Member Benefits
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October 18 When we launched the Catch-A-Cardinal sweepstakes project on January 1 of this year, I opened my Inbox to find your e-mails — from nearly the moment we posted the first story. You've been following the refurbishment of the 1977 Cessna Cardinal with great interest, and you've asked some great questions along the way. I'm going to share some of your fellow members' e-mails from the last 40 weeks (has it been that long?) so that you can learn more about your airplane. Hello from a new member. I missed the memo about how you chose the N number for the Cardinal. Is this from someone's name? — John Typically we choose a new registration number for the sweepstakes airplane, something that ties the project to the airplane and makes it special. I struggled with a good new N number for N18729 — it seems that most Cardinal owners have already reserved many variations on "N177," leaving me with but a few to choose from, and none that made sense for the project. So we hit upon N778RD — the airplane is a 1977 model, hence the "77." If you imagine the "8" to be a "B," you can read "8RD" as "bird." Meet our '77 Bird. Of course, if Richard Davis, or Renee Dawson wins, he or she will be a happy winner, indeed. We recently purchased a Cardinal 177B that needs to be repainted and brought back to life. We were on your Web ste and saw the Catch-A-Cardinal "pick the paint" contest, and fell in love with picture D. Would you be able to provide us with the paint scheme? — John and Teri We have worked with Craig Barnett, of Scheme Designers, in creating the paint schemes for sweepstakes airplanes over the past several years. Much work goes into the creation of each scheme and the details required to execute it precisely. Barnett has donated this service to AOPA, and we encourage you to contact him for information on using variations on the schemes. Other members have asked where the inspiration for the cardinal on the tail has come from — Barnett took a close-up view of the original Cessna Cardinal logo to create the striking bird on the tail of N778RD. The Cardinal seems like a great choice for a giveaway, but why not upgrade to 200 horsepower? — Tony The 1968 Cessna Cardinal came with a 150-horsepower engine; subsequent fixed-gear models were delivered with 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360 engines, while the 177RG came with a 200-horsepower engine. Though supplemental type certificates exist for the 200-hp engine to be installed in the fixed-gear Cardinal, we decided that a better option existed. Rather than grapple with an engine STC, we chose to install a Power Flow Systems tuned exhaust, which promised to capture more horsepower from the type-certificated engine. Early signs show an improvement in climb rates as a result. I also fielded questions on installing a diesel engine (the process would take years), or a three-bladed prop (a slight performance loss to balance the good looks and quieter noise footprint). Neither fit into the program. I read with anticipation the number of sweepstakes projects from procurement to finished product, and I've always wondered where does the money come from? How much of the parts, physical labor, and ferry fees are donated? — Paul The sweepstakes airplane serves as a major membership drive for AOPA, as well as giving us an opportunity to explore a wide variety of new technologies and products and services for GA aircraft and report on them in our publications. The acquisition of the sweepstakes airplane is paid for out of AOPA's departmental budgets; the companies and AOPA members who produce them donate a great percentage of parts and labor for the finished product. That amount varies from year to year, but generally we more than equal the AOPA investment with donations to the project. I'm curious. Does the stabilator have the slot along the entire leading edge to improve lift on the bottom for better landings? — Lyle The Cardinal is a unique aircraft among single-engine piston Cessnas and shares more commonality with the 210 than with the 172 or 182. The 1968 models did not have the slot on the stabilator; as a result a pronounced nose drop was possible on landing as airflow detached from the underside of the stabilator at low speeds (primarily with the aircraft at forward CG and with full flaps). The slot was a fix to '68 models in the field as part of series of 23 upgrades to the airplane. Production models from 1969 forward also featured the slot, which kept airflow attached to the lower surface of the stabilator and improved low-speed handling. Can you point me to any articles written about the Cardinal that comment on the plane, its handling characteristics, safety, etc.? — Dean For more information on the Cessna Cardinal: It's wonderful that AOPA has chosen my favorite Cessna to refurbish; I own a 1971 Cardinal FG. One important point is the fuel caps on these Cardinals — they must be changed. — John The Cardinal we purchased came to us with the stock fuel caps. Though the fuel tanks have been resealed, we also plan an upgrade, replacing the standard flush caps with Monarch umbrella caps. These caps do not allow water to collect around them, and aid in preventing water from entering the fuel tanks. I'm a new member of AOPA and thus not terribly familiar with projects of this sort. Is there any way that a member can go to the repair sites to see how it is going and perhaps even assist any? — Joe Over the course of the year, we've displayed the Cardinal as much as possible to give members an opportunity to see it during its various stages. For liability and coordination reasons, we must restrict work on the airplane to those contractors assigned to the airplane — though we appreciate your support! I have been a member of AOPA for some time. I just renewed my membership and found out about the giveaway of the Cardinal and looked at all the pictures. I have been flying for about four years now. I thought to myself if there is a god let it be my turn! I have never won a thing in my 50 years. Please advise me when it will be announced. — Jim The drawing for the sweepstakes takes place in mid January 2008, and we'll announce the winner sometime in February or March. Any person who joins or renews their membership in 2007 is eligible to win. Best of luck to you! E-mail the author at julie.boatman@aopa.org. |
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Honeywell has placed renewed emphasis on the Bendix/King heritage with announcements this past summer of a new line of primary and multifunction displays for light GA aircraft, the Apex Edge series, which includes the KMD 850 and the KSN 770. We've installed one of Bendix/King's most reliable and enduring products, the KI 525 HSI and KCS 55 remote compass system in your Cardinal. Call 800/601-3099; visit the Web site. |
