Tom has seen my airplane and my wife, so he knows how lucky I am! I have had my 180 for 39 years and she still bitch slaps me on occasion when I don't pay attention. (the plane not my wife).

I am following this thread with great interest. While I'm a licensed AME (Canadian A&P equivalent), most of my work is done in the amateur-built aircraft world. It is SO refreshing to find an aircraft owner and an aircraft maintainer who agree the only way to maintain an airplane is to do the best job one can possibly do. This frequently is the case in the airplanes I see. Owners are rarely defensive when I point out deficiencies; most are thankful for the extra eyes on their work.

Congratulations on what will surely be a very fine 180, Jg, and a big, hearty "attaboy" for your clear understanding of the value of excellent maintenance work.

Years ago as a boy working in my father's business he told me to always do the very best job I could do, and even then I had to understand there would likely be a better way to accomplish the task. When I see how confidently he boards the aircraft I built I'm thankful for his patient teachings over the years. He is right in teaching there simply is no substitute for quality in both materials and workmanship.

Well, here it is, the Psycho Billy Skywagon. It is almost impossible to make a 49 year old airplane new, but, with Del's help, we came close.

With all the structural refurbishment Del made, it is like a new airplane. He and I took a test flight to see if it needed to be re-trimmed, but it flew straight and level hands off. Del had "eyeballed it" and measured the camber while in the shop. On the way home, it trued 157 mph at 65% at 5,500'. The cowl flaps wouldn't stay closed so that probably cost me 3 or 4 mph.

I couldn't be happier and there is no way I can thank Del enough. He has become my new best friend.

Whether you need any structural work or not, you should stop by by Del's shop just to see and appreciate what is going on there. Craftsmanship and honesty are still alive. You just have to know where to look.

Now, if the lady with the check book would let me, I'd take Del a 1958 Cessna 310, like Sky King's, to have him completely rebuild.

So many airplanes, so little time.

And the 195 is having a new engine hung on it "as we speak". I think I have this "retirement" airplane thing figured out.

Jg

Awesome plane JGG

“Now, if the lady with the check book would let me, I'd take Del a 1958 Cessna 310, like Sky King's, to have him completely rebuild”

Del, how 81A treating you? I’m sure JGG has seen something

Regards,
Nigel

Great thread, fantastic looking bird, and now you know it's solid! Time to enjoy.

Do have to chuckle at your N#....

Great work. Looks like fun.

I don't think I've ever seen wheel pants on a Skywagon.

Johnny,

What is the stall speed on your 180 now?

The part Johnny didn't tell you.............after we flew the aircraft yesterday morning and he announced he was satisfied, he quickly departed without paying...........and he forgot his logs............and he flew my iPhone to Grenada MS

The feeling of my phone being in another state is hard to describe. I felt liberated and handicapped at the same time.

I think we were both so happy, we forgot about the "important" stuff. Johnny overnighted my phone to me. 24 hours of no phone

Johnny,
I'm overnighting your logs..........and the invoice, in the morning Thanks again for hanging in there with me

EDIT- Johnny was fully ready to pay. I just didn't have invoice ready. I blame that on Tina ; she babysits grandkids on Monday's

Brad,

I haven't done any testing other than coming home. I'm anxious to get the darn cowl flaps latch fixed and go to whatever altitude will let me pull 75% power to get max cruise capability.
I was keeping my fingers crossed for 155 knots. I'll get 150 for sure.

Before the wheel pants, it simply wouldn't stall; just mush along with the ASI sitting on 40 or so. I suspect I was so slow and at such a steep angle that I wasn't really getting an accurate reading. This airplane does have the Owl wing cuff. They were not in business long and sold out to Robertson. Wayne and I did some experimenting with both his and my 180 using a radar gun. About the slowest touchdown speed we could actually get was 56 mph if memory serves me right.

I am not expecting the wheel pants to change the slow speed characteristics though. You have really got to come over and fly her though. Then start looking for a Skywagon.

Jg

Good news is if FedEx loses them they will refund your shipping fee!

Good news is if FedEx loses them they will refund your shipping fee!

JGG
Those are Tommy Rose speeds, neat feller, kinda like you, pain in the ass but reall,,,,,,kool

When I was a kid going to summer camp in Arizona, the dining hall had signs around the walls with moralistic adages. One was "Just because there's one in every crowd, it doesn't have to be you." I always wondered if they put that up there just for me.

Jg

Brad,

I haven't done any testing other than coming home. I'm anxious to get the darn cowl flaps latch fixed and go to whatever altitude will let me pull 75% power to get max cruise capability.
I was keeping my fingers crossed for 155 knots. I'll get 150 for sure.

Before the wheel pants, it simply wouldn't stall; just mush along with the ASI sitting on 40 or so. You have really got to come over and fly her though. Then start looking for a Skywagon.

Jg