Back In The Saddle Again,..... Almost

C

Cowboys Air Ranch 84ME

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2021
Messages
179
Location
Forest Twp, Maine
Howdy,

Finally got my Citabria back after 4-1/2 months of pure trouble.

First off, I sprung a leak in the left fuel tank back in Oct, which required removing the tank for repair. That was the quick part. A few weeks later it was back installed in place waiting for it to be finished hooked up.

Then the IA went away for a procedure, and was going to be out only a few weeks which took a few months. So, during this time, it was slated for an annual inspection, and I did what I could do (Owner Maintence) like oil, filter, wheel bearings, tires, brakes, removing panels and propeller, etc.

Sent propeller out for re-pitching but they wanted to do a complete overhaul before re-pitch as it had some corrosion, at least that is what they said. So, back it came without any work being done to it.

Holidays came and went, and IA was back doing repairs, but only working a few hours a day. I can not hold that against him. February got here and it got into the repair shop for annual and tank installation. Now, it is finished as of last Friday, and I today went out to the community hangar where it is parked, fueled it up, test run and finished putting on the STC stickers and placards as needed along with the IA. Auto Fuel and Door Removal.

I checked out the plane so everything was good. But, weather is not co-operating very well. Got overcast fast, and very windy, but managed to test run and seat in the new brakes, etc.

Guess I just have to wait for good weather and go flying. Meanwhile, working on making up the rigging for the Federal A2000-A Skis. At least they will be ready for next year.

Pic of repair to tank covering. Got placards on, but still missing fuel quanity sticker. Not too shabby of a repair! Wings will need a recover in a few years anyway. Placard for the Door Removal got installed. With my luck, it will rain and be cold all summer !!!

Glad the other folks on here are still flying and/or getting their aircraft back in the air as well.

Ken "COWBOY" Winiarski
Cowboys Air Ranch (84ME)
 

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Looks really nice Ken. Do a really, really good pre-flight before launching...you had a lot of work done over a long period of time. Those are the jobs that tend to have little stuff left...un-done.
Glad you got it back for the spring flying season.
Chris
 
Flyingj said:
Hopefully the weather will improve soon, I'm sure you're ready to get in the air!!!
Click to expand...
Howdy,

I was planning on taking her up today, but nasty crosswinds at the airport I am keeping it at and I do not want to chance it, as I have been grounded for four monrth's now. Need to hone my skills again. Besides, Only 20F outside anyway "Brrrrrrrrr". But I could take it back to my home airport (84ME), but calling for snow tomorrow. I keep it in KHUL in the community hangar for the winter.

Will be nice this summer when I build my own hangar at home. Price of lumber going up again and cost of heating fuel, I am thinking a small hangar, like a pole barn type, 42ft wide x 36ft or maybe even 42ft deep. Nothing fancy. Maybe just a gravel floor?

Ken "COWBOY" Winiarski
Cowboys Air Ranch (84ME)
 
Hiperbiper said:
Looks really nice Ken. Do a really, really good pre-flight before launching...you had a lot of work done over a long period of time. Those are the jobs that tend to have little stuff left...un-done.
Glad you got it back for the spring flying season.
Chris
Click to expand...

Yup,

I am really glad to get her back in flying condition again. I always check everyone's work, as folks make mistakes, me included.

I teach High School Automotive, and always have my students check each other's work. It is a good practice as mistakes can be made, things forgotten, and such, like putting the fuel capacity decals on the fuel tank caps. Not a safety issue, but a legal requirement.

Ken "COWBOY" Winiarski
Cowboys Air Ranch (84ME)
 
b727plumber said:
I like the red stripe on the fuel caps! I think I will borrow that idea so I can see them from standing behind the wing.
Click to expand...

Howdy,

Got that Idea from another taildragger I saw at a STOL competition last year. Makes sure the caps are tight and turned all the way to the stops.

Ken "COWBOY" Winiarski
Cowboys Air Ranch (84ME)
 
Cowboys Air Ranch 84ME said:
Howdy,

Finally got my Citabria back after 4-1/2 months of pure trouble.

First off, I sprung a leak in the left fuel tank back in Oct, which required removing the tank for repair. That was the quick part. A few weeks later it was back installed in place waiting for it to be finished hooked up.

Then the IA went away for a procedure, and was going to be out only a few weeks which took a few months. So, during this time, it was slated for an annual inspection, and I did what I could do (Owner Maintence) like oil, filter, wheel bearings, tires, brakes, removing panels and propeller, etc.

Sent propeller out for re-pitching but they wanted to do a complete overhaul before re-pitch as it had some corrosion, at least that is what they said. So, back it came without any work being done to it.

Holidays came and went, and IA was back doing repairs, but only working a few hours a day. I can not hold that against him. February got here and it got into the repair shop for annual and tank installation. Now, it is finished as of last Friday, and I today went out to the community hangar where it is parked, fueled it up, test run and finished putting on the STC stickers and placards as needed along with the IA. Auto Fuel and Door Removal.

I checked out the plane so everything was good. But, weather is not co-operating very well. Got overcast fast, and very windy, but managed to test run and seat in the new brakes, etc.

Guess I just have to wait for good weather and go flying. Meanwhile, working on making up the rigging for the Federal A2000-A Skis. At least they will be ready for next year.

Pic of repair to tank covering. Got placards on, but still missing fuel quanity sticker. Not too shabby of a repair! Wings will need a recover in a few years anyway. Placard for the Door Removal got installed. With my luck, it will rain and be cold all summer !!!

Glad the other folks on here are still flying and/or getting their aircraft back in the air as well.

Ken "COWBOY" Winiarski
Cowboys Air Ranch (84ME)
Click to expand...

Looks good! I am needing to remove a leaking tank also. Is that a wood spar wing with 18 gal. tanks? Do you have pics of the process? Were you able to do it without pulling the wing off? How much fabric did you have to cut - to second rib past tank, or just to the tank rib? How were you able to get the brace wires out from the center of the tank? Sorry for the barrage of questions, I would just like to have a better idea what we (A&P & I) need to prepare for.
Thanks in advance
 
You really do need to remove top and bottom fabric. Getting it undone and out of the airplane even after all that fabric is out of the way is not trivial. It has been ten years since I tried it - giant pain. Super Cub is lots easier.
 
Thanks for the input Bob. Do you remember how far outboard of the tank you needed to go? I imagine it needs to be far enough to get to the ends of the cross brace attachment points?
 
The maintenance manual tells you exactly how much to remove. We tried to do less - didn't work. Getting the diagonals out - I left that to the young guys in the shop. It has been a very long time.
 
I did this a long time ago. We only took off the upper fabric, don't remember how far out.
The diagonals slip right out after everything is detached where you can lift the end of the tank.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I will certainly start with cutting less - we can always go bigger! :)
 
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