Update on N680RR

[ghancock]

Well, Figured I'd give a position report on my 680FP for anyone interested.

I have rewired and moved most everything on the panel to get things more aligned with my brain.  I've removed things that were no longer wired up and I now know pretty much everything behind the panel as well as how to get there if the need arose.  I take it to the avionics shop next week to finish it up and have a 530W installed.

Morris sent me a rebuilt left brake cylinder and I got it installed today with much frustration.  Leak testing it tomorrow.

I have all of the parts for rebuilding the left brake caliper where the shop in Athens TN totally destroyed the new one I ordered.  Still upset about that but moving on.  I'm hoping to have it rebuilt and reinstalled with all new pistons and parts by end of day tomorrow.

I should get the rebuilt hydraulic pump to install on the left engine in the next few days and I noticed another few small leaks on that side earlier today that I will be visiting soon.

The left rudder pedal leather has been destroyed by skydrol and looking for another one now.  Not looking forward to that job but getting pretty good with getting to things so will figure it out at some point.

The shop in Athens TN was extremely good at one thing.  They could take new screws and install them in a way that hulk could not remove them.  I have 4 more to get out of floor board so I can pull it in order to clean the bottom of skydrol and then will be resealing it.  I also discovered during the process that they handn't even sealed the front plate that covers the tube for the controls so no way I'd have ever pressurized anyway. 

At this point I'm not even concerned with the pressurization and will revisit after I get everything else fixed and all leaks gone.

I've also got a problem with both engines only providing 3200RPM on takeoff at 47" where they should be producing 3400RPM. I've already adjusted the governors per instructions from Morris but it didn't make much difference so not sure what will be next on that front.

I'm also investigating the oil breather lines to see if they can be rerouted out the back of the engine intead of sitting up on top spraying oil everywhere.  It would appear internally there are holes and ports for it to run so not sure at what point it ended up on the top.

I've also got a confusing case of the defrost for the window being plugged up and the hoses removed.  I want to re-route but havent found in log book where it was removed or why.  Will be calling Morris for suggestions and if you guys have any ideas would love to hear them.

Hoping most hydraulic issues will be solved by end of this week though and that is the largest issue on my list at the moment.  Will send pictures and more info as I progress but we seem to be headed on the down hill side of fixing stuff atm.

Glenn

[Adam Frisch]

I'm there with ya, Glenn. At least you can work on it a bit yourself, mine is 500 miles away.

Just a point - the pedal and column boots are part of the pressure vessel as you know, so might not be something you'd want to buy second hand unless it's in great shape. I bought a complete new set for mine, both sides, and it was $4K. Yeah, it's a lot of money, but it's one of the most common culprits when it comes to cabin leaks. Just a heads up.

[Russell Legg]

While you are on those pedals - make sure you have a look at the status of the anchoring rivets...

[ghancock]

yes, I'm looking into the rivots now and Adam, where did you find the boots?  I'm sure mine are different than yours but maybe are close enough.

Thanks,

Glenn

[Adam Frisch]

Can't remember who retails them, but their name starts with an L I think. Morris will know. You can also order them from AeroAir.

[ghancock]

Hydraulic pump is installed.  Had to reroute a few lines because they built it with different orientation but not a big deal and actually turned out better in the long run.

Brake caliper has been rebuilt and installed as well so ready to test it.  Battery dead so charging it for testing tomorrow :-(

Talked to radio shop about 530W installation and they informed me that the radio I purchased has been sent in to Garmin for repair and it will be another 2 weeks before it is back.  Going to take it to them to get everything wired up anyway and will just wait on the radio to show up.  They are going to call tomorrow to see if they can put  a rush on it.  Not sure when they were going to tell me all of this but oh well.

So if all of the hydraulic leak tests go ok tomorrow I hope to take it for a spin around the port tomorrow and fly it to the radio shop on Saturday.

Fingers crossed!

Glenn

[Willis]

We're 'rootin' for ya.

[SKYFLYER]

Diddo what Willis said!!

[Adam Frisch]

You're almost there. I can feel it. 

[ghancock]

Well, we are getting close.  Left brake caliper has been totally rebuilt and working perfectly now.  Left Hydraulic pump is installed and primed and is working awesome.  No leaks in the last 5 flights so starting to thing we're getting close.  I have to reinstall the floorboard and seal it back up but going to wait another week before I do that just to make sure.

The 530W is installed and instruments moved around.  Plan to put panel back together today and hoping to have it looking like a flyable plane by end of day tomorrow.  Getting excited to be able to really start putting some time on it.

I also installed a new engine monitor along with fuel flow but need to install the fuel flow sensors, hopefully by tomorrow.

Looking forward to finally having an airplane.

Glenn

[ghancock]

Well,  I had a very strange day today.  I was cleaning spinners and windows.  Nothing else left to do until something else breaks :-)

I have a 4 hour trip planned tomorrow with the family and planning on getting up to 14k to test the pressurization system.  Will have another 7-8 hours on her by Wed and if all goes well she'll be headed to the Caribbean next Sunday, so fingers crossed.

Was going to upload some photos but apparently Apple can't figure out how to get Airdrop to actually work.  Will get them uploaded in a bit.  But have finished up the panel and interior and gotten everything all setup and ready to travel.  We're excited to finally be going somewhere in the new bird so hopefully all will go well.

Glenn

[ghancock]

Here are a few images from the last few days.  I'll be uploading more tomorrow night after the trip and will post back how it went.

Glenn

[aerocheck]

Very Nice Glenn!

[donv]

Glad to see things are coming along! Now I think you'll be able to move into the more enjoyable phase of Commander ownership, especially with summer coming quickly.

[ghancock]

So we put abuot 4 more hours on her today.  I have a few questions for you experts though.

1) I turned on the flight auto which puts a nice strong cooled air flow into the airplane from the overhead vents.

2) I turned on the pressurization system as I was planning to cruise along at 14k,  it made my ears pop so it was doing something, but then everything just quit.

3) When I decided to go back to conditioned air, I had nothing.  Not even a drizzle.

So did I blow something?  No pun intended. :-)

I took my wife and son on the trip to Northen Indiana as a test flight before we take it to the Caribbean next weekend.  Smooth as glass, beautiful day with only a 15knot head wind.  Landed up here with a 20knot gusting to 30knot direct cross wind and I learned why the rudder pedals and the steering are not connected.  The wind blowing on that huge tail almost took me off the runway a few times.  My crab angle approaching the runway was a bit unnerving as well.

But, she performed flawlessly and the family really enjoyed the trip.  My wife commented more than once how much more comfortable it was than the 310, so now I just need to get the air going again before next week.

Great day for flying!!!  But then, very few that aren't :-)

Glenn
Glenn