hammdo

I use detail juice and boost juice from Garry Dean. About 1 gallon of water, 2 buckets (1 with clean microfiber towels, one for dirty). Then some waterless wash, finish with detail spray... on the outside... Adams interior cleaners on the inside... nice and quick... i clay bar often as it removes quite a bit of junk — after I do a ‘cleaning’ wash. Clay-bar with detail spray or a good lube the do a what it needs... -Don

Humm, good idea on the rudder/tail-cone stringer... -Don

Current updates are done! Gonna pick her up Monday. When fuel gauge gets in, I’ll have the AP do that. Can’t wait to fly her! i have the rudder bell horn so I can do the update to what the C models can do. If anyone knows who to contact about what it takes (paperwork would be awesome), I’d like to show my AP that so we know what to do... Fun times ahead! -Don

Ditto, Dawley did mine. Don Maxwell sent it to them for OH... -Don

Yep but, that will probably be an engine analyzer for me with that option installed. Its on a 'future' path for me ;o) Insight G3 or G4, or EDM 900 -- time will tell... -Don

I did but for my mission right now, this is what I wanted to stay with. Only so much funds right now and this will be better than a single gauge. I gave it a lot of though and decided to just get this and go from there... -Don

Keeping with the theme of safety items, I ordered the Aerospace Fuel Gauge 202 (resistor) version: The 'B' has a single tank gauge with a 'switch' to change from Left to Right tank -- not a fan of that. This will give me a better idea of fuel and, has pages to let me know fuel flow. In the next month, seat belts -- talked to my A&P/IA -- suggested I look @ Hookers -- they've installed them and like how they work. Little by little, getting there... -Don

I'll have mine next week!

Went to Edge today to check on progress— new windshield is fantastic! The icom radio had a setting that needed to be set and its working well. New carb/oat instrument is in their hands and is going in. Should have it all ready by early next week. Pics to follow when everything is done. Having the carb ice detection and new blocks are important for sure. Cant wait... Pedal extensions are next when I get her back... -Don

I wanted the edm 700 but, ran out of panel space. I have to go G3 and remove egt or cht as the G3 is good for primary of both. May move suction gauge to the copilots side so I can have the G3 in its place... -Don

Good to know. I’d get that ridge inspected to make sure that did not contribute to your experience. Laser has new blocks btw if it is out of spec. Quick install based on what my AP told me on mine... -Don

I see a ridge in the middle of the block very similar to mine. I’d turn the flash on for the camera and see if it’s as pronounced as it appears. That doesn’t look like the original block. I’d check the logs to see when it was replaced. Edit: Added the pic from my thread.. -Don

I’ve flown the F and My B — there is a difference. I was surprised but, I believe the weight and power difference changes thing enough that practice is needed. I had no issues flying the F with no flaps, partial, and full - power on, off and with 25 knot cross winds. The short body B was obviously lighter (by 300 lbs) and I could tell. I think after about 5 more hrs, I’ll have it down in my B... -Don

Well after a month, the pedal kit FINALLY came in from Germany! New old stock and in excellent shape: Once I get the plane back, this is the next to get installed. Then a good interior cleanup/shampoo and possibly, new carpet if this one doesn't clean up good, since this one is showing its age... I'll be looking into doing the seat belts in the next month or so. -Don

That ridge made me nervous. I had a heck of a time getting the safety lock set - Only fully set on landing. If you pull the Johnson bar really hard, you could get it to pop out. Basically I grounded the plane until I could get these installed - man the new blocks worked much better,... Slowly but surely things are getting done - monitor and shoulder belts on the list... -Don

Well, they finally got the blocks on and boy they work great! I have some pics of the old blocks and the Gear Down Block was worn: The ridge was preventing the Johnson bar from locking in place properly -- once landed it was fully in -- did not like how it acted for sure. Up lock was just ovaled: One thing we did notice is my B's blocks were about 1/8" wider than the machined blocks -- probably and early design. They had to 'tweak' the spring so it set in all the way. The pin would normally rest right next to the block when fully engaged however, its just a 'bit' off. Still works perfectly. Also the bolts called out for in the manual we're too long for my B -- Edge had the right lengths in stock. Windshield is moving along already! Gonna be a dependable plane... -Don

Took the plane up to Edge Aviation today with my CFI -- fun to fly! Getting the down/up lock blocks done and while I'm at it, the Windshield: Solar Gray with the UV protection! Should help a ton! Since the hole is not in the windshield, I'm going with a Carb/OAT gauge (clock doesn't work and its not 'required' equipment for VFR) so its going there. Here is the unit: Comes with everything! Should really help now on the carb icing side of things... -Don

Very nice for sure! -Don

I’m going to pull the seats after I get the blocks installed so I’ll check then — thanks for the tip! -Don

Windshields are in! Now, to get on the schedule to have them installed ... that may be a challenge as the shop is very busy! -Don

My Blackstone report is in -- about what I expected for a plane that did not fly much in the last 26 years: Here is the pdf from Blackstone that tells you what it all means... https://www.blackstone-labs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Understanding-Aircraft-combined.pdf What this needs is to change the oil more often if it sits as well as to run the engine more. I've also added CamGuard and based on this report, will be changing the oil in 6 months or 15 hrs. When I'm not flying, I go out and run the engine for about 45 minutes until the oil gets hot. I do the runup in the runup area and get her up to 1700 rpm and do the usual 'run up checks'. Going to watch the trends for sure -- she's running great though so time to make her happy and run her more often. The next report will be a bit more interesting since I hope to have more hrs on her. -Don

Since we can’t see the other breaker, nav lights or strobes maybe. Possibly gear warn...

My 'attitude' is now adjusted and working! Did an hour long test and validated it was operating properly -- no noises as today was around 50° (was noisy on a 48° day). Here it is in action: She goes in next Friday for the new down/up lock blocks! Waiting on the windshields to come in -- that will be next. Still waiting on the pedal extensions (probably delayed due to the Wuhan virus). -Don

Nice flyer! Congrats! -Don

Lol... blocks go in week from next Monday. New windshield halves on order. Now researching analyzers ;o). little at a time... -Don