National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

The 1946 Champ I bought In December 2009 has undergone a complete renovation and is now ready to fly! Test flight is planned for tomorrow, July 7, 2011. Photos of the aircraft are available here: http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/RRHaldeman/

Dick,

It looks great! Have you flown it? Will you be bringing it to Florida this year?

Congrats!!!

John, I test fly it tomorrow morning, very early. First flight for the bird and the C85, after the renovation. I plan 1 hour within gliding distance of the field. If all goes well, another 2-3 hours close to some nice fields.

Yes, I plan to fly her south for the winter, but I'm planning a get there the L O N G way. In early September, I plan to fly to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome to see the old planes fly. Then I hope to take the "Sully Sullenberger" tour of the Hudson River. And then, I plan to depart from Somerset Airport in NJ and head to San Diego (recreating the flight of the Rinker Bros. Who made the trip in 1966 when they were only 15 and 17).

Then I head to Florida. If I get there in early October, that will be just fine. Another adventure from my bucket list.

Great looking plane! Enjoy her first flight!

1st flight was perfect. 6:30 a.m., calm winds, high thin overcast, great visibility, temp 63 degrees F; minimum ground time; full throttle and the Champ leaped into the air! Stayed within gliding distance for an hour; landed, uncowled: no problems, dry, all nuts and bolts tight. Next flight was 2 hours; filled both aux tanks; took off on 1/2 full main tank. After 10 minutes, opened the left aux tank valve and shut it after 20 minutes (just to make sure there was time to drain). Flew around until the main was 1/2 full; then opened the right aux tank valve and shut it after 20 minutes (just to make sure there was time to drain). After two hours, landed and checked fuel tanks. Both aux tanks were dry - all the fuel did drain. The main was just about 1/2 full. So the fuel system works the way it should. The day was so great that I spent 5.3 hours in the Champ breaking in the engine.

Nice. Congratulations.

Great Job Rick, the pics are really helpful for others.

nkh

Dick,

Which address do you want me to send the trim/throttle knob to? I'm the slender bushy-haired fellow who promised you a knob at Blakesburg.

travis gregory
1710 Clark Ave.
Ames, Iowa 50010
Lgriffen80@msn.com

P.S. The brake 337 stuff did not come through.

Travis,

Thank you but cancel the request. I found the missing knob in my briefcase. Must be my age . . . .

Dick

How's your SDO trip going?

Let me know when you will get to SW Fla.

John,
Follow my flight on Facebook or here.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... WMqknACf74

I have a SPOT CONNECT. If you send me your email address, I will be able to update you via email from time to time. Very cool technology.