NC22211 Flies!

[NC22211]

NC22211 flew on Wednesday, 2 October for the first time in 55 years. Three flights, 1.5 hours, Andrew King and I took turns checking her out. Hands off flyer, spirited old gal, at that.

DAR Gene Breiner, IA Andrew King, V-DER Terry Bowden

Restoration assistance: Eldon Bowman, co-owner Evan Bender, Jim Forkovitch and Members of this Forum.

Took 3 years to revive this orphaned "barn find". Took 6 months to sort out the mountain of FAA paperwork, not because this was a troubled restoration, but because of a troubled FAA.

We're off to EAA Chapter 3's Fall Fly-In today. Thanks to all who assisted! Bob Coolbaugh

[KewFlyer]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

Congratulations Bob. Job well done.

Will have to go and visit to see your new ship and roam thru your shop.

Ralph

[M Towsley]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

Congratulations! And another little piece of history is alive and well to fly again.

[TimHicks]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

That's great news. Congratulations!

[Robert Lees]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

Just lovely!

My congratulations, Bob. It's worth all the hard work, isn't it?

You must be chuffed to bits to bring an old 55-year-old "barn find" back to the air, and I take my hat off to you and your fellows for all your hard work!

Is 55 years some sort of local record?

[1938BF50]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

Congrats Bob!

[David Price]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

Congratulations Bob!
All the hard work and efforts are yours to enjoy.

[NC22211]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

Thanks, Gents! Flew 1.5 in the local area on last Wednesday, then headed south to Camden, SC for the Vintage Chapter 3 Fall Fly-In. That was a great 5 hours of flying in perfect fall weather. The Carolinas-Virginia Chapter 3 gang surprised us at the SAT banquet with the Dolph Overton Award! The judges liked the restoration, the history of the airplane, the struggles to get her back in license, and, yes, they even liked the original color scheme. I found that the Lewis prop, though very smooth and beautiful looking, is way too finely pitched. She tries to over-rev the A65, so we're looking now for a 72 length by 44 pitch cruise prop. Anyone out there have a flyable one available?? Other than that, NC22211 turned out to be one smooth flying little lady! Not boasting, just enjoying the reward side of three years of wondering if she'd ever fly again. Please bear with me for a bit. Bob C

[M Towsley]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

Bob,

My opinion here, the cruise prop really reduces your climb ability. If flying off of grass and/or humid days you may not like it, especially with two people. My plane came with a wood 72/44 and I was not happy with it. I put a wood 72/42 and am happy with all around flying.

[3Dreaming]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

I agree with Marty. Unless you are having big problems with RPM, like going over red line in a climb I wouldn't change it.
If you get a prop with enough bite to limit you to red line at cruise you will strugle to get static RPM. Personally I like to see 2500 or a little more at full throttle after it has had a chance to wind up.

[Pearson]

Re: NC22211 Flies!

Bob,

I am not sure exactly which model of the A65 you have. But according to the A696 type certificate most of them have a static rpm range of between 2070 and 2250 rpm. There is one model that allows up to 2300 rpm. Don't forget to allow for density altitude when comparing rpm range and limits. On a cool high pressure day there would be a greater chance for an engine to over speed with a given prop. That is not to say that your prop may very well be to fine for the engine. But if it is only over revving by a small margin, consider what the density altitude was and whether it is likely to do it again on a more normal day. You may want to wait until the heat of next summer and see how it does with you and a friend when trying to clear the power lines at the end of a runway somewhere. Of course if it really depends on how much it was over revving and what your preferences are for performance, climb or cruise.