| Date: 12-01-2021 | |
| Number of Hours: 0 | |
| Manual Reference: no ref |
Build start DEC 1 2011
Today is DEC 1 2021
Ten Years Building.
My build log now shows 12,904 hours. OK I thought I’d be done by this time in 2020! Wrong. In fact now it looks like I will be well into 2022 before first flight. It is VERY possible I’m on my last year of the build.
Still no engine delivery date although we are looking at early March with the AC-Aero X440 or whatever they finally call it. This is a Lycoming 0-360 angle valve case with the Higgs cylinders and stroked out to 440 cubic inches. We are still going for 300HP non turbo.
I’ve been at the hangar nearly every day since the last summary but this year it was between 4 and 5 months of more Covid19 lockdown. Our state had the most days lockdown in the world. This has hardly helped my build progress although my house is cleaner.
Otherwise I have been at the hangar every single day and I hardly know how I haven’t made more progress or where all the time went.
The airframe is painted, finally. Here is XEZ with JZE which is also getting some maintenance. The engine in the new build is a loaner for sizing radiators.
The paint job is excellent. That scoop in the nose is really where a new infrared vision camera is mounted. That is a game changer for night flying. A significant and challenging install as well. It will display on the G3X.
The paint job even worked out where you can’t see it.
It will probably never look this shiny again.
All the hinges have Teflon liners which was quite a job. The ailerons and elevators have been balanced and installed. The front and rear flow dividers are installed. Canopy seals are nearly done.
Wheel pants and other removable parts all had to be refitted after the paint. It was a LOT of work.
Brake lines, piss tubes and heat shields here and around the spar are all done. I’m yet to fill the brakes with fluid and try them.
Fuel caps are installed.
Avionics are working on a bench. My guy has done an amazing job and fits me in around his usual work so progress has been slow at times.
All that fitting work I did more than a year ago is finally paying off. The screen printed panel is showing here. Fitted into the airframe it is rock solid.
OK, here it is. I expect to fly next year, 2022 in this plane. Engine and avionics to go. Avionics very close, engine yet to be delivered. I have a huge challenge with sorting out radiator placement and building ducts. I’m yet to source radiators that fit!
Who know what will happen next. I’ll just keep showing up to the hangar until its done.
4 Comments. Leave new
What a project, while you were building a plane I was perfecting my golf game-I have nothing to show for my years of golf and thousands of dollars. I am reminded of Jim Anhorn who rebuilt a show car that caught fire at the gas station on his first drive. Luckily there was a fire truck close by so car not totaled. I asked Jim if he was sad? and he told me “not as sad as when the restoration was complete, now I have a project”. I admire your tenacity.
Good story Chuck. 🙂 The next project is RTW flights so it will continue in a different form. Who’s to say how important your golf friendships are? The value of striving to do better and that excuse for a long walk.
My son and I have been working on a Velocity TXL FG quick build for three years. We should have the DAR airworthy cert tomorrow. What a journey. Woyld like to build another. The father son part and the build were priceless.
Congrats on your build. A very special thing you have with your son that he will always remember. Good luck with the test flight program, may you have many great flights together.