?Flash? first flew on Sept 17, 2002 with test pilot and good friend Jay Pratt at the controls. Construction began Jan 1, 1997. It is an older ?standard? kit, with the builder drilling every hole in the fuse kit and all the ribs of the wing kit (skins were drilled). I assembled and riveted the spar together. The paint scheme is modeled after a T-37 'Tweet'.
Ed Hicks photo.
The first engine/prop combination was a 160hp Lyc O-320D2J rebuilt by the famous-in-RV-circles Bob Brashear and a Sensenich prop. In 2004 a 180hp ECi ?KitEngine? and Hartzell blended airfoil prop was hung on. Noticeable change! Below you can clearly see the Vetterman exhaust system.
DAR: Mel Asberry
Transition Trainer: Alex DeDominicis
The panel has been through many changes. The original A/H was replaced with a Dynon, then a Tru Trak ADI. The original Navaid T/C was replaced by a Trio, then a Tru Trak Pictoral pilot. Altitude hold is taken care of by a TruTrak 'Altrak' (see the ALT button below the Pictoral Pilot). I can't seem to stop fiddling with it
.
Most recent panel shot:
http://www.vansairforce.net/N617ARVirtualTour/ADI_panel.jpg
The panel circa Jan 2006. Now the Dynon is on the passenger side and there is a TruTrak ADI in it's place:
In the near future I'll be installing a Garmin 296/396/496 to replace a broken GX-60 and will move the throttle assembly over to the left side. I also will create a new 'sub panel' for the passenger side - making the Dynon flush with the RMI engine monitor and better balancing out the other instruments over there.
I?d like to thank my wife, Mother, Father (who passed away during the construction) and friends for believing in me and my dream. This hobby has enriched my life in more ways than I can count.
A more detailed virtual tour of 'Flash' can be found at http://www.vansairforce.net/virtual_tour_n617ar.htm . I'll keep this post updated with the latest information on N617AR.
6/25/08: Updated panel shot: http://www.vansairforce.net/_IFR/images/IMG_3158.jpg
Doug
Ed Hicks photo.
The first engine/prop combination was a 160hp Lyc O-320D2J rebuilt by the famous-in-RV-circles Bob Brashear and a Sensenich prop. In 2004 a 180hp ECi ?KitEngine? and Hartzell blended airfoil prop was hung on. Noticeable change! Below you can clearly see the Vetterman exhaust system.
DAR: Mel Asberry
Transition Trainer: Alex DeDominicis
The panel has been through many changes. The original A/H was replaced with a Dynon, then a Tru Trak ADI. The original Navaid T/C was replaced by a Trio, then a Tru Trak Pictoral pilot. Altitude hold is taken care of by a TruTrak 'Altrak' (see the ALT button below the Pictoral Pilot). I can't seem to stop fiddling with it
.Most recent panel shot:
http://www.vansairforce.net/N617ARVirtualTour/ADI_panel.jpg
The panel circa Jan 2006. Now the Dynon is on the passenger side and there is a TruTrak ADI in it's place:
In the near future I'll be installing a Garmin 296/396/496 to replace a broken GX-60 and will move the throttle assembly over to the left side. I also will create a new 'sub panel' for the passenger side - making the Dynon flush with the RMI engine monitor and better balancing out the other instruments over there.
I?d like to thank my wife, Mother, Father (who passed away during the construction) and friends for believing in me and my dream. This hobby has enriched my life in more ways than I can count.
A more detailed virtual tour of 'Flash' can be found at http://www.vansairforce.net/virtual_tour_n617ar.htm . I'll keep this post updated with the latest information on N617AR.
6/25/08: Updated panel shot: http://www.vansairforce.net/_IFR/images/IMG_3158.jpg
Doug
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