Gary Underland, Medford, MN
RV-8A, N68AY, First flight October 20, 2006
Here is a picture of my RV-8A after I finished
the painting. I first flew it in late Oct.of 2006. This airplane
was badly damaged in a moderate speed taxi test when it was
completed and ready for flight test. The insurance co. totaled it
and sold it on bid. The new owner then took all usable parts that
he could use on another incomplete project and put the remains in
the corner of his hangar in Arizona. I went to Arizona in Feb ,05
and hauled it home.
So what I started with was a badly damaged prebuilt mess. Anyone
that knows me will confirm that I have done a lot of that kind of
work and actually thrive on it. Because of the nosewheel being the
cause of this accident ( and many more), I made 3 mods to it to
avoid another nosewheel incident.
I built a new Lyc. 0-360, installed a new Hartzell, a Garmin com
and transponder, and Dynon D-180. The panel is minimal. Some of my
other mods include front seat heel risers, re-floored the rear seat
heel areas, built my own design rear throttle and rudder pedals
with brakes, moved both front and rear seat hinges about 2 inches
aft, made a rear baggage ballast container to help with the nose
wheel weight (problem) when solo. I also made several other small
mods. I want to say every mod that I have made, I am happy with and
would be glad to talk to anyone that is interested.
I have been a CFI since 1963 so I do really like the rear seat if I
can trust the front seater to do what I tell him. I do not know how
long I will keep it. I have sold my RV-6 and Cessna 180. I still
have a much modified, (in 1972) Piper J-3 which I will never sell.
Fixin' and flying are still my life's
entertainment.
