Not sure why I'm posting this except that several threads recently have reminded me of 5XV. The first being the posting of 5 place seat belts in the 180, 182, and 170. If Matt had come out with this earlier, I might still be flying the 180. I've got 3 skinny tailed kids that would cram perfectly into the back seat of a 53' 180. Additionally, I'm having 8.50s mounted along with the Airglas fork and aerotwin gravel deflectors. That matches up well with motodave's discussion of tire size compared to conditions. Lastly, as stated above, I simply need to vent a bit about the annual allowing me to relax and get some sleep.
Two initial hurdles stood in the way of getting the annual started. First, I would need a ferry permit to move the airplane from Fairbanks International to Chena Marina where I'm having the work done. I purposefully let the annual expire because the airplane was placed in flyable storage while I was away for several months. Secondly, I'm not present to fly the plane over. Chena Marina Aviation Services came through on both accounts. They helped me find someone to flying the plane over. A very helpful gentleman that flies for a local government agency moved it over at the request of the CMAS folks. They also did all the arrangements for the ferry permit.
My U206G went into annual on 20ish October. The existing squawks that will surely total the majority of work are a fuel leak from the wing root of the right hand integral bay fuel tank. Three shops have worked on this problem in the last three years progressively increasing the severity of the leak and hemorrhaging of my wallet. Additionally, the fuel pump was leaking slightly. Similar to the wing fuel leak, the fuel pump has been addressed three times in the past 5 years. Each time the pump has been overhauled and started leaking soon after.
The only modification being installed are the 8.50s, Airglas nose fork, and Aerotwin gravel deflector. I thought long and hard about this. Do I really need it. My skill level doesn't match the capability that the bigger feet bring. I might leave Alaska next summer and go somewhere that the bigger tires are hinderance (range and speed).
About two week ago while sitting in the FARP (forward arming and refueling point) of a desolate outpost in Afghanistan, the decision became crystal clear. FUCK IT! I want em! I'll go burn an ass load of hours to build my skill and experience to a level close to what they provide. It doesn't matter. I'M GETTING THEM.
The annual is a couple weeks in and the fuel leak is getting addressed. Mark has given me a couple reports of shoddy seal jobs around the tank edges. I've authorized them to pull the wing if necessary to make sure it gets done this time. I hear that the mains are installed and the nose fork is going on at the start of the week. The fuel pump was the aneroid type with a diaphragm. In accordance with Nathan and Mark's advice, we're replacing it with a non-altitude compensating model. That's in and getting installed.
The ELT remote didn't activate the 406 ELT I had installed last year. I remember the mechanic reporting that the cable didn't reach and he was getting an extension. I made him test it before the extension was installed and it worked. I suspect that he used a phone card instead of the reverse type cord that you must use for this installation. They are investigating that. No other major concerns that I recall.
I'll probably update this from time to time. It's as much for me to vent with this community as anything else. I also hope to post a glowing report of Chena Marina Air Service. After DP's IO-360 upgrade and several other folks' recommendations (MTV), I'm sure they will deliver. Their communication has been terrific and a real relief from 4,800 NMs away.
Below is the before picture with 5XV in flyable storage at FAI. The wife has been nice enough to check on it from time to time. Notice the pile of dry sweep under aft inboard porting of the right wing.
Brett
