F21B is about ready to fly!!!!

[CraigH]

The wing repair is just about complete on my somewhat newly acquired F21B. Should be hanging the wing late this week and test flying as soon as weather/winds permit.

Luckily my A&P was able to get his modified fuel tank mount approved by the FAA. This should make legal repairs to the 21 gallon F21B tanks easier in the future. I understand that the factory is also re-designing the tank mounts for the new models, but have not heard how the project is progressing as of late.

[dennispip]

Glad to hear that you are about ready to take to the air. Could you elaborate on what type of trouble you had with your tank and why did you need to modify the mount?

I think you will really enjoy your 21. Mine is a real gem. We are now stuck in the middle of the deep freeze, 3 above 0, and 5-6 inches of white stuff blowing and drifting, so not much hope to get up for a while in Indiana. The Alaska guys would not be impressed with the minor inconveniences we have here, but its all in what you are set up to deal with, and without skis, etc, it does get challenging. The only challenging problem I have encountered with my 21 is with slippage of the trim cable. My mechanic is getting very familiar with that system and the large amount of info about it on this site. Good luck and happy flying!!!

[CraigH]

Dennis,
Not sure if you've ever seen how the tank is mounted. There are tabs welded to the top and bottom of the tank that are riveted to supports attached to the spars. The way they came from the factory allows for no movement of the tank when the spars flex in flight. Eventually the tanks spring a leak; usually at the point where the tabs are welded. It looked like mine had been welded before, but without modifying the mounting system they will eventually leak again. I've been in contact with several other 21B owners who have had this problem. A few have made modifications to the mounts, but as far as I know none have gotten a field approval on their mods.

Below is a picture of the mount as it came from the factory.

[CraigH]

Here's a picture of the tab where the leak developed.

[dennispip]

Glad to hear that you are about ready to take to the air. Could you elaborate on what type of trouble you had with your tank and why did you need to modify the mount?

I think you will really enjoy your 21. Mine is a real gem. We are now stuck in the middle of the deep freeze, 3 above 0, and 5-6 inches of white stuff blowing and drifting, so not much hope to get up for a while in Indiana. The Alaska guys would not be impressed with the minor inconveniences we have here, but its all in what you are set up to deal with, and without skis, etc, it does get challenging. The only challenging problem I have encountered with my 21 is with slippage of the trim cable. My mechanic is getting very familiar with that system and the large amount of info about it on this site. Good luck and happy flying!!!

[CraigH]

Here is a picture of the new tank mounts. Basically, the tabs were removed and felt was used to cushion the tank.

[CraigH]

A close up of the new mount.

[CraigH]

While the wing was being repaired, we went ahead and made a few slight mods to the panel . . . .

[CraigH]

. . . . and upgraded the tires to 8.00x6.

[Grant S. Bailey]

Great shots and informative pictures. It's this kind of stuff that makes this forum shine.

[crispy critter]

You said it Grant,I couldn't agree with you more.

[CraigH]

If you guys are enjoying the show-and-tell session here are a few more pics.

Here is another angle of the old style tank mount. The weld that has been cleaned off is where one of the two leaks developed.

[CraigH]

Here is the finished wing right before recovering began.

[CraigH]

Another non-related mod was the addition of Rosen sun visors. Not sure if the 21B came with visors or not, but mine didn't have any. Rosen has a new smaller size that is available with tube mounts. They fit perfectly in a T'Craft.

[dennispip]

Craig...Thanks for sharing the pics. The new tank looks great. Interesting where the cracks occured. Did the factory have any thoughts? Wonder if a hard landing or turbulence could have contributed, sepecially with full tanks? I think your idea about flexion of the wing makes good sense. You will find that your plane becomes a much different animal when you fill those tanks all the way up. I usually fly with reduced fuel for the sake of handling and performance. It will handle the full tanks with ease, but it feels more like a tanker than a t-craft and at 5.5-6 GPH, you don't usually need 7 hours of fuel on board. It's nice when desired, though.

I like the changes in your panel. I also have just the turn coordinator now. Did you consider an electric AI?

I'll be ready to hear about your first day in the air. Enjoy!