Using the Adjusto-Jig.

I've had this tool for over 20 years. I've probably built 100 wings on it.I finally figured out the best way to build a wing on it. I set up the template for drilling the jig rod holes so that I can put the top and bottom leading edge sheeting on, the top rib cap strips and the top center sheeting before removing the wing from the jig. This kit, the Brodak Cardinal, is set up with their own jig rod holes but that makes you build one half of the wing at a time and I'd rather build the whole wing in one shot. The Adjusto-Jig lets me do that but with smaller jig rod holes. In order to set the holes so that I can assemble most of the wing in the jig I have to tape most of the knock-outs in place and drill the rod holes in the knock outs. I install shear webs between the spars and between the trailing edge sheeting while in the jig. I also carve and sand the leading edge to shape in the jig using the "shoe shine" sanding method. Then I make a radius gage and check that the leading edge is as close to the same along the entire wing as possible. I always use a suspended bellcrank on my planes for max strength. The Cardinal has two center ribs close together. The jig is open in the center area so I used the provided thingy and glued it to a 3/8 balse piece and used that to align the center ribs. The jig rods passed over the balse and through the center ribs.

El Dorado contest is in the books.

Saturday was a bit cool with a light breeze. I flew in Old Time Stunt and Profile expert class stunt. I got first in Old Time and second in profile. On Sunday more experts showed up bringing the total to 10 in my class. I managed to place 5th which is good for me with that bunch of people. I have been trying toget the ElCamino to idle smoothly ever since I installed the new engine 12 years ago. I finally asked our son about it and he said it was the PCV valve. I plugged the hole in the carb. and the idle smoothed out instantly. I bought a new valve and installed it but it didn't idle as smooth as plugging the hole so I took the PCV out of the system. Now when I start it cold it will keep running without pulling the choke out.

Found one.

Mice had ruined the headliner in the El Camino several years ago. I tried a few times to find someone who could replace it here in Louisiana but failed. At the contest here I was talking to one of the club memberss and out of the blue he mentioned that his son did upholstery work. The son attended the contest on Saturday and I talked to him and set up something to replace the headliner if I could find one. I called several places and they are all out. I fnally found one at National Parts Group in Florida called and set up a date for the installation. He did a very good job and the cost was the same as the first one. Now I'm trying to find the reason for the rough idle. Vacuum leaks are high on the list. The El Dorado contest is this weekend and I've been beating on the Jamison in preparation. I added a half ounce of nose weight and widened the handle spacing one hole each line, changed the elevator drag strips to 1/8 inch high from 1/16. It does improve the flying charastics some and that's good.