Currently looking at some instructors to step up and take on the leadership role on the pup project. More on this as it develops….
Recruiting new leadership
February 7th, 2010Snow
February 5th, 2010Had to cancel Weekend WWI build because of Possible 2 feet of snow. The WWI airplane spirits are working against us again.
Pics for the previous posting
February 4th, 2010
Some exciting progress!
February 4th, 2010Things are starting to pick up again on the Nieuport 11 project. Steve Barrick and Mark Overpeck have been making progress with the landing gear. The landing gear is assembled, and temporarily aligned, waiting on engine mount before we can make final attatchments. Accessories to landing gear are being built, and will soon be installed. Brake assemblies are here, and will also be attatched very soon. Matt Sundstrom and Carl Hudson have been diligently working on the lower right wing, have dry-fit the ribs to the spar, and have been fabricating the false ribs as well. Monday they plan on fabricating the main wing ribs as well. All lower wing ribs are done, waiting on the false ribs to be finished as well. Steve Baucum has preassembled the engine to the frame to ensure all parts are accounted for, which they are. The engine has been preserved until assembly, and will be awaiting the arrival of the mount. So far, a productive past couple of weeks! One more thing, our January graduating class was very proud to show a static display of the Nieuport 11 during graduation, pics are on display! Congrats to all graduates!
Regained focus
February 1st, 2010After much anticipation, pup project is back on-line. More post to come……
AIM Philly Nieuport 17
January 21st, 2010Unfortunately we have made no significant progress in our aircraft. With no space in the hangar for the project and the project in a conex box the set up time on a normal day is inhibiting any real progress. Once the new hangar is finished in July we maybe able to get some dedicated space for the project and make some significant progress. We have made a some progress in our flight controls. The one instructor that was volunteering his time had almost completed the elevators before he departed the pattern.
Making Side Formers
January 18th, 2010Lance Cordell and Christopher Herring are new team members. They are in the process of filing and sanding the formers. This process requires sanding with coarse grit sand paper then moving to a finer grit and it continues until a smooth finish is achieved.
Arthur Mitchell just finished his assigned task that included drilling several side formers. He is logging his accomplishment, which is a requirement for all students upon completion of their tasks. Arthur is also one of our new Nieuport team members. He started in November and is really excited about being a part of the Nieuport build team. Although he is retired military with aviation experience, he decided to continue his career by enrolling into our school after receiving a brochure in the mail. The information in the brochure really peaked his interest so he called the school and asked for a tour. He met with an Admission Officer who told him about a list of items that were offered; job placement, perfect attendance award programs as well as the Nieuport project. Attending school and having an opportunity to help build an aircraft is something that Arthur knew would broaden his aviation knowledge.
Resuming work on the Nieuport 11
January 15th, 2010 Well, we have finally made it through Christmas break, just finished our finals for the block on Thursday, and we’re all ready to resume our work on the Nieuport 11.
Today, we were working through some adjustments with the main landing gear, pilots seat, and diligently working through the lower wing assembly. We also had some rearranging to do in the Nieuport room before anything else could get started.
Within the next few school days, we will upload some current photos of the Nieuport’s progress. Once again, we would like to thank everyone for their help on this project.
January 15th, 2010
Stabilizer rib construction jig
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Completed wing ribs, only 50 or so more to build.
[/caption][Construction of the Strutter continues. Due to the Holidays and the extreme cold weather we have experienced here in the South, work has been a little slow on the project, though many small parts are still being made. The Horizontal stabilizers many wood parts are being built at this time. We are waiting for the drawings of the metal parts to be completed and then we can start manufacturing the parts and assembling the stabilizer.
A Few of The New Faces on the Nieuport 11 Project Indy
November 6th, 2009
