Exciting Spotlight On The EAA Biplane – A Progress Report

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” – Edward Everett Hale

This will be the fortieth post I have written to put a Spotlight On The EAA Biplane I am helping to build.  Several of those posts have been progress reports.   This is yet another.  Previous postslocated here:  Biplane updates.  These posts contain the backstory of this project.

Earlier this year, I made the leap and purchased an engine package providing everything needed forward of the firewall to power this baby.  The next phase of this project loomed on the horizon since we have been closing in on finishing the lower wings, where the ailerons are located.  These necessary components have added some complexity due to their need to move freely for the airplane to turn in flight.

Over the past couple of weeks, as we continued work on the fourth and last wing, we pulled the partially constructed fuselage out of the corner to begin assessing its state.  We dry-fitted the landing gear, dug out the brakes and wheel hubs my dad had on hand, and took photos of all the welds.

One of the ailerons was successfully attached to the wing and is now moving correctly.  An acetylene welding rig appeared on loan for our use.  I began shopping for emory paper, grinding wheels, and other metal working supplies.  This will enable us to clean up the fuselage and add bits and pieces my father had not yet gotten to.

On our shortlist to do:

  • Blast and epoxy prime the hardware for this last wing
  • install the hardware and true up the wing
  • begin cleaning the locations to weld additional brackets to the fuselage, then tack those in place
  • Fit me to the airplane!

Spotlight On The EAA BiplaneSpotlight On The EAA Biplane – A Custom Fit

This latter point required we mark where the rudder pedals must move to.  My dad had set the rudder pedals for his 5’10 or so inches.  My height is 6″ shorter, thus the rudder pedals must change locations.

You see, this will be an acrobatically capable airplane.  Generally, in this type of airplane, the seats are not adjustable but rather secured in place.   One does not want the seat to give way when performing aerobatics.  Now, this pilot will not be doing anything extreme, but others may.

So for the first time, I climbed up and over into the fuselage frame and sat on a temporary seat to measure the new rudder location.  I am unsure if Daddy ever did this, but I would not be surprised.

As I sat there, I realized how small this plane really is.  Smaller than my Aircoupe.  This is going to be a LOT of fun.

Questions?  Comments?  See below or email me at: nhcullen@cfaith.com

 

I am a former air traffic controller, pilot, Aircoupe owner, married 42 years to a great guy. We live in a 125+ year old historic Victorian, enjoy cats, vintage anything, precious friends. My passion is Giving Lost Stories A Voice – Giving Found Materials Fresh Form and Purpose!

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