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A couple of you have shown interest in my version of the Taylorcraft skylight modification. I thought I'd report how the progress is going on the 337. The skylight itself is installed and being "test flown" under the careful supervision of my IA. I love it as much as I loved the last one I did. It makes the airplane more fun to fly and safer in crowded airspace. Another inch or two of headroon is nice too.
An inspector working for our favorite government agency has seen the photos and description of the installation, spoken with my IA, and has indicated that he thinks there should be no problem with approving the 337. The paperwork is now "in progress" and should be a downhill battle from this point forward.
The amount of time and effort for a really obvious and low-risk modification like this will seem ridiculous to old timers who used to be able to get something like this done in three days and a handshake up in Alaska, but to get a field approval done in California in 2006 is unfortunately a more significant achievement than it should be.
I will make this 337 available for the benefit of the Taylorcraft community as soon as it is finished. My specific modification is to put in a skylight without cutting, welding, or changing any of the primary structure, so it can be returned to stock configuration at a later time. Basically it is a bunch of Adel clamps, upgraded wood side supports, an improved forward wood support beam (for pre-war airplanes that had the original support TAPED in place), and a new wood bulkhead over the rear cabin cross tube.
I chose this path because I am not a welder and didn't want to screw around with anything permanent on a pre-war airplane. My version also uses plywood and Spruce for the skylight supports, because I figured that was how Taylorcraft would have done it in 1940.
If you have a utility-class airplane and/or are not overly concerned about welding, then I believe there is an existing STC that allows you to replicate the F-21/F-22 factory installation, using welded steel tabs, and aluminum supports.
After having done my version, I must say that it might have been easier to have a welder come in and stick 20 little tabs on the tubes and use the aluminum fairings. But mine can be un-done completely if someone ever wants to make a museum restoration out of this aircraft. If I were to own a post-war Taylorcraft in the future, I think I would bite the bullet and use the existing STC. There is probably no functional difference once it is all done.
That being said, some people will want to save money and not buy an STC, or not want to weld, and so they can use my method when the 337 is approved. You can see several photos of my version in the gallery section.
An inspector working for our favorite government agency has seen the photos and description of the installation, spoken with my IA, and has indicated that he thinks there should be no problem with approving the 337. The paperwork is now "in progress" and should be a downhill battle from this point forward.
The amount of time and effort for a really obvious and low-risk modification like this will seem ridiculous to old timers who used to be able to get something like this done in three days and a handshake up in Alaska, but to get a field approval done in California in 2006 is unfortunately a more significant achievement than it should be.
I will make this 337 available for the benefit of the Taylorcraft community as soon as it is finished. My specific modification is to put in a skylight without cutting, welding, or changing any of the primary structure, so it can be returned to stock configuration at a later time. Basically it is a bunch of Adel clamps, upgraded wood side supports, an improved forward wood support beam (for pre-war airplanes that had the original support TAPED in place), and a new wood bulkhead over the rear cabin cross tube.
I chose this path because I am not a welder and didn't want to screw around with anything permanent on a pre-war airplane. My version also uses plywood and Spruce for the skylight supports, because I figured that was how Taylorcraft would have done it in 1940.
If you have a utility-class airplane and/or are not overly concerned about welding, then I believe there is an existing STC that allows you to replicate the F-21/F-22 factory installation, using welded steel tabs, and aluminum supports.
After having done my version, I must say that it might have been easier to have a welder come in and stick 20 little tabs on the tubes and use the aluminum fairings. But mine can be un-done completely if someone ever wants to make a museum restoration out of this aircraft. If I were to own a post-war Taylorcraft in the future, I think I would bite the bullet and use the existing STC. There is probably no functional difference once it is all done.
That being said, some people will want to save money and not buy an STC, or not want to weld, and so they can use my method when the 337 is approved. You can see several photos of my version in the gallery section.
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