Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I'm getting old, I see you told em....Dan

831 pounds?!?!?! English??? Wow. Thats got to be the lightest Thorp around. Whats it powered by?
Congrats on building such a fine, light plane. Cant wait to see it

Eric Smithhenry's Thorp Weighed in at 813 ... powered by a 0-290. The most docile flying Thorp I've ever been in. You done well Dean! That's going to be a great flying airplane!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Just finished up the wheel pants and leg fairings. The project is now complete and ready to fly. Tomorrow morning at 11am in my driveway the inspector from the flight standards FAA office will be looking over N772DM. If all goes well, I will have my airworthiness cert in hand and then be relocating the T18 from my garage to KVIS.

Another Thorp is taking to the skies.

Wish me luck

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

Outstanding Dean!! Let us know how it goes!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

VERY IMPRESSIVE DEAN!!!

Great job Dean! Fine work there!!!

I received my Airworthiness & airman repair certificate yesterday with no problems. The whole process took about 45 minutes. I had got myself all worked up for the inspection and was relieved to find out how simple it really was.

I am getting the pitot/static checked out and calibrated today, then it is off to the blue skies.

I want to thank everyone on the forum for their input over the past 18 months. Your keen help contributed to my ability to get this project finished so quickly.

I also want to send out a GREAT BIG thank you to Dan Eggleston. Without him this project would have been a bust. THANKS DAN

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

Congrats! I would like to hear some detail on the process of the 45 mins... As one day I will be going thru the same thing.

Now we have 3 thorps at KVIS, Good job Deno!!!! Congrats!!! Dan

Not exactly how long my sign off inspection was, but it was no longer than 45 minutes. I think the big key to the sign off is when it comes to the A/C portion FWF. The inspector can tell right away if you have you ducks in a row by the way it has been put together. For example...the carb has washers on the outside of the rod ends to keep the rod end from falling off should the bearing fail. Fire sleeving of the fuel and oil lines (secured with SS zip ties) and the use of RTV on the ends of the fire sleeve. Proper firewall thru fittings for the engine controls etc. Use of adel clamps to secure lines and wiring. I had all the panels open for inspection (under wing, tail, hinged cowl cheeks). Be sure the A/C is clean ! Both inside and out. Leave NO FOD in the A/C ! By that I mean shavings, cut wire, washers, etc. Be prepared to start the engine. Good thing I checked the battery before he came as it was low and I charged it and ran the engine before his arrival.

I also had my avionics manual, engine log from Aero Sport Power AND my builder log from 27 years and he looked at none of it ? Not to say your DAR won't want to look at those Doc's, just be prepared ! If you OVER prepare you will probably not have any problems. Above all, as with any FAA inspection or test...do NOT volunteer any information.

Have ALL your required paperwork on hand. DOT the I's and CROSS the T's ! The EAA has an excellent package that will walk you thru the whole paperwork process. The entire kit is about $12.00 ?

RB

I had 575DG inspected in my driveway like Dean, all the paperwork and photos and such was on the work bench for easy review. He looked at the Tail, looked in the cockpit, looked under the left cowl cheek and said he seen all he needed to see. Walked over to the workbench and signed the paperwork, we spent the next hour in a couple of lawn chairs drinkin sweet tea and having good conversation. If you are prepared and it is very obvious that you are, Rich is right, the inspection is over basically befor it starts and all will be well.........Dan

Took N772DM for it's maiden flight this morning. climbed up to 3500' and circled the airport for about 20 minutes and the rested her back on the terra firma. I would say that it's first flight was a success.

I had a couple of issues that I will need to deal with this week, but all in all everything went well.

At 3500' flight level (no wind) I was able to obtain a consistent cruise of 152 MPH @ 2300 RPM. I would have to say that isn't too bad at all for an O-290. I think I am going to like this Catto prop.

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

BADA BING, BADA BOOM ! Safely back on Earth ! Well done !

RB

Dog gone right it went well, I was there and saw it all. Congrats to Dean and Melonie they have a fine ship.................I need to find another project and someone to build it, I think KVIS needs about a dozen of these Thorps hangin around all the time, I think KVIS would be an even nicer place than it is now with 3 on the field. Dan