No more parts left on the shelf

[Scott]

Well it's been a hectic few days (weeks actually) with some milestones.

First my old jeep made it through 400,000 Km (just shy of 250k miles for us non-metric types). A good portion of it going back and forth between home and hangar!

Then, after at least one near disaster, I ran out of parts to put back on CF-CLR... because it was in one piece agin for the first time since 1989. It's now rigged, weighed and most of the dust cleaned off.

Today I received the new CofA with no hickups, no fuss. Whoohoo!

Now I just need to work up the nerve to fly it....
S

PS just finished updating my blog with details about final assembly, throttle cable replacement etc.

http://c-fclr.blogspot.com

[mikerice]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

Scott, that is one nice looking Tcraft. Bring it down to Texas and I'll trade you for mine! You should take it to Oshkosh and bring home the 2018 Golden Lindy!

I wish I was going to Oshkosh this year- I'd love to see your plane in person.

Great Job!, Mike Rice

[Clark]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

It's beautiful! I admire what you've done. Wish you were closer I'd love to see it in person, Congratulations!

[PA1195]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

Wonderful job and attention to detail. Give her some air and speed soon.

Gary

[N96337]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

WOW!!! That's beautiful!!!!

[waltermrich]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

That looks pristine, I do not know your flying abilities you may be an excellent pilot , but it wouldn't hurt to take an experienced tail wheel pilot with you if you feel rusty. What a wonderful job.

[SpecialT]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

Just fly it down the runway at about 4' off the tarmac until it feels right, then put it down, or go around and around until it does. Always worked for me. If we make it to Oshkosh I look forward to seeing your plane, I'm sure it will have some ribbons on it.

[Mike S]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

Looking good! I'm quite partial to the Taylorcraft red and white paint scheme.

[Mark Bowden]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

Scott,

Outstanding work! She is beautiful. I hope you get to put a couple thousand hours on her and you enjoy your amazing work with family, friends and the rest of us here too. Your efforts and now "care taking" is a service to all of us Vintage owner types and hopefully the next generation of pilots too. Of special value is your documentation on your blog.

Next picture we want to see is "air under the wheels".

Cheers! Mark

[Scott]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

First flight yesterday (yippee)
Trim went to nose up and stayed there

Found and fixed the problem today, adjusted left rudder spring, and went up again, after takeoff wind increased to 10 gusting 18!

Managed a few touch and goes but threw in the towel and back in the hangar.

Took one turn out of the right wing aft strut and re torqued exhaust nuts and checked other stuff under the hood.

Did a few more circuits this evening, still gusty but feeling better about the whole thing.

[Mark Bowden]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

Congratulations Scott on winning Outstanding Taylorcraft at this years AirVenture!

https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/eaa-airventure-news/eaa-airventure-oshkosh/07-28-2018-2018-lindy-awards-announced?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT0RFMFpHRmlPRFU0TmpnMyIsInQiOiJNRWFxZm9YVldrdjNydThGajJyUllZZDBMMnlLb1ljbDh5TVwvWmFHUWduVHZMcVJVSnNsdmJ5ZTVkTmRXQU5La0Q3Y2xhUlBMZkdsVjZYXC9ZU1Q4VFBqMVNUbDFyTlZRazVPWTRqS0xhbzJycXdQM1pBeVZrbzBuOUJVdWFEUzg5In0%3D

[Peterroy]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

I agree. It was sweet!

[mike lutz]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

Absolutely stunning beautiful airplane. Craftsmanship at its finest. Well done!

[Scott]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

Thanks Mark
And thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat about Taylorcrafts. Great stories and lots of trivia.
Number one comment of the week.... "My dad had a Taylorcraft." (coming mostly from guys my age!)

The award was gratifying, as was being singled out of the queue when I arrived and marshaled into the paddock just SW of the Vintage Hangar. Parked right behind Tom Baker's awesome bird and two other Tcrafts in close proximity. A steady stream of visitors all week complementing the airplane made me feel really good and helped to recharge my batteries. A welcome boost for sure.

I was not ready for the judges. I didn't have a "book." Apparently a multi year blog that gets 500-600 views per month doesn't meet the requirement (my bad, but I just ran out of time and steam) so I'll need to put a three ring binder together one of these days. What came as a surprise to me was the unmistakably dismissive attitude, toward both me and the aircraft, of a couple of the judges. Most were however gracious and thankful for my efforts. Other than the no-book thing, I received no feedback from the judges. I did however meet a couple of former judges that were nice enough to fill in some of the gaps for me. All in all a positive experience.

CF-CLR performed remarkably well. I flew less than three hours locally before loading up the camping gear and heading out. 45 minutes to Grand Marais MN, cleared customs, then about 2 hours to Phillips WI for a bio-break and fuel. From there it was 1:45 to OSH and a relatively uncrowded arrival. The return trip basically retraced my route, including crossing about a 25nm expanse of SW Lake Superior (with the associated pucker-factor) but no stop at KCKC. So the aircraft has about 11.5 hours of air time, burned less than 1/2 quart of oil, and the inside of the cowlings are still clean!

[waltermrich]

Re: No more parts left on the shelf

Beautiful airplane, Thanks for talking with my wife and I