Russtbucket
I'm New Here
I've recently been pulled into a mess of a project. An RV-8 with several previous builders who each gave up and passed it on to some other gullible fool.
I have become this aircraft's latest victim. The current owners had their mechanic move away and I've become the closest A&P.
The airframe is mostly complete, but the previous builders wanted to make a Super 8. The engine that came with the project is an IO-540. The avionics are already installed with most of the wires run, but the wires aren't connected to anything or labeled, so that'll be a fun birdsnest to sort through. There is even a partially installed oxygen system.
My goal is to make a simple no frills RV-8. The plan is to get rid of the engine and get an IO-360. Since the glass panel is already installed I'm stuck with it, the autopilot, and all the outdated gps/nav/com equipment. I won't be keeping the oxygen system, so there's a few more pounds in weight savings. There's a whole lot of missing parts I'll have to scrounge together as well and several questionable design alterations that may need changed.
The thing that worries me the most is the prop. It's been sitting on a shelf for six years and has no logs except for a bill stating that it is a modified Aztec hub with shortened blades. My preferred prop shop said it could be safe if the blades and hub have the right part numbers, but if I send it out for overhaul I wouldn't be surprised at all if it becomes a paperweight.
The plan is to pick it up next week. With the crop dusting dying down for a bit and no annuals due for the next two months I should be able to get a better assessment of what I've got myself into.
Russell B
I have become this aircraft's latest victim. The current owners had their mechanic move away and I've become the closest A&P.
The airframe is mostly complete, but the previous builders wanted to make a Super 8. The engine that came with the project is an IO-540. The avionics are already installed with most of the wires run, but the wires aren't connected to anything or labeled, so that'll be a fun birdsnest to sort through. There is even a partially installed oxygen system.
My goal is to make a simple no frills RV-8. The plan is to get rid of the engine and get an IO-360. Since the glass panel is already installed I'm stuck with it, the autopilot, and all the outdated gps/nav/com equipment. I won't be keeping the oxygen system, so there's a few more pounds in weight savings. There's a whole lot of missing parts I'll have to scrounge together as well and several questionable design alterations that may need changed.
The thing that worries me the most is the prop. It's been sitting on a shelf for six years and has no logs except for a bill stating that it is a modified Aztec hub with shortened blades. My preferred prop shop said it could be safe if the blades and hub have the right part numbers, but if I send it out for overhaul I wouldn't be surprised at all if it becomes a paperweight.
The plan is to pick it up next week. With the crop dusting dying down for a bit and no annuals due for the next two months I should be able to get a better assessment of what I've got myself into.
Russell B