Alex's M20D (continuous thread)

[Hector]

Almost there!! We'll have to meet up somewhere to celebrate!

[Raptor05121]

1 is good, but 2 sealed tanks are betterer

[Raptor05121]

Tanks have been holding fuel for a week now.

Interior is (almost) in.



I don't want to jynx it, but tomorrow is the maintenance check flight (after I vote). Sans any major squawks, I should have it in time for the Williston pig roast this Saturday.

[tigers2007]

Bring the A&P with you for the flight... Oh, unless your of Scottish heritage, rip that plaid out ASAP. My gawd...


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[RLCarter]

Definitely on the "Home Stretch", go vote and then go FLY. 

[Raptor05121]

  On 11/8/2016 at 6:23 AM, tigers2007 said:

Bring the A&P with you for the flight... Oh, unless your of Scottish heritage, rip that plaid out ASAP. My gawd...


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I plan on buying the Airtex side panels here shortly. But $1,200 for them..ouch

A&P and instructor flew it.

  On 11/8/2016 at 2:03 PM, RLCarter said:

Definitely on the "Home Stretch", go vote and then go FLY. 

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Done!

[Guest]

  On 11/9/2016 at 3:35 AM, Raptor05121 said:

I plan on buying the Airtex side panels here shortly. But $1,200 for them..ouch

A&P and instructor flew it.

Done!

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Maurader, please que the girls!

Clarence

[Raptor05121]

We arrived Tuesday morning bright and early where we affixed the two front seats. Buttoned up the cowling and did an extensive ground run to test fuel feed from both tanks. So far they are both holding fuel, no leaks.

 

 

They circled the airport for about 10 minutes, wrote down a couple discrepancies and came back in. The short list includes a slow-to-respond MP gauge, flap and trim indicators not hooked up, and some various fuses and wiring that aren't hooked up that need to be terminated.

 

All-in-all, its been a long journey, I'm hoping the invoice isn't too painful but I AM READY TO GO FLYING!

[cctsurf]

Looks like your SO is smiling as well...That's a good sign!

[carusoam]

The SO must be a keeper!  She's been around the plane for a while now...

Best regards,

-a-

[bonal]

CONGRATS!  really glad you achieved a succesful outcome and saw it through.  As someone who also had to spend quite a lot to get mine back into shape we might have to compare notes but I definetly did not have the set backs you encountered mine was more like this is need fixed and we can do right now just provide lots of AMU's.  Now dont worry about plaid panels get out and enjoy YOUR new airplane.

[bradp]

Also has SB-208 been done?  Do replace that insulation with closed cell something or other, though. 

[Raptor05121]

  On 11/9/2016 at 9:11 PM, bradp said:

Also has SB-208 been done?  Do replace that insulation with closed cell something or other, though. 

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Yes, inspection on all components and the insulation is brand new. Being a hangared bird, I dont think I'll even have any rain on the wings let alone getting inside the cabin 

[Andy95W]

  On 11/9/2016 at 9:11 PM, bradp said:

Also has SB-208 been done?  Do replace that insulation with closed cell something or other, though. 

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Actually (surprisingly), replacement of the insulation is not required to comply with SB 208 for Alex's year and SN.

Good idea, though, like you said.

[RLCarter]

Great job getting your bird back in the air. Like yours, my E had slow to respond gauges but after 5.5hrs they have limbered up and seem fine now. Be warned, my 3rd flight was going to be a quick hop to check an audio panel repair but ended up being a 250nm joy ride. 

[Raptor05121]

That's what I like to hear. I think my IA still has to drop the belly to hook up the trim and flap indicators.

Hector, I'm not sure if I'll be making Williston or Ocala this weekend, I still need to get a couple transition hours in her with my instructor.

[Raptor05121]

She is coming home Monday!

[Hank]

Woo-hooo!!! Let the good times roll!!

[Raptor05121]

Today was a milestone. Logged 2.0 in the logbook with 8 landings. The first one sucked, and every one thereafter was better. Stalls were a non-event. But boy did you guys not warn me of how much this is a trim-happy airplane.

My friend took an awesome picture on my first takeoff:

We got her up to 6,000 feet to get a feel for it. The whole time I was behind the airplane playing catch up. I definitely need a few more lessons before I am turned loose. My mechanic will have it for a bit longer as I'm having him putting my intercom in (using a portable unit right now) but I will still be doing lessons from here on out.

Overall: WHAT AN AWESOME MACHINE!

[carusoam]

If you go out again tomorrow, the landings will be more crisp.  It's a combination of skill developed and rest acquired.

if you wait a day or two they won't be quite as good.

if you wait till next weekend, it will be the same as today.... equally cool, just not as precise as you are capable of...

This is the fight to keep the pilot's rust at bay.  

If you get to fly multiple times in a week, you get really good at based on feeling.

From my own collection of experiences... not a CFI.

Best regards,

-a-

 

[tigers2007]

Congratulations! She looks like a beautiful bird. Glad to see it actually in the air.


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[Raptor05121]

  On 11/14/2016 at 3:24 AM, carusoam said:

If you go out again tomorrow, the landings will be more crisp.  It's a combination of skill developed and rest acquired.

 

 

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Yes, I am going up tomorrow. Flying to the county home-drome and getting some home-field experience before I have to bring her back.

[bonal]

Three great milestones for the year Skates Sam Husky and your C back in the sky way to go guys

[RLCarter]

Enjoy the fruits of your labor, you did an awesome job.

[Raptor05121]

Soloed!!

 

And what a wonderful day to end it on