A MAJOR ANNUAL
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NOTICE
THE SALE OF INFORMATION DOWNLOADED FROM THIS
In July of 2000 I purchased N5186K, a
1950 Ryan Navion A. After 50 years the poor thing had a leak in one of her fuel
tanks, so as soon as she got home she was "demated" (the fuselage was
removed from the wings, and the wings were separated). This is the right way
(and the hard way) to fix these leaks.
Demating
the fuselage and wings
Another
View
And Another
After pulling the
fuel tanks out, we found the hole:
Fuel
Tank Hole
The aluminum nipple on top of the fuel tank is a vent line, and it continues
inside the tank to the corner where the hole is located, where it was
originally spot welded. Fifty years of vibration caused the tank to fail at
that point, and the repair consisted of having a certified aircraft welder
reinforce and patch the weak area. Although the other tank wasn't leaking, it
was reinforced in the same area to preclude the same type of failure in the
future.
It took over 250
man-hours of labor to pull 5186K apart, remove all the tanks (there are four:
the two mains, an auxiliary, and an accumulator), repair, clean, alodine,
pressure test, and reinstall them. Along the way some other minor repairs were
made. Hoses, control cables, wheel bearings, propeller pitch thrust bearing,
propeller diaphragm, switches, root seals, avionics, oil sumps, fasteners, and
upholstery are some of the items that were replaced during this major
"annual inspection". 5186K is in superlative condition for her age;
the air frame is corrosion free and her hangared life, conscientious previous
owners, and original Navion engineering all contributed to her longevity.
And she's certainly not the only Navion out there.
Here's
A Few More
The age of these
planes can be appreciated by looking at 5186K's original instrument panel
Instrument
Panel
No standard "T" here!
For those of you with
AutoCad 12 (or above) capabilities, here's the files for 5186K's new panel
design
Panel
AutoCad (zip file; 0.044 MB)
Radio
Tray AutoCad (zip file; 0.006 MB)
If you're even thinking about a panel upgrade, grab these files! Any good
machine shop can use them to
And here's a photo of the newly completed and installed panel.
GUST LOCKS
There are all kinds
of gust locks, from the DIY to factory supplied. Ryan actually provided one,
and I’ve only seen a very grainy picture of the installation. The Drawing
Number is 154-89003, and its installation is covered by Special Instructions Number
21, dated
Gust_Lock
(jpg file; 0.359 MB)
Gust_Lock_Stowed (jpg file; ).356 MB)
THE MAJOR NAVION FILES
Here's a bunch of useful Navion files for download. Bear in mind that these may not be (and probably aren't) the latest versions of these documents. Use at your own risk! Some of these files are quite large (many megabytes), so some patience is required.
CONTINENTAL
ENGINES
E
Series Engines Parts Manual (pdf file; 2.696 MB)
E
Series Engines Operator's Manual (pdf file; 4.621 MB)
E
Series Engines Overhaul Manual (pdf file; 4.792 MB)
E-185
Type Certification (pdf file; 0.02 MB)
E-225
Type Certification (pdf file; 0.01 MB)
The type certification for the E-185 contains the legal justification for the
use of a Hartzell C-192 accessory "T" drive.
Confused by all the "T" drive stuff? See MORE
NAVION FILES for the real skinny!
NAVION
Service
Manual Part (pdf file; 55.346 MB)
Service
Bulletins Part 1 (zip file; 3.108 MB)
Service
Bulletins Part 2 (zip file; 2.349 MB)
Navion
Service Letters (pdf file; 3.841 MB)
Navion
Special Instructions (pdf file; 8.616 MB)
Navion
A-782 Type Certificate (pdf file; 0.497 MB)
Military
L-17 Pilot's Operating Handbook (pdf file; 4.838 MB)
Military
L-17 Service Manual (pdf file; 15.645 MB)
Military L-17 Erection and
Maintenance Manual (pdf file; 9.112 MB)
Ryan
205 Operation Manual - 1950 Edition (pdf file; 24.341 MB)
ANNUAL
INSPECTION CHECKLISTS
Annual
Checklist #1 (html file; 0.050 MB)
Annual
Checklist #2 (pdf file; 0.018 MB)
The first of these
is an HTML file, designed to be viewed (and printed) from a browser like the
one you're using right now. The second is a pdf file which may be easier for
some folks to print. Pick the one you prefer, and use it as a starting baseline
for annual inspections.
AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
Airworthiness
Directives (zip file; 0.129 MB)
This file unzips into
17 directories containing all of the Navion specific Airworthiness Directives
to date. It does not purport to be complete, and it DOES NOT include AD's for
appliances, as they would be far too numerous to list. The unzipped directories
contain the AD's in browser viewable (HTML) format.
