In the morning of day 3 the entire bottom course of plywood was attached.It was now time to begin the untested part of conic construction- building the first "horn." The horn is a peak created by the intersection of three inverted cones (see previous computer models to visualize the inverted cones). We started at one of the "terminating peaks" and began attaching panels on either side and weaving a parabolic arch toward the horn.

Andreas was the first to climb on the parabolic ridge and connect the panels at the ridge using 50lb.test zip ties that slipped through holes every 3 inches. The stability of the ridge was immediately apparent and the crew quicking gained confidence in the structural integrity of the conic.

One of the most amazing photographs taken shows Michael Jerimiah standing directly under Andreas. Both of them seem oblivious to the fact that Andreas is being supported by a thin 1/2" sheet of plywood held together in a configuration that has never been built before. Later it was Michael Jerimiah that proved to me the integrity of the conic by shimming all over the ridges while I clung to the horn somewhat panic stricken.

By the end of day 3 we had reached the horn from the first terminating peak. All that was left was to replicate this process from the other two terminating peaks - a realitively simple chore.

From a construction and testing standpoint the conic was essentially built. The remaining two segments could be completed in hours.