UPDATE 9/29 -My Cessna 180 Project - She is Flying

[Glidergeek]

You used the wrong alternator kit, mine has the plane power alternator kit. Seems to me it took a different Pulley and I've got about three quarters of an inch clearance between the pulley on the alternator and the firewall.

[dirtstrip]

No doubt! Been thinking about that first flight A LOT, given all that we have done. Its going to be an entirely different plane.

The wings for starters are much different with the SM kit and extensions, not to mention the "angle of incidence" given we have them at neutral now. Not certain whats going to happen there. Hoping that we dont need to change much. May end up with a wing heavy, who knows. All the builders out there, any ideas? Its going to be fun and I will have several rags in my palms soaking up the sweat I am certain...

Here is the fine tuning of rigging I got for the Tundra from the designer and I have trouble shot the step dad's Super Cub with it too and it works but remember the Tundra has two struts on each wing as do the Cubs. Trouble shooting theory is the same but the method used to adjust the single strutted wing will be different.

1. If the plane flies level but in a crab, as in the nose is not aligned with tail, then look for unequal drag on one side or other. The most common adjustment here is one flap is a bit more down than the other. (Fly this test directly into the wind or on a calm day so to eliminate any possible side wind induced crab.)


2. If the plane wants to roll in hands-off flight, as in one wing feels heavy, then that wing has less lift than the other and the washout needs to be changed by adjusting the length of the rear strut on one side to equal them out. Make only a half turn or one turn of the bottom clevis of the rear strut at a time. Lengthening the rear strut lessens the angle of attack at the leading edge of that wing tip making for less lift and increases washout, and shortening it makes more angle and more lift but decreases the washout. If you do not adjust the washout equally on both wings, one wing will always drop out first in the stall and set you up for the roll over. The Tundra uses one degree of washout which measures .686 inch difference from level between front and rear spar at the outer end of the wing when the plane is sitting level.

As I said, I do not know how to make this washout adjustment on a single strut aircraft such as the Cessna.
Cessna guys jump in.

For the first test flight I flew only a few feet up off the runway till I was comfortable with handling and set it back down. When I was comfortable with how it landed, then I took it up. Take it in steps rather than all at once and you will find how it lands before you fly it.

[low rider]

It's probably going to be all messed up . I think it would be best to let me fly it first ... On second thought ........

[aktahoe1]

It's probably going to be all messed up . I think it would be best to let me fly it first ... On second thought ........

It probably is... That first flight will be only a couple feet off the ground. Thankfully the Nervino runway is very long.

Angle of incidence is something I have been reading a lot about. For starters we are going with neutral. Will adjust from there. Will be putting a prop on this week we are thinking. Had to go away on business the past few days and anxious to see our progress tomorrow. Will post just as soon as she is rolled out of the hanger.

Lowrider, your going to be riding in the right seat! Bring your your parachute...

Looks like we are down to Yellowbelly 17th at 4pm (Flyenger is out on the 17th at 330pm) Soy 23rd 345pm thats if we dont go into September. Then we still have Jumpy of the Coyote. Really trying to make Austin

AKT

[chance]

Stopped by Nervino last week. The plane was still under deep sedation but it looks like the parts around her are all that you need. She is going to be a (can't think of a better word) monster.

Chance

[soyAnarchisto]

Get this thing in the air and put us out of our misery!

Looks like we are down to Yellowbelly 17th at 4pm (Flyenger is out on the 17th at 330pm) Soy 23rd 345pm thats if we dont go into September. Then we still have Jumpy of the Coyote. Really trying to make Austin

AKT

[aktahoe1]

Well here we go...

We are officially very close. We got a lot done the past two days and most of the little things are almost complete. Thinking Thursday/Friday sometime... ...but we all know how that goes. Here are a few photos from early AM today. I should have taken some photos when I left today but forgot due to the fact we were pretty fired up by days end.

Still waiting for my new tach to arrive. This is interesting. You can get it reset for around $350-$400 or just buy a new one for the same price. Mine was overnighted and arrived today. It will go in tomorrow.

You can see the hole for the tach here on the right


New baffling is beautiful


Same goes for prop and spinner number 1..Starting out with the 401 -86" Mac for break-in. Once we break in the engine we will start our test of the two props...MT vs Mac


Most of the stuff you see here not finished was completed by days end today


I needed to put the 29's in this photo for the planes ego... ...MT prop in the box on floor


Had a body shop in Reno do the work on the top cowling. It came back near perfect.


So as said, we are getting close. The cowl needs some rivets still, the control cables need to be rigged along with a couple little things still around the engine area.

This is the week...

