dlevi

The guy I bought it from had rescued it from a barn with the intent of stripping the engine and instruments from it to put on a plane he was building. He flew it first though and found he couldn't bare to strip it. So I bought it. It needed a lot of love. The instrument panel was holding on with only velcro. ( It wasn't holding too well either). The airframe was solid though. It had an old rotax 447 that seemed to be in pretty good shape with an older type B box and a 60 inch wood prop. I was taking lessons from a BFI at the time and was looking forward to having my own plane. I had no experience in working on a plane. I also didn't know anyone at the time to learn from.

I was ready to solo my instructor's Challenger 2 when September 11th happened. We were grounded for two weeks of the best weather I have ever seen for flying. After September 11th, I was not able to solo because the weather stopped cooperating for the year. The long process of self education began. During the Winter I tinkered with the 606 in my garage. I removed everything but the skin, (didn't want to get in too deep). The landing gear was removed and put in the raw materials bin for spare parts. I ordered a new set of landing gear from Fisher and built it on the bench. After I installed the new landing gear, wheels, tires and brakes. I was impressed with the difference it made in the looks of the little plane. I became inspired! This was going to be a great pane!

In early spring, I rolled it out into the driveway and started it up. I found I needed a carburator and a new throttle. Spring came late in Michigan this year. The project stopped there while I waited for my hangar to become available. It was supposed to be available in April, but I had to park in a temporary hangar with no lights or power, and a dirt floor until late August. While I was in the temporary hangar, I taxied the 606. Since I am not experienced in flying a taildragger, I decided to add the nose gear. I replaced the fuel pump for good measure. I don't know how old the other one was. I finally moved to my present hanger. It was in the Fall of 2002 when it was time to test fly it. I soloed in June in my instructor's plane and proptly bought another used plane to tinker with and fly. My instructor came by on a bit of a windy day, and flew the 606 for me. He said it flew great, but the rpm was maxing out at 5800 on the 447. It still had the original gas in the tank that came with the plane. It must be a pretty good engine if it can run that well on funiture polish. I put the wings on my other plane and flew it for the last few days of good weather that was left. I have drained the old gas from the 606 and put it away for the Winter. I am looking forward to this Spring when I will fly the 606 on real fuel and finish my restoration. The skin should be replaced. There are a few spots of duct tape that also came with it. New windows, paint, and a fuel gauge are on the horizon before next Fall as well. Maybe I will add some wheel pants!