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Author Topic: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...  (Read 179752 times)

donv

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #390 on: June 09, 2020, 12:56:32 am »
I saw it sitting outside today!

Steve binnette

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #391 on: June 09, 2020, 12:04:33 pm »
Hang in there Adam, piston twins are going away slowly but surely.  Your airplane should be tempting to someone making the choice between a 421/414/340.

It is just a matter of making people aware.  Have you posted on any websites for piston twins, like twin Cessna flyer.  They might even be interested in a write up on your plane.

Just thought.

Adam Frisch

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #392 on: June 12, 2020, 04:49:53 pm »
I saw it sitting outside today!

I told them they could roll it outside until the part arrives. 16 week lead time on the vent... :o

Steve, I have not made any more efforts to make it more visible. I'm hoping I can get her back here to LA and put the interior in, and then re-assess. At least with the interior in and all the pressurization stuff taken care of I should be able to sell her (if still need to then). Without an interior in place, I think I'll struggle to get much interest. If there's anything I've learned over the years with aircraft, it's that people buy with their eyes.
Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

donv

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #393 on: June 12, 2020, 07:49:25 pm »
I think that's exactly the right thing to do. Is the part coming from Twin Commander?

SKYFLYER

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #394 on: June 13, 2020, 07:30:54 am »
Hopefully when you re-assess... once back in LA... the economy and your industry along with your awesome vintner adventure will be such that you will feel confident in completing what you need to on the Commander and get to enjoy all that it has to offer for years to come.

I like your plan

Steve binnette

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #395 on: June 13, 2020, 10:46:43 am »
Good to hear Adam,  your plane would be very difficult to replace. If you win the lottery you can just add airplanes to the hangar.

SJ30- international flights
P180- domestic
Commander- backcountry

Adam Frisch

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #396 on: June 14, 2020, 09:04:19 pm »
I think that's exactly the right thing to do. Is the part coming from Twin Commander?

Yes, that's my understanding.

And SkyFlyer and Steve - I'm hoping that might be the case as well! ;)

Right now I need to renew medical and get my currency in, so I'm ready to ferry when they day comes!
Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

Adam Frisch

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #397 on: August 05, 2020, 08:11:03 pm »
Update.

Duct arrived and pressurization is now good. She makes the full 4.2psi, albeit at Max Flow, still. I can live with that, but they're still sealing some stuff up, so they're hopeful she'll be able to make it at Normal flow.

But.

Upon run-ups, they noticed fuel leaks from FCU where it attaches to engine on LH side. Hoping it was just a leaking gasket, upon dismantle it turned out to not be. It's actually a leak inside the FCU. Sigh. They found a tagged one for $7800, or I could have it sent in for repair. The average repair is apparently around $5K, but they say that if the drive shaft is worn, it can easily be $10K. I went for the overhaul and took my chances - will see where it ends up.
« Last Edit: August 07, 2020, 12:03:51 am by Adam Frisch »
Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

donv

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #398 on: August 05, 2020, 08:16:58 pm »
The nice thing about the 4.2psi Commanders is that they generally make that without issues. Going to 5.2 was a stretch, because they didn't significantly increase the air flow, so put some leaks in there and you are back to 4.2.

Bummer about the FCU, but that's how these things go. Still, getting closer!

SKYFLYER

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #399 on: August 05, 2020, 09:52:30 pm »
What is the turn around time? Did they give you any estimate.

I guess "stuff" just happens but I have been pretty lucky the past couple of years not having any odd or unusual costs.

Suppose I should knock on wood as I have hots coming up.

donv

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #400 on: August 06, 2020, 12:08:01 pm »
Generally, I have found Commanders to be quite reliable. However, as these airplanes get older, the ones with difficult histories and poor maintenance tend to have a lot more issues built up.

John Wood

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #401 on: August 12, 2020, 10:15:32 am »
Adam,

I have been working my way through this 27-page epic.  Have you been approached for the movie rights to this story?

Adam Frisch

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #402 on: August 17, 2020, 12:07:24 am »
Adam,

I have been working my way through this 27-page epic.  Have you been approached for the movie rights to this story?

Yeah, by a horror movie studio!  ;D
Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

Adam Frisch

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #403 on: August 23, 2020, 06:41:24 am »
Gamble did not pay off. They opened up FCU and found it needed $15K in repairs. So now I'm back to buying the one AeroAir could source for $7800 yellow tagged. But it pisses me off a little that the FCU repair place wants $2200 for just opening it up and disassembling.. Feels a little rich, but what do I know.  :-X

Aviation - death by a thousand cuts.

Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

Steve binnette

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Re: Stepping up to old 680V turbine...
« Reply #404 on: August 23, 2020, 10:23:20 pm »
That stinks!  Sounds rich to me also, that 20hrs of labor!