Continued work on the Airmaster SB-18.

Ready for the changing of the o-ring.

Slipping on the new o-ring with a spatula.  Went on easily.

You can see the new one is thicker and it's a smaller diameter.

Re-installing the blades after I regreased the hub and blades

After tightening the retention nuts down (15nm) I measure about a 2mm gap, which seems bigger than before.  I've emailed Airmaster to confirm that this is OK before I tighten down the screws.

When I first picked up the plane I noticed that the prop seemed to be spitting a small amount of grease which I noticed on the windshield.  I was told that some was normal (didn't seem so to me), so I let it go.

It seemed to go away for a while, but it seemed to come back a few weeks ago, so I investigated and it turns out it's not normal and there's an Airmaster Service Bulletin, SB-18, that addresses this exact issue.

So, I started on this work tonight.

Loosening the retention nut.

Despite all the spitting there's still grease in there.

Pretty easy to remove the blades.

The special tool for turning the retention nut.  Notice I labeled the blade with the corresponding hub number - you don't want to return it to a different location.

Got all 3 blades removed and then....  The power went out during a passing squall line...  Done for the night.

Finally getting around to posting a video of one of my flights.  Just about done de-rusting my flying skills and knowledge with my excellent instructor Alan Bugos.

This video shows one of my touch-n-go's at nearby Nashua, NH (KASH).  You can tell it was a pretty gusty day, so good for fine-tuning my landing skills.

I swapped out the 650 for the 650Xi and that went quite easily.  All the setup was already in there when I powered it up, so I didn't need to change anything.

I also got around to creating a checklist file for the G3X.  You can download a copy of mine here.  The Garmin Checklist Editor can be downloaded from here.

Easy swap!  Now to sell the 650 on eBay...

Installed the latest databases and it's all set to go!

How the checklist looks on the G3X.  Nice!  The .ace checklist file always needs to be at the top of the inserted SD card.  It doesn't copy the file internally, so it has to be there.

I know I haven't posted in a while, but there hasn't been much flying, unfortunately.  It's either been attending to various non-flight-related squawk tasks, crappy winter weather (too cold, too windy, too snowy or all of the above...), pandemic considerations, or other obligations.  

Still need some more time with my CFI to dial in the landings in the pitchy Sling...  I'd say my airport is well above average in difficulty to tune up landings if you haven't done it in a while.  3100' long, 48' wide, and, often, crosswinds.

Meanwhile, I have finished up various interior items that weren't done when I flew home.  Some exterior items have also been addressed, but not everything (e.g. still need to do the steps...).  I also decided that I wanted to upgrade my 650 to the 650Xi.  I figured if there was ever a time to do it, now was the time, while the 650 still has good value.  I already copied all the config data from the 650, so I'm ready to plug in the Xi.  Then the 650 goes on eBay.  If anybody wants it before I do that, then email me or comment on this post and I'll get back to you.

Installed the handset hanger that people on the Sling Builders Facebook group recommended.  Perfect!  Also, put one further back for the rear seat.

 

The Interior looks much better now.

One of the tasks you have to do before doing the swap is upgrading the GTN software.

I got a kick out of seeing this because I'm a digital hardware designer and I've designed MANY "FPGA's" over the last 30+ years.  FPGA stands for Field Programmable Gate Array - and that's literally what's being done here in this photo.  As opposed to a typical "chip" an FPGA's design can be changed after it's shipped.  Could be to add features and/or fix bugs.

Looking good!  Now, if I can get some warmer and nicer weather I can get back in the air!

This past Friday I gave a presentation to my local EAA Chapter (106) on the whole journey of building Sadie.  It's an hour long, so if you're interested, buckle up. ;-)

I've been trying to work down my squawk list, with the top item being the rudder/nosewheel alignment.

I assembled a simple laser pointer alignment tool and started working on the issue.

My alignment tool ready to go.

Taped to the sides of the tire and pointing down.

I dropped a plumb bob down from the tip of the prop spinner and marked it.  The rudder is perfectly straight in the back and you can see that the nose wheel is a bit to the left.  I loosened the jam nuts on the pushrods near the wheel but will need help loosening the ones inside.  It's just too tight in there for me to hold the pushrod and loosen the jam nut.  So, I'll need someone outside holding the pushrod while I loosen the jam nut.  I honestly don't know how anybody bigger than me can get under the panel at all.  Once the stick is installed, it's crazy tight under there.

I installed the plug that comes with the OptiMate charger so it'll be easy to plug it in whenever I need to (e.g. updating SW takes a long time, so you can just plug in the charger when it's doing that - it has a special mode for just that task).