Jan 02, 2024     Finished - sort of!       Category: Paint / Decals

First flight Nov. 15/23. 20 Hr. as of now and all is well. There are still some details to finish when spring comes and it's warmer out.

  Oct 21, 2023     Finally!       Category: Inspection

Had scheduled my final inspection for today about 2 weeks ago. Passed with a few minor snags which were rectified on Monday Oct 23. Then winter came and dumped a pile of wet snow and minus 19 temps. This kept me from closing up all the access panels as it was too cold. Finally finished up and did some taxiing to get the feel of the controls. No oil leaks and no issues. Gear fairings have now been installed. Waiting for insurance to get back to me. A few more weeks of summer would be nice too!

  Oct 16, 2023     Out of the shop after 6 years!       Category: Moving day

Started engine in shop to make sure it would run before dragging it out to the hangar. Just idled it and was great. That afternoon I had help come to move it out on dollies and through the trees to the road. I hooked it up to the quad and pulled it backwards down the road to my strip and hangar. Then on Thur I had a friend come to set the computer timing. This was not a pleasant task shining a timing light up while the prop is idling. But it will never have to be done again - re SDS EFII.

  Oct 13, 2023     prop mount       Category: Propeller

Drilled the 3 prop bolt holes for the tiny magnets to operate the SDS Hall sensor and mounted the prop. It's a Prince Aircraft Prop.

  Oct 11, 2023     panel powered up       Category: Avionics

Finally time to power the panel and hold my breath. It all works and have spent some time in configuration. However, there is still much to do.

  Sep 28, 2023     decals and registration marks       Category: Paint / Decals

Finally have the decals applied and set date for final inspection.

  Sep 26, 2023     engine, exhaust and accessories       Category: Engine

Have finished the baffles and mounted the exhausts. Ran fuel lines and finished wiring.

  Aug 28, 2023     Baffles       Category: Engine

Having no old parts for templates, I had to start from scratch. I wanted the rear baffle to be 1 piece so after making the template I made progressive bends until it was done. I had allowed extra to allow for trimming. The sides are similar to the Cherokee and quite different from original.

  Aug 28, 2023     engine mounting       Category: Engine

Have the engine mounted and tried to fit the cowlings but now confirmed the 0-200 is 1/2' longer than the A65 original. So had to turn down the aluminum collars to allow the rubber isolators to fit closer. The cowl now fits, but it is tight.
Then proceeded to mount the new exhaust and found out the pipe is too close to the adjacent intake elbow. So I had to make a jig to press down the area where it was touching. Now it looks like the C-150 exhaust tube.
Have now included pics of the clearance after squeezing the pipe in a jig.

  Aug 21, 2023     Oleo inside cockpit       Category: Landing Gear

Have the carpet cut for the floors and have the cutout for the oleo to allow room for movement. Will cut a piece to fill the hole.