Soy...your suddenly looking VERY GOOD on your guess!!!

AKT

[58Skylane]

Looking good Kevin!! I'm a bit jealous

I guess I missed out on the guessing game. But since mine won't count anyway. I'm going to guess Friday August 24 at 4:20pm

[soyAnarchisto]

This is the week...

Soy...your suddenly looking VERY GOOD on your guess!!!

AKT

So's yellowbelly. Pretty awesome.

[soyAnarchisto]

I asked the magic 8-ball if she's going to fly tomorrow - answer was "without a doubt."



http://www.m8ball.com/index.php?answer=5733001

[Yellowbelly]

I asked the magic 8-ball if she's going to fly tomorrow - answer was "without a doubt."

Soy: I think U da Man!! It's 11:30PM on the 23rd. Think I'm out. I'm throwing in the fleece.

AKT: That thing looks beeyoutifool.

[soyAnarchisto]

No news is bad news... Go pick the fleece back up. I guess there's always September.

Please get this thing in the air AKT.

Soy: I think U da Man!! It's 11:30PM on the 23rd. Think I'm out. I'm throwing in the fleece.

[aktahoe1]

Soy...your acting like a democrat...
No fly today. Your good to go for awhile and I am betting your the winner given the next pick is a couple weeks out. Price is right remember? Your now holding 1 dollar. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Have not seen bob barker in a very longtime.

We are very close...all little things have been buttoned up. Just doing a few things to my alternator and re-fitting my oil filter system. New tach is in, control cables done, etc.

No work Sat and Sunday...Monday we should start her up. That doesn't mean she will fly but...no leaks and things are tight...(along with no wind, etc) she will go. Given all of the new details, wings, engine, etc...conditions will need to be perfect.

Stay tuned

Akt

[hotrod150]

Interesting contrast, to see that nice 6-pack (actually 8-pack) panel & modern radio gear behind those old-school 1953 D-ring yokes.

[soyAnarchisto]

Soy...your acting like a democrat...
No fly today. Your good to go for awhile and I am betting your the winner given the next pick is a couple weeks out. Price is right remember? Your now holding 1 dollar. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Have not seen bob barker in a very longtime.

Akt

I assume by "acting like a democrat" you mean "acting against my best interest and pointing out the right thing to do?" Let's not go to hot air! I only had a 1-day window on the 23rd. Now I'm out to September. LIke I said, I'm giddy as a school girl for you any way this goes. Let me know if I'm wrong - I'd love to go skiing with you - believe you me!

Yellowbelly had the 24th and the 25th - so he's now sitting on the dollar:

AKT:

So once again you got her home without a ferry permit eh? Is this a "keeping up with Lonnie" thing?

Glad you're OK and still have some feelings for the plane even after she snarled at you and scratched you right on the wallet. It's hard to think of them as "equipment". Hope you know somebody who has 180 firewalls stacked up like tupperware. Coming apart is a bit easier than going back together when you don't want any wrinkles and you don't want to box up anything that should have been attended to. It ain't Legos. Legos are hard.

You sound motivated, but my brother's Luscombe is still in pieces after several years, mostly because he wants it perfect. Best of luck and I'm guessing:

July 27, 3PM (2012 )
Aug 17, 4PM
Aug 21, 6PM
Aug 24, 6PM
Aug 25, 10AM

I'll take my fleece to the dry cleaners next week. I think I've got plenty of time.

[Yellowbelly]

Holy crap Soy!!

I completely forgot about my LAST date choice. Fleece is dusted off again.

AKT: You got a good night's sleep last night, right?? Get that beast out there today and into the air. I'm truly looking forward to pix of that event as much as the skiing

YB

[aktahoe1]

Well....I think tomorrow is the day...wind depending...We have a few very small issues to deal with in the am and that could turn my day into a friday flight given the attention we need for the few engine dealings. Basically tying up the battery details and oil filtration system. Also needed to change the small little tires back over to my BW's. All in all, it should only take a couple hours but we all know how that goes....The wind has been howling around here by 10am every day. Not really fired up to fly a new engine/wing etc., in the wind just yet.

Thats my update. She is going to fly very soon!

AKT

[robw56]

Awesome! Can't wait to see it!

[chance]

AKT
I was by Nervino twice in the last two weeks but missed you both times. looked like things were coming along well. The weather looks to be a go for tomorrow and friday.AM temps are really low- well higher than Truckee. Good luck and no unexpected surprises. My strip is not done but lots of pasture if you need a place to set down in Long Valley.
See you at Reno if not before.
Chance

[piperpainter]

That means you need to break her in quick so we can have some flying adventures! The Fall is upon us and well, the cooler temps!