Is anyone familiar with this Decathlon in Cali?

Bartman

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https://barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?id=1482565

1978 BELLANCA SUPER DECATHLON • $49,500 • FOR SALE • N50247, 1592 TT, 527 Hours SMOH, Collins VHF 251 Digital Com, Collins VIR 351 Digital Nav, Collins VOR/Localizer, Collins TDR 950 Mode C, Transponder, Oil temp gauge, Oil pressure gauge, Fuel pressure gauge, Accelerometer gauge ("G" Meter), Amp gauge, Alcor EGT gauge (analog), Starter button

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Bob Turner

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No, but it looks ok from here. Nice to know it has a starter button.

Be a fun flight from Colombia to California?
 

Big Ed

N50247 - '79 Super D
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It made it's way to Florida. I am currently having a pre-buy done. If all goes well, I will be the owner in a week or two.
 

Bartman

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I'm re-reading the posts, I don't know if I was kidding or confused? For example, I just got home this morning from a four day trip to India, you could sell me a bridge if you happened to catch me right after I got home.

This plane was haunting me for a few days back when I was trying to make a push to finish my Citabria and had equal amounts of motivation to sell it as a project! Glad to see it's gone to a new owner and that we're able to call that person a fellow member of the site! Congrats @Big Ed ! Good luck with the pre-buy, let us know how it all goes and don't forget that we love pics here!

Have you any Super D time or is this all brand new for you? @Bob Turner is a long time Super D owner who would be happy to talk about it with you. I'm starting a rebuild of one, not sure where it's going to go but I'll be paying attention as questions come up.

Welcome!
Bart

ps, we love pics.
 

Big Ed

N50247 - '79 Super D
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Thanks! I have about 75 hours in Decathons and previously owned 1/4 share of one, so while I am not an expert, it is not brand new for me. In particular, I am familiar with the wood spar AD and the potential issues with buying a T&F aircraft with an older covering.

This one has some issues, as you might expect from an airplane at that price. However, the readily apparent issues are priced into the deal, and there are some very good attributes to the plane. If there are no hidden issues, it is still a good buy. I will know more by the middle of the week, when the maintenance shop gets done with it. If I buy it, I will post a bit more about the history of the aircraft.
 

Big Ed

N50247 - '79 Super D
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Pre-buy came back good, so I am moving forward with purchase. :)

It does have some ugly spots on the paint, and some minor repairs required to the fabric. I'm hoping to do some of that myself. The seller is an A&P, and is willing to supervise and help, but he's not experienced with fabric. Any tips on how to make that work and do it legal?

Also, I'm pondering a few upgrades to the panel for my intended use, which is going to include a lot of VFR cross country. Since the photo above was taken, the transponder has been replaced with a Garmin GTX335, so it is ADS-B Out compliant. I have a GDL-50 for ADS-B In to feed traffic, weather, and GPS WAAS nav to a tablet running Garmin Pilot. I have a phone running Pilot as backup, so I do not feel I need a panel mount GPS.

I'm considering installing an AI to improve my chances if I fly into clouds at night. The new electronic digital horizons are not sensitive to acro, so was looking at a Garmin G5 or an RC Allen 2610-3. I can get AHRS on my tablet or phone from the GDL-50, but not sure I would trust my life to that.

The G5 has more functionality, but I think I prefer the RC Allen. It fits in an existing gauge hole to preserve the clean look of the panel, and comes with an analog ball option.

So here is the question: replace the gyro TC with the AI, or keep the TC and relocate it elsewhere on the panel? Only option I could think of would be put it in the spot currently occupied by the 3" Tach, and install a 2" Tach next to the MP. I kinda prefer that location for the tach anyways, since it is directly above the Pitch control. I don't fool with RPM much, set it up and leave it, so not sure why I need it right in my face while flying. Thoughts?
 

Big Ed

N50247 - '79 Super D
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Mock up of what I am thinking for option A, replace TC with AI. Looking at it, wonder if I could fit dual USB charger next to EGT on far right edge of panel, so shorter wires to GDL and tablet.

mock panel - Copy.png
 

Bob Turner

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My panel is posted somewhere. I have gyro attitude, heading, and turn instruments, and a shutoff valve down around my left shin just inboard of an 11" venturi.

I keep the air shut off almost 90% of the time. In fact, on my last practice ILS, I shut the air off on downwind and do a no gyro approach. I have a KN53 with glideslope, and have tricked the 295 Garmin into a matching glideslope all the way down. The Garmin has a horizontal flight director that can be used to stay rightside up in an "emergency."

The Dec is not certificated IFR, so you do not need the latest - but it will keep you IFR legal.

On the fabric, happy to help. Read a bit, and use common sense - take some of the rigorous patching instructions with a grain of salt. If you need to patch the belly under the cockpit, you will need to stitch - takes a real beating under there.
 

Big Ed

N50247 - '79 Super D
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Definitely don't want to add vacuum, but with modern electronic AI/DG no reason for that. I'm not IFR rated anyways.

If only flying VFR and I have an AI with ball, does the TC do me any good or should I toss it?

I've done a bit of stitching, so not afraid of that.
 

Bartman

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My panel is posted somewhere.
Here ya go!
 

Bartman

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Pre-buy came back good, so I am moving forward with purchase. :)

........
Congrats! Good luck with it!

Please consider starting a new thread in the projects area and post your changes/updates as they're done. We'll enjoy seeing your work and they pics/info will help the next person.
 

Goodyear

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Pre-buy came back good, so I am moving forward with purchase. :)

It does have some ugly spots on the paint, and some minor repairs required to the fabric. I'm hoping to do some of that myself. The seller is an A&P, and is willing to supervise and help, but he's not experienced with fabric. Any tips on how to make that work and do it legal?

Also, I'm pondering a few upgrades to the panel for my intended use, which is going to include a lot of VFR cross country. Since the photo above was taken, the transponder has been replaced with a Garmin GTX335, so it is ADS-B Out compliant. I have a GDL-50 for ADS-B In to feed traffic, weather, and GPS WAAS nav to a tablet running Garmin Pilot. I have a phone running Pilot as backup, so I do not feel I need a panel mount GPS.

I'm considering installing an AI to improve my chances if I fly into clouds at night. The new electronic digital horizons are not sensitive to acro, so was looking at a Garmin G5 or an RC Allen 2610-3. I can get AHRS on my tablet or phone from the GDL-50, but not sure I would trust my life to that.

The G5 has more functionality, but I think I prefer the RC Allen. It fits in an existing gauge hole to preserve the clean look of the panel, and comes with an analog ball option.

So here is the question: replace the gyro TC with the AI, or keep the TC and relocate it elsewhere on the panel? Only option I could think of would be put it in the spot currently occupied by the 3" Tach, and install a 2" Tach next to the MP. I kinda prefer that location for the tach anyways, since it is directly above the Pitch control. I don't fool with RPM much, set it up and leave it, so not sure why I need it right in my face while flying. Thoughts?
 

Big Ed

N50247 - '79 Super D
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I am now officially the owner of N50147. Well, not 100% official til I register with the FAA, but I've paid and taken possession of the plane.

Excited but also nervous. This is a flying project. The maintenance aspects are intimidating to me. Let the adventure begin!