the double wall design in combination creates the cockpit structure. There are a number of possible methods which could be used, chiefly either an overlay patch or an internal backing repair. Have to scratch our heads about that.

The elevator inspection holes we drilled need internal backing rings from 2 mm plywood which we have to hand. The rings would be inserted as a spiral and epoxied to the inside of the elevator nose boxes.

Remember that we unbolted a 1 kg steel ballast weight from the back of the fuselage? At that time we all scratched our heads as this is regarded as most unusual. Turns out this may not be that unusual in the case of Bocians. Pete tells that they elected to put 2 kg into the back of theirs at Warkworth, because when they first flew it they couldn’t get the trimmed speed down below 55 kts with 2 (fairly heavy chaps) up.

After fitting the 2 kg rear ballast they now get it down to about 45 kts, still too fast for sustained thermalling which probably should be closer to 40 kts.

I’m making a note that we should be prepared to put the steel weight back into the glider, of course after doing the weight and balance. The adjustment range for the trim tab is 10 deg +-2 up and 31 +-5 down, the latter being the angle for nose up trim. So we should perhaps aim to set it to the maximum tolerance i.e. 36 deg. down. Will do some more research on this when the time gets nearer.

In summary, St. Peter approved of our workmanship so far and we have the go-ahead to commence the painting process. Thanks Pete!