episode180

I am based at Bessemer, Al (EKY) west of B'ham but still inside the "city" surroundings. Sad to say, we used to be a thriving metropolis of aviation activity. Currently, its pretty much a ghost town with a handful of planes visible on the ramp at best and the occasional transient stopping in for kerosene. It is a nice, big airport with 1st class fbo and friendly folks, just no buzz any more.

Brian, my project is currently in the "covered with dust" phase. I have owned it since '09, and prior to that, it has not been out of the hangar since pre-9/11 in the summer of '01. It belonged to a friend of a friend, who is a very knowledgeable and active man. He got caught in some bad weather single pilot IFR, bad enough to make "the deal", and has not flown it since. He went to Harley's full time, until recently retiring and purchasing a Luscombe. I am happy he is flying again, even if only low and slow. He put over 100.000 miles on his Ultra Classic in the last decade, so its not like ha has been sitting still. I am organizing my attack plan. A new battery, air in the tires, and some fuel, and hypothetically, it should be flying. So, I have to move past the "dream" phase into reality. I am into it at a point I can throw money at it for years, and still be ok. Now, gotta find the money. MooneySpace keeps my interest up. What I need is a ride in a Mooney to push me back into the "out of control, plane crazy, aviation addict" that I once was. Ah, someday....... Thanks for the reply. I will watch for more pics of your interior. It sounds like a really nice design. I have Memory Foam on hand to do mine when the time comes. Chuck

I missed out on the deal, but would love to see some photo's of the seat pans and/or spring style assemblies as well as things in the disassembled stages. I have not gone into the side panels of my '62-C yet, and am planning on a seat recover and a newer side panel design in the future. I haven't flown in mine yet, its a slow but steady project that is getting more love thrown at it than money for now. Someday we will fly again. Love this site and like many, I read for hours just to learn what I can. Thanks to all for sharing the knowledge. Chuck.

I bid on that same set. They started out LOW and caught my attention. I failed to stay on it. Congrats. Did you say the seller makes them? Maybe he will list again.

If I use the drill/clutch method, I torque them with the drill set to just run them in and seat them. After all are in I go over each one with a screwdriver and hand tighter that last 1/4 turn or so. That way I know I got them all tight and don't have to second guess my drill's abilities.

I recently installed new tires and tubes on my '62 M20C and found the straight stems that Spruce sent me are just long enough to require bending them over drastically to fill and get the cap on and off. I think the bent stem would work better in my circumstance. Bending the straight molded stem will eventually take its toll, as it ages. The threaded on bent stem on the other hand has its drawbacks as well if you get to forceful with the air chuck. As always, failure will come at the least opportune time, so just be gentle.