New to me 7GCBC and needed advice

J

jhastings

New member
Hi, just got picked up our new to us 73' GCBC and got home from a cross the US flight from Columbus, OH to California. Plane did well, but we need some advice on repairs and mods. I searched the forums and I'm sure there is info on all of these, but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. A little background on the plane. 5300TT, 250 SMOH on 150HP Lycoming, 6.00x6 tires, heel brakes front and rear.

1. The existing Maule tailwheel does not steer at all and we have decided to get a Scott 3200. Question is, how do we do it and where do we get it? We would like to save $$ if possible and would consider a used one if anybody has one. Do we need an STC?

2. The partner in the plane and I decided to switch to toe brakes as we also fly a Cessna. Once again, how do we do it and where can we get them? Used available?

3. Battery is on its way out. I have heard of remounting it on the firewall. Do we use a battery mount from another citabria? We would also like to maybe put a lighter battery in too? Advice on this.

4. Larger tires are also something that we would like. We use it on pavement also so we think that tundra tires are not for us and are also too much $$. We are thinking 8.50x6 tires. I think Northland aviation has this STC. Any advice?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for all the help.
 
The 3200 tailwheel is the probably the best choice. I really like mine. keep checking E-bay as the same thing is used on many a/c. I also had one on a cessna 140 I owned.
Wag Aero has the original cast aluminum pedals and other parts.
Ray
 
Get the ABW version of the Scott3200. Call Wup Winn or Bill Duncan.

http://www.akbushwheel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=83
 
If your going to use the plane for everyday use and non airbatics big tires are great, but you should be able to do everthing you want with 8.50's. No question the scott 3200 tail wheel is the best choice for tail wheels. Saw a used one for like $450, just watch Craigslist, and barnstromers, ect. I now have a gar aero tail wheel and it is great in sand and soft stuff but not necessary for most lower 48 flying(my thoughts, small tail wheel makes a good brake during landing on soft stuff and on take off just get your tail up, so tail wheel dont matter). The battery box relocation should be an easy job, but I have a great a&P/IA who can get stuff done, so no big deal to me(i love mine). The odessy battery and a light weight starter is also a great addition to any GCBC or any light plane. My 73 also has toe brakes and I strongly prefer them with cross controlled landings. You will love your plane, take care of it and it will take care of you. Not a decathalon and not a cub, but close enough to each to be the best all purpose tandom plane in opinion.

Terry
 
Ok here is the latest. Got a good used 3200 out of AK for $500 with a good 70% tread tire. It should be here soon.

I think our battery is pretty much toast and unfortunately I don't have a good A&P. Anybody have a recommendation on relocating the battery? Can I simply use a battery tray from another model Citabria? (Which One?)

Toe Brakes! Found them on Wag Aero and wow they are expensive. $1800 for the conversion. Is there any better way to go about it? used setups available?

Thanks for all the advice.

Jamie
 
First get yourself a good A&P/IA that will make a big difference. Second if you get a good annual like I do, the interior and floor is removed for inspection, instead of looking thru inspection holes. That would allow for removal of wiring and battery box and installation of wiring in a only a few extra hours of labor. The battery box on the firewall is easy and wiring is actually pretty simple. This year, I'm getting part of my metal bottom put on with the rest finished next year(would do entire bottom but metal shear is broke). My mech allows supervised assistance and it really allows you get to know you plane and the true time it takes to due a task(cause your there). As far as toe brakes goes, find some bone yards, people parting out planes, and a expensive as it sounds, check out buying a wrecked aircraft( parts are worth so much, from instruments, wheels, brakes, tail feather, ect. Seen decent wrecked planes go for a few grand minus firewall forward.
 
Thats good advice. We will have to do an annual this April. We are planning on doing owner assisted. As far as getting a good A&P, I'll have to do some hunting, but I'm sure there is a good one around.

Thanks,
Jamie
 
Jamie-

I second the advice to work with your A&P/IA, too often owners with good intentions and excellent mechanical skills make modifications that are unapproved not appreciating the difficult in obtaining a 337 or STC.

I suggest you spend the money on fuel instead of converting your heel brakes, I certainly prefer toe brakes but after you gain some experience you will find heel brakes are not a big deal. Similarly think about the type of flying you are going to do before you convert to larger tires, while there is no doubt that big tires can be very advantageous in some situations for most pilots the standard 6.00x6s are more than adequate. I live in PA and spend most of my time on grass (much of it very short, rough, and soft) and have not found an airport that I would not land at with my standard 6.00x6 tires and wheel pants. In the spring when it's too wet/soft for my tires and wheel pants it would be bad form to land at someone's airport and leave ruts.

Tom-
 
Tom, good advice.

My partner in the plane and I need to sit down and discuss what we plan to do with it. I would guess that once proficient, we will be using the plane to land on a few ranches where there are not runways per-say, but flat fields and what not. What we may decide to do is wear out the 6.00x6 that we have now and replace with bigger rubber down the road.

I am coming to find that many people prefer the heel brakes and with the price, I agree that that is a lot of gas and flying time that we could be doing. For now we will stay with the heel brakes.

Thanks,
Jamie
 
Jamie-

Spend the cost of the brake conversion learning to fly the plane well, lots of landings, find and land at as many grass strips as possible, find an EXPERIENCED conventional gear instructor if you aren't completely comfortable with conventional gear.. Many grass strips are nothing more than a reasonably flat grass field..................................often in PA they are neither flat, well groomed, nor rolled and firm. I have landed in farm fields that were much better than some licensed airports.

Tom-
 
Jamie-

If the fields are reasonably level I would suggest you consider going to 7.00X6 tires for a slight increase in flotation/footprint on soft surfaces.

Tom-
 
Great advice. I had my first lesson today in the plane from a well respected conventional gear instructor. Our tailwheel gave us some problems at the end of the day, but turned out to be a spring. We are flying tomorrow and I am hoping that the new to us Scott 3200 show sup soon.


Jamie
 
Jamie-

The Scott is a great tailwheel for aircraft with heavy tails such as the Citabria but a Maule should provide adequate service, both require proper internal maint. and lube, most steering problems are caused by sloppy steering springs.

If you are having steering problems I would expect that the leaf springs may also be sagging and possibly cause shimmy on landing.

It's very important that the tailwheel and spring bolts be tight, that there be a rubber shim between the leaf spring and the fuselage, I suggest replacement of all the bolts anytime you replace the spring because if there is any looseness it will cause shock loading and failure which will usually cause lower rudder damage.

Always inspect all four tailwheel/spring bolts on pre-flight.

Tom-
 
The Maule tailwheel grenaded today and its life is done. It was time for it to go. Everything was tight and springs were all good, but it needed a rebuild in the worst way and it finally gave up the ghost today when the steering arm on the tailwheel assembly broke in half. It has been giving us hell over the past few weeks with both pins breaking off and then spring clips breaking and then finally breaking today. We were really just trying to get by until out scott got here. Scott should be here in the next couple of days and then we are back in it. new spring kit too with the correct scott 3200 springs!

Good fun flying it today though.
 
I second the 7.00x6 tires as they fit into the wheel pants as well. I live on a grass strip in Ohio and the larger tire is good in the spring and late fall when the runway is a little soft.
 
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