Operational: Rudder gust lock.

I fashioned a quick and inexpensive rudder gust lock.  It's slightly different than other similar designs I've seen:  Rather than using an extension that secures the gust lock in place, mine is lodged into place between the F-01435 Cover Base and F-01483 Forward Bottom Skin.

The gust lock stays in place, even when manipulating the rudder rather authoritatively.  The aft tee is the key to keeping the whole contraption lodged in place.  There is some flex when the rudder is providing a lot of force.  If that becomes a problem, a thick dowel inserted into the pipe(s) would help alleviate that issue. 

It's important to place the aft tee where a F-01438 Cover Rib is located to provide something rigid for the gust lock to be pushed into when the rudder is moving.  Otherwise the Cover Base is at risk of being bent.

I use one on each side, in case either dislodges or fails.

Parts list from Lowe's for one gust lock:

• Two 22693 1/2"x1/2"x3/4" reducer tees (cut to fit over the WD-655 Rudder Pedal frames).
• Two 23874 3/4" tees.
• Two 23868 3/4" elbows.
• One 23972 5' section 3/4" pipe cut into the following lengths:
• Two 2" lengths to go from the center tee to the elbows.
• Two 4" lengths to go from the elbows to the reducer tees.
• One cut to length as required to get a snug fit into the joint between the Cover Base and Forward Bottom Skin.

My total cost for a pair:  $15.40.

Modification: Canopy lock.

When I bought my ignition switch, I got the one with the lock set.  My plan was to drill through the F-01470-L Fuselage Side Skin similar to what other folks do.  But, I eventually balked at that as there is a definite...finality...to that approach that I couldn't stomach.

Instead, I thought I could fit a padlock through the C-609 Canopy Latch and C-607 Latch Handle.  Below gives an idea of the available dimensions for the purpose.

Center-to-center, at the outboard edges of the Canopy Latch and Latch Handle, the two parts are 3/4" apart.  So I needed a lock with the same center-to-center shackle width.  The Master 4130 fit the bill.  Dimensions are A:3/16", B:9/16", C:9/16" with a width of 9/8", which gives that 3/4" center-to-center spacing I needed.  Although the shackle diameter is larger than I wanted, it will work.

A #11 (0.191") hole was drilled into the C-106 part and a 7/32" (0.219") hole was drilled into the C-107 part.  One hole has to be larger to accommodate the curvature of the shackle during insertion.

The lock then fits in very snug.  It cannot move even on a windy day.