Something old, something new...

Well, this week we got some good things accomplished, but also didn't get as much done as we were hoping. Isn't that always the case, though?! Nate K. got the nose gear installed, even after running into some holdup just about everyday. Liz did some good cleaning of part and got the new tie down installed in the tail with its specially fabricated doubler. Nice job, Liz. I spent the week learning how to install the Flint wing tip fuel tanks and the associated pumps, plumbing, etc. If you remember back to N827DG, Caleb and Brandon did those; well, Caleb is in Sudan for who knows how long and Brandon is back living in the States. So, I'm doing it this time around, although I didn't get any pictures of that...maybe next week. Anyways, we're working hard and trying to keep moving forward. We're hoping this next week to finish installation of the main landing gear, the wing tip tanks, and to begin starting get the wings and the flight controls ready for paint.

We'll see how it goes...in the mean time, here's some pictures.



Nate K. getting the nose gear ready to install. This plane was being used in Florida as basically a corporate taxi (carried the boss men of a company). It had the standard Cessna nose gear which includes a standard nose fork and wheel assembly. At AIM AIR, we remove those and install a heavy duty nose fork and a bigger, stronger wheel assembly. This is due to the nature of our flying into very unimproved airstrips.

Here's Ryan Williams (left) hoisting the nose gear into position while Nate K. (right, the tan pant legs) is installing the bolts to hold it in place.

And here it is, a newly installed nose gear assembly, minus the wheel assembly. Notice the nice big access panel made possible through MAF's engineering department.

Ryan giving some instruction to Liz on how to install the new tail tie down. They both went to LeTourneau University in Texas. Pray for Liz as she finishes her ministry here at AIM AIR in the next few weeks and heads back to the States and eventually Alaska, where she wants to pursue a pilot career. I think we might have scared the mechanic out of her. :-)

And here I am helping Liz rivet the doubler in place. Actually, there's the tie down sitting on top of the tail.