Here is the deal

[SKYFLYER]

WOWEEEEE.... Now that is a resolve to the problem I did NOT see coming!!! Hot damn!!!!

[Dhavillandpilot]

If your looking for a pressurisation pump and gear. Give GAM in Melbourne Australia. They have an extremely large spares array including breaking up a number of commanders including a 680flp recently

[donv]

Adam's airplane seems like the right answer to me.

[donv]

Glenn, you might be interested in this. During some looking around on the internet, I found that Flying Magazine did a head-to-head comparison between the 690A and the 421B. It's long, but interesting:

https://books.google.com/books?id=BLEusG1WVg8C&pg=PA48&dq=flying+magazine+commander+690a&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjr6P2l-ILVAhVDKWMKHRPdB4EQ6AEILDAC#v=onepage&q&f=false

[Badger]

Great article!

[donv]

Something worth noting about that article: In the 421 section, he mentions that the 421 burned 249 gallons from LIT - PHX (including the stop), while the 690A burned 332 gallons.

Advantage 421? Not today. At today's prices, the differential is such that the 690A would have cost less, purely in fuel cost, on that leg than the 421. About 15% less, in fact.

[Jeff Johnson]

Plus geared engine overhaul costs @ 1200 hours
Vs turbine overhaul 5400 hours.

[Bruce Byerly]

Hey Glenn- What happeneed to the pump research and alternative parts sources?  421's don't have better pressure than any 690A or later btw.  But you can get any one of a million 340/414/421 planes nowadays. I'd rather have a 500 for my business because I can't afford a turbine yet.  I don't think you want to buy a project 690. 

[Popeye]

Hi Glenn.

The only difference between a 680F and the 680FP is only pressurization. You could eliminate that, but it would need some work as you would need ventilation in the airplane. It can be complicated. Do you really need to fly high?? for long legs??  if so, the jump into a turboprop. great reliability. I had one but still love my 680F. If you nedd details about the 690 A or B or higher, I am a goood source.

The engines were indeed on queen airs, only difference being the fuel unit (Bendix) and exhaust at bottom.

I am certain that we can find those pumps. perhaps we can talk to who has the data base of those 680FP's and try to find them.

Sometimes I also run into those situations, not finding solutions, but you and I know taht once we fly it no other airplanes gives you the same adrenaline and pleasure. so keep at it. You are a busy man and must have someone dedicated to finding the solution. Let me know if i can be of help.

I should have my registration problem solved within weeks. I would seriously consider picking up the plane with you, as I need an experienced pilot with me for peace of mind, regardless of my 700+ hrs on that airplane.

[ghancock]

Sounds good and thanks for all the info.  Adam, I may be interested in having that discussion.  I would love to have a turbine, just outside my budget at the moment.  I agree with everything you guys are saying and will reply tomorrow with more details on where we are with everything.  Currently on iPad and hate typing this Damn screen.

Thanks,

Glenn

[ghancock]

So a bit more details:  First off thanks for the ads sent through.  The 1 980 looks good if you consider the engines are totally run out and will require 500K to get it going again.  Still not a bad price for that kind of plane but still outside my budget at the moment.

The pump is supposed to arrive by Friday of this week and I have one more I'm considering sending up there way to see if there is any chance of getting it going.  The guy with the 680FP in Alabama says he's sold it but going to confirm that with him next week some time.

We have flushed the system over the last few days of all metal we could find, however, we've created another problem that we're trying to figure out now.  Morris said to flush the system with isopropyl alcohol and friends at Delta who work in the hydraulic shop assured us that Denatured alcohol would work just the same, of which I had a ton.  So we flushed out the skydrol first, then poured in 5 gallons of the latter and proceeded.  However, unknown to us until last night, mixing that with skydrol causes it to form a very thick silicon that sticks to everything.  So now my super clean filter is clogged with silicon and it is sticking to the sides of everything it can get to. 

We've cleaned out the tank but now trying to figure out how bad it is inside the pipes.  If I didn't have bad luck I'd have none at all.  Sometimes I just wonder what it would be like for something to just work the way it was supposed to. :-)

Anyway, thanks for all the advice and great article.  Adam, I'm about ready to talk :-)

Glenn

[ghancock]

So after a bit more searching and questioning it turns out the silicon material in the alcohol may be due to water and condensation from the air hose we were using to pressurize the system and force the alcohol through.   We also discovered that the proper isoprople alcohol dissolves the substance so going to flush again with that along with making sure airline is as free as possible from moisture.  But it does look like we might be able to work through it tonight.  If so we can get everything buttoned back up and full of skydrol.

I also spoke to the guy that has the other 680FP.  He said he still has not sold the plane and that if he doesn't get 50k for it he is going to part it out.  I doubt anyone is going to pay him that and I'm also a bit disappointed that he hasn't changed his ad details after I pointed out he was dead wrong on most of his claims about engine times and stuff.  I responded to him that I was most likely his only customer so to let me know.  We'll see what comes of it.

glenn

[donv]

Just FYI, the Aero Air 690s have been regularly flying and could easily be made ready to go... one of them was on the ramp yesterday morning, headed somewhere. They have good avionics and everything.

As for the engines, they can play mix and match and get you whatever combination of engine times and price you want. I think they could even arrange rental engines for you, which would cost more per hour but very little up front.

[ghancock]

Thanks,  I'll keep that in mind when I get more serious about upgrading.  I have all but decided that IF I change planes it is going to be to a turbine and not just over to a 421.

Glenn

[ghancock]

can't catch a break.  I just hung up with the pump people at Consolidated and they screwed up and sent the damn pump ground so it won't be here until next week.  Having to cancel all of my plans (and those of people riding with me) to go to Oshkosh.

:-(

Glenn