Plane Work Program - Winter-Spring 2012-2013

by Graham Email

Here is the work list for Fall and Winter, in no particular sequence:

1. Repairs and fixes
- Repair damage to landing gear attach points (BIG JOB)
- Activate emergency landing gear extension circuit (has been out of action since replacement of control board by relays, cause unknown)
- Refit radio and transponder mounting tray to assure continued operation in flight (this was a major source of distress last Summer, when you cannot rely on your most important communications instruments that greatly increases in-flight stress)
- Replace rubber engine hoses with Teflon hoses for improved engine compartment durability and safety
- Refinish Catto prop (numerous small dings on prop over the last 6 years)
- Install heat detection strips on prop spinner parts to track in-flight heating (I do not race the plane, so excessive heating is unlikely, but in view of reports of heat concentration I will start tracking this)

2. Utility and Operation Improvements
- Build replacement lightweight lower cowling to replace aerodynically sub-optimal current cowling
- Install oil cooler cabin heat system in nose of plane (PROJECT)
- Replace nose battery with lightweight Odyssey battery on firewall
- Install oil cooler in nose with safety-protected oil supply and return circuit from engine
- Install fan and custom hardware to recirculate cabin air through cooler and route heat to front and rear seats
- Replace existing ELT with new-specification ELT installed in spar box instead of rear passenger area
- Polish canopy to remove scratches and glaze
- Install rear-facing mirrors in cockpit to provide view of back seat (I keep interrupting Mary in flight while she is snoozing)
- Install Collision Avoidance instrumentation
- Lose weight from pilot (currently 235-40, needs to be 210)

3. Possible projects (undecided)
- Extend strakes up to front of cockpit (pontoon design derived from Paul Tackabury Long-EZ). This will open up the cockpit in front for the pilot, who is not a small guy (PROJECT)
- Install Ellison throttle body injector in place of Marvel Schebler tractor lump...er, carburetor
- Install Trio three-axis autopilot to replace current two-axis NavAid