F21B is about ready to fly!!!!

[Robert Lees]

Nice panel. Lots of bells & whistles. What do all those instruments do?

Note the important feature, right at the front, at the centre, on top of the coaming, in front af all the instruments.

That's right, the windscreen!

Nice repairs to the tank, Craig. As a matter of interest, does the tank design include supports on top of the front & rear spars (as per my [narrower] BC12D tanks)? These take not only the weight, but also the acceleration loads for positive G manoeuvers (although for neg G, my "straps" securing it are a little dodgy).

I do like the way the ribs go around the tank...you reckon I could get a mod approved to retrofit these extended tanks to a regular BC12D?

Rob

[Forrest Barber]

tanks and such

GREAT stuff! We may have to repost on the web site itself, this is a good explanation of what happens , I almost puked when I saw the tabs the first time at the factory here in Alliance... I flew the test flights and we had a 40 gal system until I stressed her a bit and got a 42 gal system..... that is why we have the little filler tab like a Cherokee to keep her down to 40 gal. Yes the tanks kind of bulged out a bit.... THE new system is very good I hope the factory takes note!!

[CraigH]

Bad news! Test flight was supposed to be today. Everything was put back together and the tanks were filled. Another leak appeared in the repaired tank. The leak was along one of the tabs that hadn't leaked before. While the new mount looks like it will prevent future leaks, it appears all the old ones weren't completely fixed.

Back to the drawing board. Looks like I'll be grounded for another month or so. Too bad there isn't a smaller tank readily available that would fit. Seems like a pair of 12 or 15 gallon tanks would be plenty.

Rob, from what I've seen so far of the 21 gallon tanks I wouldn't want them anywhere near your BC12D. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Per your question on the panel, we added a VSI, carb temp, CHT, EGT and clock. Unfortunately, none of them do much good with it sitting on the ground. Starting to thing I should add a calendar.

Dennis, thanks for the compliment on the panel. I thought about an electric AH, but not for very long. Way too many $$$, and IMHO not a necessity on a VFR fun flyer.

[ROllerton]

Shucks!

Well, pop open a Shiner and try at it again, in the end having it right will be worth the wait. And a reason for another Shiner.

[dennispip]

Yeah, Rob, I concur that the windscreen is certainly the most important instrument we have for staying upright. I have on occasion been flying along in good VFR on hazy summer days when the horizon does blend in with everything else, particularly in late afternoons. The TC is better than nothing if you need it, but I know the TC...It's not an AI.

Forrest, with the way those tanks fit in the wing, do they have anything to do with the structural integrity and strength of the wing? The two ribs(is that what they are called?) that they pass through must be designed differently than the others to permit the tanks to fit in. Is that why the tabs were used or was it simply for support of the tanks. Do you know what they are doing with the 22 models?

[CraigH]

Dennis,
I would be very interested in Forrest's opinion regarding the tabs myself. My personal opinion (granted I am NOT an A&P) is that the tabs were not necessary for structure. I have talked to a couple of annonymous 21B owners who have removed the tabs to fix leaking tanks and have experienced no further problems. One of them has been flying with no tabs for several years now. However, I'd sure like to know the thought process that went into putting them there in the first place.

Bob,
I was out of Shiner, so several glasses of a good German Riesling had to substitute.

[CraigH]

Latest update as of 1/30/04

After further inspection of the tank, it appears that it has been repaired many times before. Looks like the new leak is along one of the previous welds as reported in prior posts.

My A&P just got off the phone with Harry Ingram at the factory. The factory will be issuing a Service Bulliten on fuel tanks for aircraft equipped with the 21 gallon tanks on February 3rd. New tanks have been designed, and Harry has promised us that he can have a set built for us 10 days after the SB comes out (Feb 13).

So, the new plan is to install a brand new tank. Hopefully this nightmare will be over sometime in March, and I'll have the newest and most expensive F21B flying.

[crispy critter]

Hang in there Craig,you'll get it

[CraigH]

Update as of 2/4/2004

My A&P talked to Harry today. He is supposed to be faxing a copy of the Service Bulletin tomorrow morning, and again promised the tanks within a 7-10 day period. Sounds good so far . . . .

[CraigH]

Update 02/09/04

Just heard from the factory today. The new tanks have been completed and should be shipped shortly.

Is that a light at the end of the tunnel? Hope it's not another damn train!

[crispy critter]

New Tanks

My leading edges will be done in 2 weeks....for the thrid time.Its a good thing I'm not in a real big hurry for them.
I'm not getting upset with them,I know they're trying hard and the FAA inspectors haven't been making thigs too easy for them at times.I also know that they have to get some new birds out the door as a first priority.Hang in there Harry and the t-craft builders we're behind ya all the way.

[dennispip]

Once you get it right and put back together again you'll have many hours of reliable flying ahead. Your mental logbook will soon have many PLEASANT entries that will block out the inconveniences you've experienced to date. I hope that light you see is actually the first ray of warm spring sunshine headed up north! The days are getting noticeably longer and temps headed in the positive direction, slowly but surely as always.

[CraigH]

Further update - not good news

Well, looks like that light was a train.

Turns out there was a misunderstanding at the factory and my tanks WERE NOT complete on Monday.

I spoke with Harry on Tuesday (2/10/04) and was promised that the tanks would be ready by Friday (2/13/04). Finally got ahold of him (Harry) on Friday afternoon and as somewhat anticipated, the tanks were NOT ready. Harry mentioned some additional FAA problems, but informed me that all the design approvals had been worked out with the FAA and guaranteed me that the tanks would be ready by the end of the day Monday 2/16/04. Hopefully he is able to fulfill his promise as I have hired a driver to go down to the factory and pick up the tank on Tuesday.

Man, this crap is getting old.

[CraigH]

Difficulties in dealing with the factory

Hmmmm. Seems to be a pattern here. I spoke with Harry again on Monday (2/16) and was told to send my driver, the NEW tanks were completed. So, Tuesday morning (2/17) the driver headed out at around 5:30am for LaGrange. When he returned to Graham I was in for a surprise; he indeed had brought back a tank, but not the new one that had been repeatedly promised - it was a used tank WITH the offending tabs.

I won't go into the details of the ensuing discussions (2/18) between Harry, myself and my A&P, but suffice to say I am done dealing with Taylorcraft Aviation. Being honest and upfront about one's inability to produce a part is one thing, but leading a customer on with one broken promise after another is not my idea of how business should be conducted.

I had hoped to meet up with some of you at the factory fly-in, but it doesn't look like I'll be there.

[Forrest Barber]

Factory, tanks, frustration

I have been silently following this thread and listening when Craig has called me in Alliance , I am sorry this whole mess has not worked out so far. the tabs were to hold the tank in place between the ribs that need the tank for support to hold the fabric out in place. NOT a good system, but the only one they could think of at the time...... I know of others that made all new tanks and let them cradle down onto the spars with straps & felt or rubber. Harry is getting behind a bit of the time, I will call him today....... God Bless my BC12D , 24 gals and doing fine, except for my Exhaust from DAWLEY has not shown up YET!!!
SB may be good BUT needs a solution to the problem....