BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Jun 2025, 07:14

Username Protected wrote:

I don't think it's the trim wheel.

You might give the wheel assembly a look. Sudden, one-way travel on the trim happened to me one time. Slight spalling on one of the stop catches (spring loaded ball/detents). I mean very, very slight and it prevented the wheel from moving one way. Quick smoothing of the ball...back in action, never to have happened again.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Jun 2025, 08:06

Can you trim full nose down and take the upper and lower tail side covers off?

The actuators should be visible. Then lift the boots to take a look.
You can reach the actuator top bolts and disconnect with the horizontal tail held up with some foam blocks. It will give you a bit more room. Creative use of extensions and universal sockets.

Check the bushings that go across the fittings where the mounting bolts are. They are drilled a bit off center to allow for differences during installation. Maybe seized on the bolts?

once disconnected you can turn the actuators by hand but count the turns to not lose the current rigging.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Jun 2025, 23:07

Username Protected wrote:

Josh: Thank you for your information. I do not wish to monopolize this thread, but I do think that the viewpoints and experiences forwarded are of interest to all the participants.
We all will be looking forward to your experience with the composite Voyager. For now, I will continue to operate my McCauley, as it has given great performance. I see a lot of speed claims on this and the 182 thread, so I will refrain from posting any that may appear exaggerations.
One of the things I particularly like about my setup is the rounded and classic in appearance spinner. I got it field approved years ago, and it came from a NOS early Bellanca Viking. I think that it complements the lines of the early 180's well.
It's getting pretty hot in West Texas, and I am beginning to dream about Johnson Creek and the Skywagon folk headed there later this Summer. Let me know if you are going.
Best,

Tom

Tom,

I spoke with Sarah this afternoon. She test flew her whole new setup today for the first time. She reported the takeoff/climb and cruise performance to be spectacular but her prior set up was an O470 with a Mac two blade. Now she has a Pponk/Composite Voyager - so difficult to know what gave her the biggest bang for the buck. Likely the 470-50 engine. I will fly it with her in the next few weeks and make a side by side comparison with my 78 inch Hartzell/TS O520 UTS.. Everyone is interested in the performance gains of the Voyager - especially the composite. I plan to be very scientific about it and likely post some scientific comparisons once it is on my airplane - takeoff roll, time to climb to 10000 feet and cruise speeds using 4 way speed courses. I will put it up on my Youtube Channel. I don't plan on pulling the trigger for several months on the Voyager. Got stop spending so much money on airplanes -

.

I should be at 3U2 for the Johnson Creek Skywagon Flyin. Would love to meet all of the Skywagon BTers out there. It's a short flight for me.

Username Protected

Thank you, Josh.
I look forward to your reports.
I have never met your friend with the new 470-50 conversion, but I am sure that she will be delighted.
Best,

Tom

Flying the Skywagon