Brief Description: Joined Center and Aft Fuselage Sections
Today I joined the aft and center fuselage sections. I was able to balance the aft section on Karen's aerobics step sitting on my trash can while I clecoed the baggage ribs to the F-706 bulkhead. (Photo 1) I couldn't get the clecos through the bottom skins and bulkhead at this stage, so I waited until I got the sections aligned to do that step.
The instructions for bending the longerons say to leave the canopy decks clecoed in place, but they will interfere with the F-705 bulkhead when the side skins are clecoed on. I removed and trimmed them per plan (Photo 2), then re-clecoed them to the longerons.
I then clecoed the forward side skins and corner ribs to the center fuselage section. Karen then lifted and twisted the aft fuselage at my direction while I clecoed the forward side skins through the aft side skins and F-706 bulkhead (Photo 3).
I checked the forward bend and twist in the longerons against the forward side skins, and the fit looks good. I finished up by clecoing and reaming the F-720 arm rests to the side skin.
Center and aft fuselage sections joined for the first time.