Stopping for a photo shot. A confession: i broke one of the two precious drill bits again. That's enough to call it a day. Guess it is part and parcel of my project. Bye for now... i'll be back for more actions soon.

Eventually, the root rib is riveted with the inner lower skin.

Drilling in progress..

Finally , the leading nose is riveted in place. Note, i checked the alignment with my digital leveler before drilling as usual.

Here , the inner and center skins are mated together before riveted to the lower spar and cove ribs.

Proof of me doing the drilling. Thanx to Dev for the complimentary drill bits. Sorry that i will not be able to return your kindness but one thing for sure, i will fly my completed aircraft to meet you in Middle East one fine day for a beer or two.

Back to my project, the lower inner skin is positioned appropriately before being riveted to the front spar.

Exterior of VH-TCU , a Cirrus SR20 which is made of composite. Note the trendy stylish door mechanism which is out of this world. Fast cruise at TAS of 150kts ++.

Just a side track from my project..an introduction to the glass cockpit of a Cirrus SR20 at Flight Training Centre Adelaide (FTCA). Cost abt A$250 for dual training with instructors. What a big difference from the conventional steam gauge instruments/dials we are so familiar with!

The two fuselage halves which my dad and i tried fitting inside the steel container via the small sliding door at the wee hours at night.

Here , the cockpit cage is now securely housed in the steel container. Btw , good news from me : i will be starting my A340-500 conversion course on 12 May 2008 so it's bye bye to my B777 fleet. Destination wise..it will be Jakarta, Los Angeles and New York (full-stop). Sad to miss all my favourite Japan , China and NZ stations. On the other hand, i will have more opportunity to buy all the necessary aircraft tools and equipment easier than ever before. Aside , I am thinking of getting type rated in the Cirrus S20/22 plus tailwheel or even aerobatic ratings in USA. Am interested in learning to fly helicopter as well.

20 April 2008 : After my Abu Dhabi flight , i drove back to KL with two pieces of valuable drilling bits no.#40 courtesy of Dev, aircraft maintenance manager in Abu Dhabi.The attached photo is the exterior of the steel container i mentioned before that now holds the vital cockpit cage and the two fuselage halves.