“Take one step in the direction of your dreams and watch the Universe perform miracles to help you.” —Alexandra Domelle
Intimidating obstacles come along with any dream. Completing the EAA Biplane my father started came packaged with many intimidating obstacles:
First, it was my Dad’s project. My hero, the man I most wanted to please and live up to. I observed his ups and downs as he began and worked on the biplane. Taking up this legacy project carried both excitement and responsibility.
Second. I did not possess the skills to pick up this project on my own. I needed either to engage in a personal learning curve and/or to engage a team that did possess the needed experience and skills. There are wonderful resources available for the amateur homebuilder, The Experimental Aircraft Association’s main purpose is to provide resources and support for this very thing. Still, I was hesitant.
Third, my resources were limited. I did not have piles of cash to invest in this project and personal time was limited. I had to be realistic with this dream.
Fourth, Daddy was gone. This was to be a daughter-daddy project once I retired. When He passed on 10 years before that date, I did not know how to get past that reality.
Then came the breakthrough!
Overcome Intimidating Obstacles – The Journey
I have written several BLOGS about the resurrection of this project and its progress:
- The backstory
- The Long Walk
- Documentation
- Thinking Ahead
- Tools
- Five-Year Update
- The Powerplant Discovery
Intimidating Obstacles Continue To Fall
With every step forward, the issue of what engine or powerplant to purchase loomed closer and closer. As we began constructing the final wing, I knew I needed to locate and purchase this major component. You see, to begin work on the fuselage, we needed to know the engine to build to. It all has to do with the center of gravity, weight and balance, and other critical component installation.
In January 2024, one of my teammates found an engine package that fit all of the criteria. The package included everything forward of the firewall:
- A Lycoming O320 – with more than acceptable Total time and Time since overhaul, baffles, oil pickup, and exhaust system,
- yellow tagged carburetor, camshaft, and crankshaft
- A Sensech Wood Cruse Prop – with all components to mount
- Engine gauges
- Log books and an engine manual
- he even included the motor mount!
It Was Time…
After talking with the seller, having an oil test kit run, and doing other due diligence research, I put down a deposit. It was in Michigan, I am in Kansas.
So, in conjunction with with a trip to view the solar eclipse, my husband and I rented a van and headed to Michigan. The trip was a push, but all in all went well. We arrived home and my EAA teammates helped unload the engine and all its components. A video of the loading and unloading is visible here: BIPLANE ENGINE.
The Bottom Line
So how DO you dismantle intimidating obstacles? One step at a time.
Yes, you:
- have a vision, a dream, a destination
- have faith
- take expert counsel
- research and plan
Then you take that first step and the others will follow.
You Are Not Alone
Are there more obstacles ahead in this project? Probably, but in the end, a lot of people have built airplanes. Thousands. That gives me the courage to press forward.
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