THOMPSON
TF-1900
Fuel
Pump Manual (pdf file; 1.974 MB)
Fuel
Pump Service Bulletin (zip file; 1.661 MB)
When was the last time you replaced YOUR drive pin? Check out the vintage
Bonanza sites below for replacement parts.
BENDIX-STROMBERG
PS-5C CARBURETOR
Bendix
PS Series Manual Part 1 (pdf file; 2.617 MB)
Bendix
PS Series Manual Part 2 (pdf file; 3.424 MB)
Bendix
PS Series Carb Manual (pdf file; 12.812 MB)
Carburetor
Flow Chart (jpg file; 0.385 MB)
Oddly, this manual goes into great detail on adjusting this bullet-proof
carb, but it doesn't tell you which WAY to turn the idle mixture adjustment
screw! From experience, it's counterclockwise for rich, clockwise for lean. One
half turn is a lot.
HARTZELL PROPELLER
Hartzell
Manual (pdf file; 2.923 MB)
Hartzell
Prop Type Certificate (pdf file; 0.015 MB)
Hartzell_Prop_Manual_2010
(pdf file; 1.077 MB)
This
devil-spawned abortion of a prop is subject to a nasty and repetitive AD. In
fact, this prop drives a lot of Navion owners to replace their engines so they
can use a different propeller.
A
Letter from Hartzell re: The Big AD
And here's a Service Letter from
Hartzell to prevent the blade clamp bolts from chewing up your irreplaceable
spinner:
Blade
Clamp Bolt Service Letter ( jpg file; 0.336 MB)
Hartzell
Lubrication Service Letter (pdf file; 0.017 MB)
Hartzell used to specify a lot of different greases for their props
(see MORE
NAVION FILES), but now utilizes Aeroshell #6 almost
exclusively. Navion owners know that even a recently overhauled 12X20 prop will
spit oil, particularly on warm days. I've seen these props return from the big
AD inspection, or even overhaul, sealed with all kinds of sticky compounds
(silicone, Permatex, etc.), in an attempt to solve yet another on-going problem
with these propellers. This service letter allows the use of Aeroshell #5 IF
the propeller is placarded against use below -40 degrees. It also gives useful
pointers on lubrication intervals and procedures. Aeroshell #5 is a high
temperature grease, and less prone to spitting oil when the mercury rises.
Hartzell_Setup
(doc file; 0.024 MB)
One
of the most common calls I get is after someone has received one of these
wonder-props from overhaul or after a mandated AD inspection, and the plane
will no longer make static
The blade pitch CANNOT be set by the prop shop; it MUST be done on the plane. And to complicate matters, there are half a dozen different pitch angles scattered across various manuals.
I’ve boiled the variables down to a “tried-and-true” process that makes the whole thing pretty straight forward.
------------WARNING------------
If you have stumbled onto this page and have a piston style (non-bladder) Hartzell splined-hub propeller, I STRONGLY recommend that you, your mechanic, or your prop shop contact Lou Gage
at
the American Bonanza Society, or at least read
DELCO
- REMY GENERATORS and VOLTAGE REGULATOR
Many Navions still sport their original Delco generator and its attendant
regulator. The maintenance and adjustment of these regulators has become
something of a lost art due to their relative rarity. Here are the manuals,
which even cover the proper way to "neutralize", and
"polarize" these generators.
Delco
Regulator Manual (pdf file; 1.553 MB)
Delco
Generator Manual (pdf file; 5.121 MB)
Delco_Remy_Repair
(pdf file; 23.180 MB)
Delco_Remy_Regulators_115
(pdf file; 1.762 MB)
Delco_Remy_Regulators_116
(pdf file; 1.802 MB)
Delco_Remy_Regulators_118 (pdf file; 1.766 MB)
Delco_Remy_Generator_Regulators (pdf file; 13.510 MB)
BENDIX-ECLIPSE
E-80 STARTER
The Eclipse "E-80" starter series was the workhorse of the late
radial engine era, and carried over into the E-series Continental engines (the
"E" is strictly coincidence). These starters come in 12 and 24 volt
versions, with various clutch torque settings and both grounded and un-grounded
stators. Here's the parts breakdown, exploded diagrams, and overhaul manuals
for these expensive machines:
E-80
Starter Manual (pdf file; 14.544 MB)
NAVION PILOT'S CHECKLIST
Specific to my plane, a 1950 Navion A with the Continental E185 engine and a
Hartzell constant speed prop, this nifty color-coded checklist fits on one
card. Edit it using Microsoft Word to reflect your own needs, print it in high
resolution, fold in half, and laminate.
