Club Notices
Our Grob is in the air. It flew for the first time Saturday afternoon Oct 16 with Steve in the pilots seat. He completed the evaluation flight then Linday took it up for approx 45 mins to give the new engine some additional TLC.
Watch out for news from Lindsay re flying and check flights.
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The club 109 is not airworthy.
This is due to stone damage to the propellor.
Unfortunatly, our spare prop is away for an overhaul.
6/1/10The engine and prop have now been removed and have been sent away for o/haul. Engine is "near" TBO so all alternatives are to be explored.
24/1/10 The A/D on the undercarraige legs has been done and it was found that replacement is not required saving us approx $8K. The legs have been corosion inhibited, primed and painted and will be refitted ASAP.
30/1/10 The undercarraige legs were refitted by Baylee and myself. It is back on its wheels. The next job that can be done is to refit the U/C fairings and spats. These are under the fuz with the screws alongside. These items can benefit from a good clean and polish. While your down there, the underneath of the fuz could use some more of the same. Thanks
5/2/10 The prop is in Melbourne and awaiting overhaul. (blades from Germany) We are also waiting for prices on parts for the engine.
11/2/10 Spoke to the engine builder, he is proposing a new short block engine from Germany may be a possible alterative.
Awaiting prices. Will post more ASAP.
18/2/10 Spoke to engine builder at AAPF, Factory reco shortblock engine best option. Ordered engine from Nigel. Quote for engine is $10.7k AUD plus freight. (air from Germany, Freight not known at this stage, will advise when known) Plus GST
Insurance Co will pay the quote for the bulk strip, Approx $8k. I have the partial release form for signing.
When engine arrives here it has work to be performed by Mick at AAPF, new mag fitted, carbies reconditioned, new fuel pump etc. His bill will be approx $3.5k
Estimate at this stage is Engine 10.7 plus 3.5 minus 8=$6.2k. This does not include engine freight or any costs associated with the prop.
23/2/10 Engine ordered from Germany today. Expect 4 weeks delivery.
Updated cost $10.7K+gst=$11.8k plus freight ( $1.4k+GST=1.6k) plus $3.5k minus $8k = $8.9k. These prices will depend on exchange rate etc.
The prop is being overhauled to new, cost unknown at this stage.
17/3/10 Received email from Limbach Germany noting that the export manager was sick and we could expect approx 1 week delay with our engine. We have paid for the engine ($10.7k) GST and freight to be added on its arrival. No time frame on the prop as yet.
26/3/10 Just received the lastest news on our engine from the Limbach agent. See email below.
G'day Bob.
Sorry for the delay. Limbach advised it was ready and I have been in contact with my Customs Agent/Freight Company who have confirmed the wheels are in motion for pickup.
I have had some spares added to the box. Fortunately organizing this did not delay your engine as they had them in stock and when I spoke with the factory last night the On forwarder had not yet contacted them so there was no delay in adding it to the delivery.
The result of this is that those customers get your bulk rate for freight.
I divide the cost by weight to determine their freight cost.
The advantage to you is that the customs charges will remain the same with a bit more weight and substantially more in monitory value. I divide the customs costs by invoice value and then the other customers pay there percentage share so thus this will save you a bit on the customs clearance. Every bit helps.
Cheers.
Nigel.
I asked Airprop Services for an updated time frame on out prop. Have not received a reply as yet. If any further info is required on anything, please email Bob J.
1/5/10 Engine arrives. Bob J meets Baylee at Summertown ( after Baylee has driven from Currency Creek to MBGC ) on Saturday to pickup engine and load carefully into back of Baylee's new ute. We then departed Summertown to head to Gawlewr north in the Mazda to pick up our old engine in pieces. Back to Summertown. Baylee delivers the engine solo as Bob wimps out and heads home. Baylee gets lucky and happens to find a security person making rounds at MBGC and he helps out with the unloading of the engine. Baylee gets home about 11.00pm
3/5/10 I email Airprop services to enquire as to our prop. Is told that it was delivered to Southerm Prop Sve a week ago. Hmmm! Contacts them and they kindly agree to deliver the new prop to Bob J in town. Log book forgotten but will be posted to me at work. prop arrives 5/5/10. Log book arrives 7/5/10.
Prop now has zero hours. Interesting!!!!
4/5/10 Carbys delivered to Carby and Fuel Injection Sve for overhaul.
When stripped it is observed that water has long been present in the carbys. A lot of water corrosion, but can be fixed but we will need to address this issue. It must be getting in from the fuel supplier or the jerry cans. Must fix.
6/5/10 I sign a insurance release on the prop. The repair bill for the prop alone was a massive $7829.88.
8/6/10 I intend to be at MBGC to start swapping bits from old engine to new engine.
******* I was hoping to update Steve's B massive effort on the 3000 hour life extension. He has been so busy with pushrods etc, I will try to update
that side or things soon.
22/6/10 Steve B has uncovered a problem with an aileron pushrod. the pushrod will have to be replaced but getting one from Grob without damage could be tough and expensive. The GFA have authorised a local replacement from the original Grob dealer. Baylee steps in again and straps on a 6m length of storm water pipe and drives from Currency Creek to North Gawler and then on to Lyndock to have the tubing made into a pushrod by a qualified person. After Lyndock its on the MBGC and them back to Currency Creek. Not a bad drive.
29/6/10 It was decided to use a later engine accessory case ( in stock ) on the back of our new engine as it permits altenator drive belt changing with the engine in place. The acccessories are bolted on and the engine lifted into place. I now have the overhauled carbies back in stock and have had the hot air boxes also overhauled. All the baffling, carbys, exhaust etc can now be bolted back on.
Steve has been fitting new air brake caps to the wings while the pushrod is being finished. The 3000 hour is a mamouth job. Thanks Steve.
3/7/10 Baylee make the long trip to Lyndock to pick up our completed new pushrod. A long day was spent bolting on accessories, reco carbies, air boxes, fuel lines, fuel pump, baffles etc.
10/7/10 Steve has the new pushrod and bushes installed. A hole had to be cut into the lower wing skin and the wing tip to allow access for this all to happen. Steve is now in the process of making a patch and installing same. More accessories were installed along with the wiring and some new cylinder head temp thermocouples. The muffler will be next, it had to be welded, a crack was found in the hot air intake, many thanks to Lindsay for his several trips to Parafield on his bike for the repair.
Many thanks to the extra helpers who turned out to assist in this work on a day when it would have been much nicer sitting by the fire. I think that there is a light visible in the end of the tunnel.
The AGM is also on the horizon, stay tuned for an anouncement.
17/7/10 Engine install almost complete. I have one thermo couple yet to install, will take 5 minutes next time I get there. Uncovered a leaking caliper seal, now fixed and all the under cart fairings attached. Steve has partially installed the patch in the wing and will finish that jobs when he returns for QLD. No, he is not on holidays, he is doing a maintenance course.
He will be back soon.
21/8/10 Engine install now complete except for the prop install. Steve is continuing on the 3000 hour life extension and is is nearing completion.
He needs assistance with assembly of some components.
If you can assist, please call him and assist where possible.
The more hands at this stage, the quicker it will be in the air.
2/10/10 Engine has now run and all is well. Steve has almost finished the wing repairs. FFQ has been rigged and deflections done. It has had a weight and balance done.
Test flights will happen soon.