N45658 Annual 2001 - Day 1

This diary of a Luscombe annual was graciously provided by Dave Cox. It offers a fascinating look at an annual that involved quite a bit of major interior work at the same time -- at a pace that is amazing, to say the least! --ed

My annual inspection has begun. After a 1-1/2 hour consult with my A&P/IA my daughter and I began the work. During this annual we are replacing the old instrument panel with a new one built by DLHAF. We will be removing the vacuum instrumentation as it is not functioning properly and is too old to have rebuilt and tagged. My A&P is suggesting I keep a turn and bank for a safety backup. Given his opinion I might go ahead and buy a new one to install. Our first quick overview has found plug wires breaking down and the boots for the induction tubes cracked. If possible I will get shielded wires for my Eismann magnetos and new plugs to go with them. That could help with some of the ignition noise I have.

At the end of the day we have completely gutted the interior including the baggage compartment. We have removed all fairings and inspection plates. Removed the cowling and windshield.

Tomorrow I plan on calling for the wires, boots, and turn and bank. In the evening my daughter Becca and I will work on removing wires and hoses from the existing instruments and begin drilling rivets to remove the old panel.

Day one of my first annual will go down as a good day. No big surprises or major hidden problems that I have noticed. As expected there is some hardware that will need replacement but all in all a very satisfying day. There is so much work yet ahead it is hard to sit back and relax with a feeling of satisfaction but still not a bad feeling.

Dave

Note: all photos can be clicked on for a larger view, which will open in a new browser window.

	This is a shot of the original instrument panel. The vacuum driven instruments do not function properly and are going to be removed during the annual. As part of the instrument removal I decided to replace the entire panel.
	After day one the interior was gutted and the windshield removed. All inspection plates and fairings have been removed.
	Cowling is history but the verturis have not yet been removed. I am still wrestling with whether to install a new turn and bank or to remove it. I can hold wings level with ball and compass but it is a real workload.
	With the baggage compartment removed access is improved somewhat to the tailcone. It looks like a long ways to the backthough!
	All fairings and inspection panels have been removed. She looks a little like a ragged grasshopper perched in my hanger.

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