Eric's project updates

[Acroeric]

Tribe- I just uploaded lots of photos of my recent progress. Here is the link- http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/main....3192&g2_page=4

there are several pages of new stuff. Hope you all enjoy!

[N96337]

Re: Eric's project updates

Looks great Eric!!!! What's all that green stuff on the ground??
John

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

I guess it is still kind of white in MT now. . . .that green stuff is called $550 per ton 20-10-10 which was $380/ ton last year(I spread 6 tons) . My hay prices are having to go from $3 to $4.50 per bale just to cover my expenses! I'm sure you are feeling the pain of sky high fuel and fertilizer costs as well with the 'clydes. Our old paint mare seems to eat her weight in hay daily during the winter!

Our orchard grass looks terrible since the drought last year- I'll probably just round bale it and keep it for emergencies. Our fescue on the other hand is knee high in some places- I should get 2 spring cuttings no problem.

Our boer goats kidded a few weeks ago- sure is good to be off hay- I think we were down to 4 bales left from last year.

[Vasey fan]

Re: Eric's project updates

Looking good.

I like the 10 gallon tanks, did you fab them yourself?

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

yep- had a local guy build them. It took some fitting but they are really nice. I mounted them just like the Bearhawk tanks mount. Really quite simple.

[M Towsley]

Re: Eric's project updates

Eric,

Great to hear from you and that things are going well. You need to stop talking in code, or whatever that farm language is. I'm a city boy who my wife makes fun of, as she is a little 'ol country girl. Hope you have a great year!!!

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Marty- Great to hear from you. Sure is a nice plane you have. . . . .hope to see you at a fly in

[N96337]

Re: Eric's project updates

Eric, it was 5 degrees here last Thursday... all the way up to 15 this morning, and the call is for snow all the rest of the week and weekend... we're all ready for Spring!! Hay is out of this world here this year! We'll buy a bit more before it thaws out, I'm sure.
I love those leading edges!! What glue? I sure can't wait to see that thing all ready to cover!!!
Take care,
John

[M Towsley]

Re: Eric's project updates

Eric,

Unfortunately, I don't have her anymore. A very nice gentleman in PA has her now. I did have a great time with her while I had her. Took her to Wright-Patterson for a Liaison fly-in in Oct. of '06 and to Poplar Grove, IL for the Army Wings and Wheels event last June. I also was able to take up Dr. Welton Taylor, a former Tuskegee Airman and the only Tuskegee liaison pilot in WWII while at Poplar Grove. Too many things at home going on and my poor wife gets airsick no matter what she does. It's no fun without having her along. I still like to stay in-touch here, though.

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Progress grinds slowly along. I fitted the wing and struts to the fuselage for the first time this weekend. My engine (IO-320) is going together and the new engine mount is being built. I have collected most all the parts for my fuel injection, inverted oil, and additional instruments needed for the switch to the Lycoming.

I'm planning to take the fuse to a friends house and let him build the cowling, gear covers etc. Otherwise it will look like I did it ;-)

One more wing to assemble and it is time to think about covering.

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

here are some pictures!

[Vasey fan]

Re: Eric's project updates

Looking good, really like the wingtips.

Why the change of heart about the Lycoming (if you don't mnd my asking)?

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Been flying some acro recently and just started training towards the airshow environment. . . . . it is pretty humbling to say the least. Anyway- I have learned that the lightest plane possible does have the best feel overall- in the ground level environment, a bit of extra HP and energy sure helps. To put it bluntly- I'm not sure I am good enough to fly a marginally powered acro mount near the ground.

The change to a Lycoming has cost me at a minimum of $8k more but I think for this type of use fuel injection, inverted oil, and 180 hp will really help. It will still be light (875 or so) and as you can see in the pictures I did not go too terribly short on the wings as I wanted to preserve a bit more wing area to handle the weight.

Thanks for the comment regarding my wingtips. I went through about 5 different designs before I settled on this one. I was shooting for something that matched the classic lines of the Tcraft. The ailerons got a set of spades last night and are now balanced.

[N96337]

Re: Eric's project updates

Looks great Eric!!!!
John

[Steve Morgan]

Re: Eric's project updates

Looks real good Eric,
Keep us posted on the engine installation, I know my engine will be very similar someday.... whenever I get that far. I know I'm envious of your progress!