April 23, 2011 Saturday Before Easter

Went to the airport today for the first time this year. The Jetwing is largely untouched since October, when the weather turned cold and has stayed so until the past couple of weeks. It’s still cold and rainy, but tomorrowed is promised to be sunny with highs in the mid-60’s. So it’s beginning to look a lot like Spring, and flying weather.
My goal today was to make some progress with the wheels and try to get the motor mounted. It’s been a frustrating experience to try to get the wheels either fixed or replaced. Most of the problem has been with the hubs, which on the old plastic wheels were worn to the point that the bushings were loose, resulting in wobbly wheels. But I could not find any replacement wheels that would accommodate the brass bushings with 1” axle diameter, which was what is compatible with the axles.
Finally, I am resigned to replace the axles, and so I ordered and received new 16” wheels with 5/8” axles. The old 1” axles are tubular aluminum, and I want the new 5/8” axles to be hardened steel, so I’ll have to find a machine shop that can make that modification for me.
So my goal today was to take out the old axle sleeves so I can take them to the machinist. I’m always unsure of whether or not things like this will happen easily, i.e., the old axles might be bent or binding and would not come out easily, but viola, they came out easily.
I also needed to take the nose wheel axle out and put in the two spacers that I had neglected to replace earlier, another adventure that I was unsure would happen easily, but success here also.
The only other thing I wanted to do on a time-available basis was to try to mount the motor. I knew with my weakened physical abilities since the accident I would not be able to hold the motor up by myself and mount it on the support tubes, but I thought I might be able to set it on the ground on the prop and lift the Jetwing 90 degrees to line up with the mounting holes. I was dubious of the chances of this working, but amazingly I was able to get the motor mounted, including the upper engine support cables and all four mounting bolts. They are just in finger-tight, but after restoring it to its 3-point stance, I can work with each mounting bolt individually and get the engine mounted properly and start to connect the fuel/air lines and the throttle cable. That will result in the Jetwing being closer to operational, and perhaps I’ll be flying this year!
So all went well today, and I’m pleased with the progress.
And most importantly, Praise God for the resurrection of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in whom I trust and hope.