Navion
Checklist (doc file; 0.098 MB)
AVIONICS
As you can see, 5186K had a pretty
primitive panel. Like everyone else I wanted the latest and greatest moving
map, IFR, approach certified
The most interesting part of this
entire installation was the approach certified
Form 337, side B (doc file, 0.021 MB)
There were a few strange things about
this process. The FAA didn't want anything listed as an attachment, hence the
odd wording on the 337 ("herein incorporated by reference").
Ultimately their goal was to only record the microfiched 337, and not a bunch
of weight and balance sheets, flight manual supplements, etc. I was also
surprised that they didn't require a flight test, which used to be a
religiously observed part of any approach certified
SHOULDER HARNESSES
Canopy Navions predate the requirement for shoulder harnesses. There have
been various modifications, and even
And
here's the official FAA policy statement that says so:
Shoulder
Harness Policy Statement (pdf file, 0.156 MB)
Never a bureaucracy to let a simple
statement run around naked, here's the FAA's discussion of the ramifications of
the policy statement:
Policy
Statement Discussion (doc file, 0.081 MB)
So I eagerly placed an order for two
2D5630-3 harnesses ($40 each) from
Hooker Harness
These mate with the 206340 seat belts,
also from Hooker, that are legal replacements for the front seat belts.
The entire get-up looks like this:
Shoulder
Harness Installation (jpg file, 0.073 MB)
and is anchored behind the rear seat like so:
Harness
Anchor (jpg file, 0.077 MB)
The shoulder harnesses are capped off with stylish sheep skin pads from Wal-Mart, and they don't even interfere with the rear seat passengers.
SPECIAL TOOLS
There is one tool that a Navion wrench swinger cannot do without. While
we all get creative at accessing hose clamps, hoisting jigs, and the like, the
bolts on the main gear trunnions require a wrench so bizarre it is specifically
illustrated in the Navion manuals. And rightfully so. I don’t remember
where this sketch came from, but many thanks to the originator.
Trunnion_Wrench.jpg
(jpg file, 0.015 MB)
LINKS
Here's a list of links which may be of interest to Navion owners:
The creator of the biggest Navion link of all; the page you're on (and those
that follow). In addition to being the proud owner of N5186K, I'm
an A&P mechanic, IA, and instrument rated commercial pilot located at
We make the CYA-100, a simple and inexpensive
The best way to contact me is to click here
to send me an e-mail, or phone me at (203)
798-6622 or (203) 431-9056.
I'm always happy to meet with Navion owners, or potential owners, at
Sierra Hotel Aero
The current owner of the A-782 Navion Type Certificate
Sierra Hotel Aero
or here
www.navion.com
Tom DeLuca
Tom doesn't have a website, but he does have everything
you could possibly want for a Navion. He's in Cabazon, CA,
and his phone number is (951) 849-7594. His fax is (951) 849-0084. Seriously,
if you need anything, call him.
Jeff Bontz
Jeff’s shop, Classic Aero Service is in
To access it, call him at (402) 694-0171.
American Navion Society
This is the link to the major Navion type club. Potentially good source for
parts and information.
American Bonanza Society
The link to the Type Club for the other aircraft that uses E series engines and
Hartzell splined propellers. Their “tech guru”, Lou Gage, is the
go-to guy for info on installations unique to Beechcraft.
Vintage Bonanza
Another good source of E series engine, accessory, and Hartzell prop info.
Yahoo! Navion Group
Frankly, these are the new type clubs; they just haven't
realized it yet. Post a question, get an answer. A good answer?
You decide. Use anti-virus software religiously if you download from these
groups, and please make darn sure your files are clean before you upload!
Personally, I think that as parts availability shrinks, these user groups will
provide a better database for parts than the "official" type clubs.
After all, if you holler for a part on a user group, you're bound to get a
response from several folks in the same predicament. The type clubs only have
one guy trying to accomplish the same function. These groups saved me $1K on
insurance, and I paid it back by saving someone $600 on an A-38 bearing.
Golden Gate Navioneers
Bill Putney's website for the Golden Gate Navioneers has a library of
337 forms submitted by Navion owners.
PLEASE forward Bill a copy of all of your 337's for inclusion in his publicly
accessible library. It makes it much easier to file a 337 if you can show your
FSDO
that a modification has been accepted in the past, and we need all the
help we can get to keep these classic airplanes flying! Also, my sincerest
appreciation to Bill for generously providing the storage and bandwidth for the
Navion Files Site you are reading right now!
This WebSite is available
on CD 
If anyone has items of interest, click here to send me an e-mail
If you're a real glutton for download punishment
go to:
This webpage Copyright 2000 by Ripley Quinby