bigrenna wrote:Finished up the Cessna Seat Stop kit install today. Works nice...

Is Cessna still paying for the left seat?

Also added a cool 90 degree LED bulb to the overhead cabin light. (sorry for the shitty photos... just had my iPhone today)

58Skylane wrote:

bigrenna wrote:Finished up the Cessna Seat Stop kit install today. Works nice...

Is Cessna still paying for the left seat?

INDEED! Cost me nuthin!

bigrenna wrote:

58Skylane wrote:

bigrenna wrote:Finished up the Cessna Seat Stop kit install today. Works nice...

Is Cessna still paying for the left seat?

INDEED! Cost me nuthin!

Great! I still need to get mine done. I thought Cessna had an expiration date for that seat belt? Did they extend the expiration date?

Did you install the belt yourself?

58Skylane wrote:
Great! I still need to get mine done. I thought Cessna had an expiration date for that seat belt? Did they extend the expiration date?

Did you install the belt yourself?

Yes. They keep extending... We bought the part from Yingling. The AP does the install, and then you send a copy of the log entry back to them. They then credit you the purchase price of the part plus the labor rate their book have for the job. I think in my 180H it was 3 hrs. Its an easy install.

For this project, I am keeping a real keen eye on weight. Everything that is not needed is fair game for the chopping block. Im a utilitarian at heart, and the Skywagon will be a direct reflection of those principles. Removed a fishing pole/ski tube that was installed in the 80's. Its actually a really well engineered/built box and was useful on the trip across country, but for me, it wasnt in the cards. (BTW... if anyone is interested in this, it will be for sale. PM me.)

Also removed the hat shelf.

Greg,
Enjoying this thread. Did you get that cool 90 degree overhead light from ledlight.com as well? And if so, do you have the part # handy. Looking to change over some of the lights to LED in my 170. I have the same overhead cabin/panel light consel as you do in your 180. You are 12V aren't you?
Thanks for posting the results on all your hard work.
Tom

I will have to try to dig up the P/N. I know it was pretty easy to find as it is the same base P/N as the stock bulb on the ledlight.com website.

G-

Hey Bigrenna-

Congrads on the new C-180

I am a "utilitarian freak" so I loved the way you had your C-170 set-up. I have been getting some great inspiration for my C-182. I really appreciate the quality photo's, links to vendors and P/N's. I have also been following this on your web site- great stuff!

Looking forward to following this project

Fantastic day today at Plymouth (PYM.) Was able to get in the left seat and stretch her out for nearly 3 hours of grass flying along with some good instruction.



We are fortunate here in Eastern Mass to have at least a dozen well maintained grass strips within a 20 mile radius, and its my plan to use em.



Sherman Field


Myricks Field


Cape Cod Airport

We started at the home base of Plymouth (PYM) and headed to my friend Dicks private strip called Sherman Field. (MA63.) From there, it was south west to a great grass strip called Myricks (1M8,) and then south east to Cape Cod Airport AKA Marstons Mills (2B1.)

When I bought her, I was a bit nervous flying the 180, worrying that it might be a bit too much airplane, but after today, I feel really good and am ready to settle in and really start to learn how to fly her. I can already tell it's behaving differently with all the weight out of the tail and really is nice on the larger tires. It really is fun to fly... And although its not that dramatic of a cuff, the Owl Stol cuff really makes it nice and docile.

Found a couple more squawks today that I am adding to the list. Nothing major, but expected. All in all, I got in about 20 grass landings and learned a ton. A great way to spend an afternoon!

Awesome adventure, I must say I am a bit jealous.

Another great day of flying here in Eastern MA. Got 2.5 done and flew down the Long Island coast to check out some of the damage from Sandy. Turned around just south of Montauk and then up along the coast at 600' at 80mph. Hit Block Island for a yummy veggie burger (with bacon) and then back to KPYM.

Was able to get a good sense on the performance with the 8.5x10's and bubbles vs/ the 6.00x6's. Prior to the mod, I was seeing 145 mph at cruise. By no means is this scientific, nor did I try too hard to get the parameters the same, but today I averaged 140 mph. Pretty much what I figured with the bigger tires.

I also think I got the tire pressure in the "sweet spot." During yesterdays grass work, I felt way to firm on the grass. On my C170, I would run pretty light at 12psi. Since it was real light, there wasnt much deflection in the sidewall, and it was nice and comfy off airport. Prior to TO, I air'd down to 14psi (from 20.) I will have to do some more testing, but it feels much better.

BTW... the cafe at KBID was pretty damn good. I was surprised at how busy it was on a Dec Monday afternoon. Worth stopping by.

BigRena:

Don't know whether to thank you or curse you for all the posts. I have a 59 180 and I have this feeling this thread is going to end up being expensive reading!!

I did want to point out, as a good NM resident, that cheeseburger is missing green chili. It is illegal in NM to have a cheeseburger without lots of green chili!! Come this way some day and I will introduce you to the famous Owl Cafe Greenchili Cheeseburger!

Thanks for the pictures! I have been enjoying the thread!

Larry

88H wrote:BigRena:

Don't know whether to thank you or curse you for all the posts. I have a 59 180 and I have this feeling this thread is going to end up being expensive reading!!
Larry

No worries man. It's easy for me to crank it out, and I think it's important for the community. Plus its a whole lotta fun.... Hope to meet a bunch of you guys this summer.

bigrenna wrote:

88H wrote:BigRena:

Don't know whether to thank you or curse you for all the posts. I have a 59 180 and I have this feeling this thread is going to end up being expensive reading!!
Larry

No worries man. It's easy for me to crank it out, and I think it's important for the community. Plus its a whole lotta fun.... Hope to meet a bunch of you guys this summer.

Keep it coming!

I gotta say, after reading this thread and some of these awesome pictures, it's starting to really get me inspired and motivated to at least start doing some of the easier, cheaper items on my 182. The lighting in my cabin needs a major upgrade, too.

I would love to do bubble windows, too. That alone should gain some elbow space. Wouldn't you say?

Yep, you are being a bad influence.

Keep the pics coming!

The flight from KBID back to KPYM.

58
The bubbles do give you more elbow room. That's about the only benefit but its a good one. I have them on mine and it goes from being cramped with 2 guys to plenty comfortable. You can stick your head in and look straight down to. That's nice as well. You'll need an extra latch towards the front to keep from sucking it out. I've heard that the latches you buy at the boat store work great. The kind that have a claw type receiver and a bolt with a wing nut that fold into it. You could snug it right down.