New addition to D.A.'s Hangar

[D.A.]

My new ride. It was stored in a garage in Las Vegas since the early 70's, probably when the original fabric finally gave up the ghost. A friend of mine bought it and restored it 2 years ago. Stripped down to absolute bare bones, it weighed 856 empty when it was first done. It weighs 886 now. Alaska 2025, here I come!!! LOL

 

[D.A.]

How do you build a light weight airplane? Don't put anything in it or on it and then drill holes in everything else - LOL

 

[TurboBeaver]

Wow. Never heard tell of a Cruiser that light ???? That less than alot of PA 11's.
You got yourself a very unique bird there, it's close to 200lbs lighter than 99% of the ones we have ever weighed ??
Congratulations
E

 

[KevinJ]

Is it an O-235? With a metal prop and spinner, that weight is impressive. Does it have a starter or electrical system?

 

[courierguy]

I lost sleep overnight, thinking about the stainless butt joint muffler clamp, that arrived late yesterday, for my re-installation of a Swiss Muffler on my S-7, that turns out to weigh 7 ozs.! 20" forward of the firewall no less...., I'm wracking my brain to see what I can get rid of to make up for that much weight that far forward.
My rural mountain area, that I've been flying out of for 40+ years, has been "discovered," and the Swiss muffler re-install is part of my pre-emptive noise abatement policy, that and deaparture and arrival flaght path changes, but 7 ozs.!! 6-7 pounds more all up, but most of that on the CG.

 

[KevinJ]

I feel your pain. I was comparing weights on whiskey compasses. .58 lbs to check a box on the equipment list.

 

[D.A.]

that weight is impressive.

The guy that restored it is known to be obsessed with weight reduction. Everything he touches he figures out how to make it lighter or simply remove it. He's well respected and I trust him completely. Maybe I'll weigh it on the next annual and post pictures of the scales - LOL. That being said, even if it's 1886 Empty, I'm still happy with it and feel fortunate to have it. It gives me something cool to fly while still working on the EXP Super Cub project.