Fixing the NLG

Yesterday the goods to fix my nose landing gear showed up from Genuine Aircraft Hardware.  Good people to deal with.  So today a good friend of mine helped me get the plane back in flying shape.  First order of business was to remove the nose gear assembly.  Not a problem.  Then we came up with a plan of attack.

Ideally we’d like to ream both the mount and gear leg at the same time.  However we couldn’t guarantee the parts would stay lined up.  So we reamed the engine mount first and then the gear leg.  We set the NAS6605-28X bolt in the freezer while we went across the hangar row to chat with another buddy and fix a CHT probe on his gorgeous C-182.  After that was done, I lubed up the bolt and proceed it to insert it from the bottom.  Took a hammer with me in the plane – it needed some tapping to get it in.  Eventually we stepped up to the rivet gun.  Once it was in we tightened it a little at a time.  Unfortunately it took 5 washers (one under head, 4 under nut) to get it on there properly.  Not the ideal situation but it’s not coming out. 

 

Made a jack, jack

Copied idea from buddy’s website who I believe copied the idea from the RVator.  Here’s my take.  Still have to drill some holes in the top blocks to anchor the bottle jack.  But it works for now.  A $20 solution to a $300 problem.

Fixed the breather hose

Been meaning to do this for a while… so why not while I wait on the parts to fix the NLG.  Previously it was held in place in a very ghetto fashion.  Not that this is any better but it should help.  Holes are drilled in the tube further up so it can breathe.  But it’s not airtight at the bottom.  This contraption just holds it in place a little better.  Maybe the bottom of the plane will be less oily as well.  Only time will tell.

Speed tests with Alan

Just thought I’d post some air-to-air shots.  My buddy Alan wanted me to go up side by side to compare speeds.  So we did.  And after that we brought out the cameras.  Actually they were both my cameras but he had one and I had the other.  Here’s some pictures.

 

My baby

She absolutely loves to come out to the airport and see Daddy’s airplane.  I think we have the next Patty Wagstaff on our hands!!  She’s so fun to be around at this age.  One Sunday morning my wife said to her “Heather, you want to go to church?”  She immediately responded “No, how bout go airport!”