Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Gonna bring it to Sedona? Looks like yer really close to finishing... Les

Les, You know the timeline. Close - yes, but not enough time to get 'done', have a DAR sign it off and get phase one flown off before Sedona's Dates. I've been party to some discussions about another Sedona "Fall Gathering". That I think I can do. I'll start looking at the 3rd or 4th weekend of September. Any later than that and Utah weather gets changable.

Now - Status on TH. The first part of the year has shown really good progress on getting towards 'Done'. Last weekend all electrical systems were checked. Comm radios and headset panel work as it's supposed to. Today I placed the fuel tank on the cradle only to find that the door on the fuel tank filler won't close. Back to fabricating a new door. I should get the windshield installed tomorrow. I ran into a small fitment issue with the throttle quadrant. Also back to fabricate status.

Last week ended with the final installation of the fuel tank, instrument panel and windshield.
It's down to final fiberglass fairings, double check all the fuel fittings, torque seal and set the travel on the throttle quadrant.
I'm in the process of getting a DAR scheduled for just after Sun N Fun.

Final disassembly over the weekend so that the airplane could be moved to the house. Cause? Our current hangars are being demolished and the replacement ones not ready until September. In the meantime, April should bring completion on the final handful of items remaining in order to get a DAR to issue my airworthiness certificate. Planning on that happening by the end of April.



For now, it’s enjoying the home in home built.

Looks like the trailer works fine.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

The new fuel cover is done and in place. It's reinforced so that one camloc should keep it secure


All the plastic wrap is now off the canopy in order to do final attachment of the outer aluminum trim strips.

Ah, this is where the hard work pays off. The DAR has availability on May 3. Paperwork has been started with the FAA and I have an advance copy of the operating limits.
The rest of the timeline-
Move the airplane to KCEW ( an 8000 ft paved runway) for reassembly.
After assembly, it gets weighed and it’s pitot/static inspection done.

May 3rd - fingers crossed....airworthiness cert issued.
First flight - TBA

218TH got weighed today. I was very pleased with the number- 895 empty. The pitot static check was accomplished today as well. The DAR is scheduled to inspect and hopefully grant an airworthiness cert on Friday

Good luck for Friday! Nice and light, will go like a rocket.
Cheers
Tony Schischka
ZK-VMS
T18C

Good Luck Terry! I cant wait to hear about your performance reports at such a great weigh in.

Sooo- I get a message to see if we can move up the inspection a day. Sure, I say.
Here’s the brand new airworthiness cert. for N218TH. It’s now officially an airplane and Lee can update the Thorp Map to show 1 more Thorp.
Next hurdle to schedule.....First Flight

Way to go Terry!

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Congrats! Gotta be a great feeling.

Good job ! Whatever you do , do NOT lose the original AW Cert . !! They do not take copies and trying to get another AW cert is a real pain in the ass ! They are controlled documents . >:(

RB

Awesome Terry!!....and I bet having the DARs wife call you with his wardrobe selection didn't hurt either.....

_________________
Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Draper, UT