Arriving in Alabama |
Trailer Hitch Exposed | ||
Removing Propeller |
Ready to Connect |
Moved Into Place |
Connecting to Car |
At the airport, the airplane configuration was restored and a checklist of remaining work was made. | |||
Arriving at Hangar |
Securing Compartment |
Attaching Propeller |
To-Do List |
The state of Alabama got the notion that this project was a viable airplane and assessed property tax, which started a battle to convince them otherwise that became an annual event. After a successful engine run, the nose tip, canards, and radio were attached, after which the airplane attracted a lot of attention taxiing around the airport. With wings attached for the occasion, Daydream was the star of the EAA float that won first prize in the 2008 Guntersville Christmas Parade. | |||
Tax Appraisal |
Engine Run |
Canards/Nose/Radio |
Christmas Parade |
After crafting two wood molds, shaped to fit the engine protrusion on each side of the fuselage, they were used to create fiberglass covers. After attaching the new engine compartment doors, Daydream was connected to a tie-down to perform a full throttle engine runup, then several high speed runs were made on the airport runway. | |||
Engine Covers |
Tie Down |
Tie Down Runup |
High Speed Run |
Aircraft ID Plate | Daydream was ready to fly in 2010. The newly required IFF was installed, all the necessary applications had been approved and certificates issued. The Aircraft Identification Plate was affixed to the instrument panel. Pre-flight checklist and test plan were prepared. |
Instrument Panel | |
Airman Application |
Tech Advisor Report |
Airworthiness App |
Airworthiness Cert |
Operating Limitations |
Instrument Limits |
Pre-flight Checklist |
Flight Test Plan |
Mini-Canards | The first step toward flight was to lift the nosewheel, then put it quickly down, but Daydream would not cooperate. After several new struts were made, raising the nose successively higher, it still remained firmly on the ground. George had a sudden moment of illumination, looking at the airplane, when he noticed that the aircraft center of gravity was horizontally aligned with the engine center of gravity. His solution required a major design modification to add a pair of "mini-canards" in front and slighly below the canards. He included a servo motor with cockpit control, to adjust their angle of attack. In addition to allowing the aircraft to take off, he expected them to serve as trim tabs during flight. Finally, after the mini-canards were designed, built, and installed, Daydream's nosewheel was able to leave the ground. During all this time, several parts on the airplane for many years began to need replacement. The tires needed to be replaced, but that size was no longer available so wheels had to be replaced. Several leaks cropped up, one requiring replacement of the brake lines, which was a very tedious job requiring getting into several very tight spaces. Finally, after thirty years in the making, Daydream was ready for the big day. All the members of the local EAA chapter and reporters from newspapers and the local TV station planned to attend Daydream's first flight. Tragedy struck two days before the big event when George suffered a cardiac arrest and nobody thought to cancel the event - virtually the entire town had no idea why they had been stood up. George miraculously survived and spent the next 3.5 years on a very long road to recovery, never losing his passion to fly Daydream, but it just didn't happen. | ||
Brakes | |||
Final Build | |||