Punch List HOBBS 2048.0 hrs

I apologize for not posting for a couple weeks now, I have to admit to being bogged down on getting my wiring done so I can mount the wings. Fear not however, I have been plugging away at it, even though I haven't posted. Lately though, it seems most days I go to the hangar I get there not knowing exactly what to attack next with the wiring. All I see is wires running everywhere and its getting harder and harder to keep track of what I've done and what's left. Bottom line, I haven't had a good game plan. Now, consider that I haven't really had a game plan during the entire four year build and its worked just fine, but for some reason its starting to haunt me now as my head is about to explode. Maybe its because I am so far out of my comfort zone with the wiring...or maybe its the fact that I am nearing the end and all of the last minute items seem overwhelming, or it could be combination of both? When is it going to be done...how close am I? I really don't know?

Whatever the reason, it came to me that it was time to fashion my punch list. I've used punch lists plenty in a former life working for a general contractor in commercial construction, so its an idea I am comfortable with. I was hoping to get through the wiring before I did this, but alas, I needed a jump start and figured this was the ticket. Why did I not do this sooner? Well, I look at it like this...I constantly have a punch list in my head. I have forgotten my name, my address or my gym combination lately, but if you ask whats going on with the airplane...I will give you a 30 minute answer. So, if its in my head, why the change now? I think I just realized...its all up there, but its so disorganized and getting harder to keep track of. Also, a punch list gives me a general idea how to answer all those darn questions of "when is it going to be done?" Everyone told me I would get sick of hearing that as I neared completion...well, I am already there. :) My normal greeting is, "Hi Ron, do you have that airplane done yet?"  In my head I think, "you know I forgot about that...glad you reminded me, I am trying to finish an airplane."  Trust me when I tell ya, there is no one more consumed with the fact than I that I'm not done yet.

So, this week I set down at my computer...not at the hangar mind you, and purely from memory, spit out 104 items that needed to be done before first flight. I thought, wow...all of that was in my little ol' head?? No wonder I cant remember my name! It was also a cold splash to the face...104 items and an estimated 137 more labor hours! That would bring my total to almost 2200 hrs...much more than the 2000-ish I was planning on, which is the reason for me missing on my estimated completion date. Too many custom deviations from plans...they add up in labor hours. 

Bottom line...I have a good two months left before it will fly. I forgot my camera at the hangar, so no pics to share in this post but I'll get ya caught up shortly when I get a minute. I'm off all week for the 4th of July so I should get some good hours logged. Until then, have a good 4th!