Whelp.... She's all finished! Took just under a year and just in time for the backcountry Flying season. I'll test fly it in the morning. Spent the day making sure everything is ready. List of Mods:

- Franklin 220 (not by me)
- Sportsman STOL
- Airglas Nose fork
- Superhawk 8.50's on the mains; 800 on the nose
- BAS Shoulder harnesses
- New Diamond plate floor
- Selkirk Fiberglass interior
- Selkirk Extended Baggage
- LED's all around
- Sport Aircraft Leather seats
- Atlee Dodge Firewall Battery Kit
- Carbon Fiber Panel Overlay
- Flint extended fuel tip tanks

Avionics:
- Removed All wiring/breakers from the aircraft and replaced with new
- 2 Garmin G5's (HSI/AI)
- 2 GNS430's
- Garmin GI106a CDI
- Insight G2 Engine Monitor
- New Garmin Audio Panel
- Garmin 335 ADSB Transponder
- Gimbal Mounted 796
- Garmin GDL39-3d
- 2 Stratus USB chargers

There's a ton more like powder coating the wheels, fixing the paint, replacing every screw with stainless, Removing the Vacuum system and the list goes on and on! We'll see how she fly's, but right now I'm pretty happy!

Here's a few pics after I got her buttoned up:

Time to get yer "flyin freek" on, she looks amazing ENJOY

Mapleflt

Absolutely wonderful job! Man you're going to be flying with an ear to ear grin and deservedly so!

Looks great! I have Horsepower envy!

That’s one bad ass 172! Looks great!

Thanks guys! I'll report back on the first flight!

Jim

Where'd it come in weight-wise?
And does the Franklin conversion bump the gross?

Not sure yet. We did a calculated empty Weight so that I could fly it today. We are going to weigh it on Monday. I'm guessing I'll have about 1K useful load. The Gross weight with the Franklin is 2,499lbs. We took a shitload of weight out of this thing.

It a badass performer! It was crazy windy today (20G31 right down the runway), so it's not a good baseline, but I took off about in about 4-500 feet and landed a little shorter. I didn't pop the flaps or anything, I just let it fly off.

No squawks, other than com 2 is intermittent. We narrowed it down to a bad connector.

Totally happy with it!

Jim

That’s a nice looking hawk you have there! I also really like what you did with the flap handle.

How do you like the sport aircraft seats? Are they worth the money?

Mark Y. wrote:How do you like the sport aircraft seats? Are they worth the money?

I really like them! Before I tore the panel apart I did a 16 hour x-country. Totally comfortable! Stitching is perfect and they are incredibly light.

Jim

pilotryan wrote:That’s a nice looking hawk you have there! I also really like what you did with the flap handle.

Yeah! kinda a PITA but it turned out ok! I think if I was doing it again I'd paint it black, put on the sticker, then just paint it with epoxy. I like the idea of a heat shrink towards the top of the handle and I may add that. You really cant see the carbon wrap based on it's position.

jaudette wrote:

pilotryan wrote:That’s a nice looking hawk you have there! I also really like what you did with the flap handle.

Yeah! kinda a PITA but it turned out ok! I think if I was doing it again I'd paint it black, put on the sticker, then just paint it with epoxy. I like the idea of a heat shrink towards the top of the handle and I may add that. You really cant see the carbon wrap based on it's position.

I recently ordered suitable black heat shrink for mine and will have a lot left over, if you want some...

Ok! I'll take it!

Finally weighed the plane today... Empty Weight: 1,589lbs; Gross Weight: 2,499; Useful Load: 910lbs. Gained about 60lbs of useful load. With 64 gallons of fuel, I'll still have 526lbs. Not bad for a 172! Pretty darn happy!

Jim

Those are solid numbers for sure! Have you been able to see how short you can get the takeoff/landing yet? With the wing and that Franklin up front it has to jump off the ground.

What is the usable fuel between the 4 tanks?

colopilot wrote:Those are solid numbers for sure! Have you been able to see how short you can get the takeoff/landing yet? With the wing and that Franklin up front it has to jump off the ground.

What is the usable fuel between the 4 tanks?

Hey Ralph - The shortest takeoff I've been able to manage was about 400-450 feet, landing a little shorter. It was hot though, I think I can do better. All the bugs are worked out and she's ready to head north!

62 gallons useable. I'm burning between 6-9 gallons per hour and loafing along at about a hundred knots. Love flying with the window open and enjoying the views!

Jim

That's awesome. You should do a W&B with the rear seat out too while you guys are playing with scales, as long as it's documented I believe you can just unbolt it and fly if you need the room/useful load. Mine came with both W&B done, they claim 30lbs from that rear seat which I am skeptical of but we'll see once I re-weigh it.

Well, I thought I was done. Got a killer deal on 2 IFD 440’s at the AOPA show. Crazy simple install!

Very cool. I’m interested to hear how you like the 440s. I saved room in my panel for either a GNS430 or a IFD440.