corefile wrote:still grinding away on the progress - did the inspection for the proposed AD on the tail cone https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/may/18/faa-plans-to-issue-cessna-tail-cone-ad and while back there added the (BCP Member) Aeropod inspection panels:



I already had the one on the bottom for inspecting/access to the jackscrew.

Not sure how I missed this Paul but the panels look great! Thanks for the business. Mind if I share this pic?

AEROPOD wrote:

corefile wrote:still grinding away on the progress - did the inspection for the proposed AD on the tail cone https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/may/18/faa-plans-to-issue-cessna-tail-cone-ad and while back there added the (BCP Member) Aeropod inspection panels:



I already had the one on the bottom for inspecting/access to the jackscrew.

Not sure how I missed this Paul but the panels look great! Thanks for the business. Mind if I share this pic?

Looks like he didn't replace the stringers with the joggled ones that provide space for the panel doublers.

C180_guy wrote:

AEROPOD wrote:
Not sure how I missed this Paul but the panels look great! Thanks for the business. Mind if I share this pic?

Looks like he didn't replace the stringers with the joggled ones that provide space for the panel doublers.

Nope - You don’t need to replace the stringers - just installed the doublers per the STC installation instructions using the doublers and shims that come with the kit.

AEROPOD - thanks and share away!

C180_guy wrote:

AEROPOD wrote:

corefile wrote:still grinding away on the progress - did the inspection for the proposed AD on the tail cone https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/may/18/faa-plans-to-issue-cessna-tail-cone-ad and while back there added the (BCP Member) Aeropod inspection panels:



I already had the one on the bottom for inspecting/access to the jackscrew.

Not sure how I missed this Paul but the panels look great! Thanks for the business. Mind if I share this pic?

Looks like he didn't replace the stringers with the joggled ones that provide space for the panel doublers.

Good eye! It's not required with our kit. we include a shim to avoid the need for the joggled stringer.

I prefer to replace the stringers to match the factory config. Yeah, guys use shims, but that is half-assing it in my mind.

That's one way of doing it

Idk if I trust the STC guy or the aggressive opinion guy

asa wrote:Idk if I trust the STC guy or the aggressive opinion guy

HAHAHAHAHAHA

I won't say that replacing the stringers is a bad idea. It would certainly work well. It just changes the cost and labor to do the job by A LOT.

As far as the way we do it, there are a number of engineers who say it's plenty good, not marginal. I've even seen a field approval that someone got with data from Cessna saying that the shim is fine. If the engineers that we hired AND the engineers at Cessna says it's okay, I'll hang my hat on it. I'd challenge anyone to tell the difference from outside between an airplane with shims vs. one with the joggled stringers. I can spot the difference in the rivet pattern, but only because I've installed quite a few of these kits.

You are referring to the letter from Cessna that was floating around the club awhile back that discusses the shims. I found it odd given the enormous work scope on that plane that someone decided replacing the stringers was too much additional work.

C180_guy wrote:You are referring to the letter from Cessna that was floating around the club awhile back that discusses the shims. I found it odd given the enormous work scope on that plane that someone decided replacing the stringers was too much additional work.

Maybe it was an economic decision? Those stringers are A LOT more expensive than Tony's kit.

Ok maybe something less controversial - these seats from Sport Aircraft Seats (BCP sponsor) came out pretty nice - seat frames are out getting powder coated. Daniel was great to work with - sent me several samples - we talked through a few options, including covering for my glaresheild, and got me the leather and color that I was after for my seats. Can't wait to see them on the frames in the plane.

Those look really nice. Especially the contrasting stitching. Well done!

AEROPOD wrote:

asa wrote:Idk if I trust the STC guy or the aggressive opinion guy

HAHAHAHAHAHA

I won't say that replacing the stringers is a bad idea. It would certainly work well. It just changes the cost and labor to do the job by A LOT.

As far as the way we do it, there are a number of engineers who say it's plenty good, not marginal. I've even seen a field approval that someone got with data from Cessna saying that the shim is fine. If the engineers that we hired AND the engineers at Cessna says it's okay, I'll hang my hat on it. I'd challenge anyone to tell the difference from outside between an airplane with shims vs. one with the joggled stringers. I can spot the difference in the rivet pattern, but only because I've installed quite a few of these kits.

I was told early on in my aviation MX career "More than one way to skin a cat"
Just because it's not the same, doesn't make is wrong. I'm all about the big red "Easy Button"

Finally getting ready to get the panel installed - wiring harnesses have been completed, and the switch panel and lighted overlays are about done.

Any updates....?

RC5280 wrote:Any updates....?

Yep have been working on getting the engine and firewall accessories mounted, baffling, all the engine sensors, etc.



Acorn Exhaust w/ ceramic coating



New Front windshield cut and fit and ready to be installed (all windows replaced)



Rewired the entire plane - not a single original wire left (cleaned up a-lot of hillbilly wiring and old wires with cracked insolation)



And then decided that trying to patch up the old crappy paint job would have been criminal - strip and paint the plane, which also means I'm adding the Sportsman STOL and Quasar Tips before painting as well.



and then just a lot of small details - stripping down the seat frame, powder coating and all new hardware, BAS retractable harnesses in front, and Y harness for rear, lighting, replaced all the door (baggage too) and window seals, replaced rudder cables, etc

New panel and avionics are going in later this week/next week hopefully

I like the oil quick drain installation... whose is it?

I’d like to do something similar, but the quick drains I’ve used (all 2 of them) state that hoses cannot be left connected.

Chris


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

airChris wrote:I like the oil quick drain installation... whose is it?

I’d like to do something similar, but the quick drains I’ve used (all 2 of them) state that hoses cannot be left connected.

Chris


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Looks like the aeroquip.

Wow, that turned into a full plane project for sure.
Looks great.
I'm curious about the oil filter, I've never seen one mounted horizontally on the firewall before.

Looks like it's still up at Granite Falls, how many other skywagons are in the shop?

hotrod180 wrote:Wow, that turned into a full plane project for sure.
Looks great.
I'm curious about the oil filter, I've never seen one mounted horizontally on the firewall before.

Yep the kit (airwolf) comes with both a vertical and horizontal bracket, the idea with this mount orientation is that when doing a oil change, you unscrew it a bit and the oil in the filter (and whats left in the oil hose) drains straight down with out getting all over the filter, instead of draining over down the filter when its mounted vertically (yes you can punch a hole in the filter to help with that) - just a little cleaner. No right or wrong as both are acceptable installation methods per install instructions.

hotrod180 wrote:Looks like it's still up at Granite Falls, how many other skywagons are in the shop?

Yes it is - light is at the end of the tunnel Avionics and Paint are the two big projects left (panel and avionics have been built out on the bench and are going in very soon), and then a bunch of little detail items on the punch list... As far as I know there is one other skywagon up there - its getting the full monty. Meaning it's getting torn down completely - basically down to the ribs and rebuilt in the Cessna Jigs (at least that is my understanding).