My good friend Jody flew his V-77 in for a work function this weekend. Before he left today to head home to Oklahoma, I got some additional V-77 flight time. We flew to El Dorado for some takeoffs and landings. We also got some fuel. I’m feeling pretty comfortable now thanks to Jody!
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| Randy (L) and Jody enroute to El Dorado |
I noticed this afternoon a new tool in the hangar. Wade has made a device to measure control surface throw. He has used a digital protractor so far, but as accurate as that is, it depends on where you measure and a few other factors. The maintenance manual provides the required angular deflections for each control surface in both degrees and inches. This tool measures the arc the control surface moves through and you can see how that compares to the requirement. Wade has it marked for the rudder deflections.
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| The rudder is centered on the deflection tool |
I spent some time tonight getting the panel lights finished. I also routed the temperature probe out into the wing. After it got dark, I turned off all of hangar lights and took a picture of the cockpit. The engine monitor will also put out some light, but it looks pretty good already.
My younger brother, Brian, stopped by today to drop off some items. We spent a few minutes looking over the V-77 before he hit the road home. Always fun to show folks the airplane.
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| Randy (L) and Brian |
Wade worked on the flap system today. We still need to get the return springs in and then test it out. I spent some time this evening getting the yoke support covers attached. So, progress everyday!
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My good friend Jody and wife Nena came up for the weekend from their home in Oklahoma in their V-77. Friday evening Jody and I flew to El Dorado and did some takeoff and landing practice. We flew again Saturday morning and again Saturday afternoon. It was gusting 23 knots in the afternoon, though almost down the runway. I did 2 pretty nice wheel landings and one that bounced, but I recovered it. I am getting used to the sight picture of the V-77 since it sits so high. I think I will be ready to fly mine when that date arrives….hopefully in the next 2 months. Our neighbor Spence provided hangar space for Jody’s V-77. Such a great neighbor!
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| Saturday afternoon. A V-77 in its natural habitat….grass |
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| On arrival Friday afternoon |
The traditional Father’s Day weekend fly-in at Stearman Field was yesterday. It is also a car show. There were more cars than airplanes, but that is normal. Most everyone had given up by midday due to the heat. My good friend Jody and wife Nena flew in from Oklahoma. They also have a V-77. It was the hit of the show!
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| Jody relaxing while his wife cleans off bugs and oil…lol |
Wade was by yesterday checking and adjusting control deflections. He also started getting the flap system all connected. I got a replacement battery for the uAvionics attitude indicator yesterday and installed it. Everything is working great.
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| The 100% in the lower right is the battery charge |
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| The new battery looks just like this old one….but works |
Wade was over today. The new turnbuckles and other hardware finally came in. He got the various control cables redone and added the remaining nuts and bolts for the stab trim. We also replaced the bushings the control yokes go through. It appears the previous owners had the control wheels on upside down….and they are corroded to the yokes. Wade took them to his shop to loosen up. I also removed the plastic on the engine…looks really nice and shiny.
Steve and I drove to Guthrie, OK. today to Radial Engines and picked up my V-77 engine. It was all wrapped in plastic to protect it. After exchanging some money, they loaded it into the U-Haul, we strapped it down, and were on our way. Good friend Justin was waiting at my hangar with his forklift when we arrived. Just as we started to take it out of the U-Haul, a rain shower started. We waited a few minutes for it to pass. The unloading had no issues. Yay!
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| In my hangar |
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| Justin taking it off the truck |
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| Strapped down and ready to travel |
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| Loading it in at Guthrie |
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| Randy and Caleb exchanging the check |
A lot of restorers and homebuilders say to accomplish something every day. So, today I received some wheel chocks from Sporty’s I ordered about a week ago. The other big news is my engine is ready to pick up tomorrow. I got the U-Haul this evening. Steve is going with me tomorrow. Stay tuned.
I glued on a few placards today. One is on the large triangular inspection cover for the aft fuselage. The other is on the instrument panel regarding not operating the engine at 1000 RPM. I also laid out the components for the Electronics International CGR-30C system I bought in 2019 after seeing it at Oshkosh. This single display takes the place of all the various engine instruments. I am impressed with the quality of the parts. All of the connectors have the appropriate pins in place and everything is clearly labeled. It is almost plug and play…which will help eliminate errors.
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| CGR-30C parts and documentation |
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| CGR-30C display and new placard beneath |
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| New placard on triangular inspection cover |
I spent time this evening wiring up the uavionix AV-30-C. I then fired it up and ran through the install menu. Everything works and the altimeter and temperature are correct. We’ll see how the airspeed does on first flight. I noted the backup battery has a failed indication. It may just need to be on airplane power for a while to charge…. or needs to be replaced. I also noticed Wade had dropped off the large triangular inspection panel that goes in the aft fuselage on the left side. He has cut the slot for the rudder cable to pass through, reinforced it, and added a rubber seal. Looks great.
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| AV-30-C attitude indicator |
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| Triangular panel |
Wade was over today and accomplished a lot. He figured out where the rudder cables exit the sides of the aft fuselage. One side exits through fabric and the other side through the large triangular inspection cover. We also got the rudder on permanently. He spent a lot of time on the ailerons, getting everything adjusted and the proper tension in the system. We are going to replace the turnbuckles with a newer type that use clips to safety them as opposed to wire. That will be much quicker. I finished up the landing light wiring and made labels for several of the radio wires. So, a very productive day.
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| Wires labeled |
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| Checking aileron cable tension |
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| Wade made a device to hold the control wheels while rigging the ailerons |
I spent time today connecting wiring from the wings to wiring in the fuselage. I was able to test the position lights and everything worked! I also connected the fuel tank quantity senders for both sides. I got one of the vent tubes in…I still need to do the right side. I also connected the pitot and static lines. There are 2 static lines from the wing, so I T’d them together. I still need to do the landing light wiring.
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| T junction for static lines |
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| Vent tubing |
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| Left side wiring |
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| Right side wiring |
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| Aft light |
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| Right wing light |
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| Left wing light |
