Phoebus A as a first glider

Phoebus, fun plane in 10 easy steps!
1. Go to phoebus.vassel as directed and read everything written on the
Phoebus, and then watch all the videos Bruno made flying the ship, you'll
get an excellent idea of its capabilities.
2. Go he http://www.ltb-lindner.com/phoebus-ad-sb.html
Rudolph Linder was one of the original designers, his shop is now run by his
son. He will respond to emails, and you can speak with him if necessary.
Look at the AD&SB Summary, particularly as it pertains to
13 94 001 . 09 27-6 . 08 27-20. Many AI's won't even see this.
There have been virtually no AD's on this ship anyway.
3. Take the seat pan out and fill that area with lots of pillows because your
knees and legs will go here. Then remove the cubby shelf. With a utility
light, a strong flashlight, and an inspection mirror on an extendable arm at
the ready, carefully climb in there, taking care not to load up the control
rods that are under the pillows... and stuff your head right on into the area
that was the cubby shelf you took out, and where you will see all the
control rods articulating everything. It's really quite enjoyable to get
in there and play around seeing how it all works. You can get even
further in as you relax and get comfortable.. I hope you're not a 250
pounder by the way.
4. You need to take your time and inspect every rod-end
fitting in there. The ones they used back in 65 were of the exposed ball
bearing type, in other words, you can see the balls contained in the
bearing.
Sometimes there are some missing balls, you may even find some laying
down in the fuselage. Some may be frozen from corrosion or lubricant
solidification. Have the rod-end unscrewed from the rod and replaced
if there's any question. Quality replacements are not expensive.
Now go and find every single rod-end fitting on the ship.
5. Do # 4 yourself. Have a trusted/knowledgeable aircraft person go over
your work and hopefuly find nothing more if you feel lacking.
I hate to say it but aircraft inspections rarely, and I mean rarely inspect
to the bone marrow. Sad but true.
6. While you are in the "cave" check carefully that all the gussets and
stand-offs that hold things out away from the fuselage all have solid
fiberglass laminations; nothing is able to move, all is solid. Check
everywhere throughout the ship like this.
6. Polish the heck out of the wing root pins and hope they buff-out perfect
with no pitting, checking etc... otherwise the wings may be toast,
but there's a pair of C model wings out in Cal!
7. Check every moving part, every connection on that creature yourself
before an Annual is called for. Make certain you are there for that annual,
you will be amazed at what they NEVER look at, and then you will realize,
it is true, that You better know every nook and cranny of any aircraft
you ever own.
8. And then... and then.... move to the trailer and pick it apart.... rig the
whole plane with the knowlegable person that truly knows how to rig it,
not just somebody figuring it out on the fly..of course, before the annual.
Go through the logbook carefully, is it is complete? Was the plane rigged
for the annual? Got the picture?
9. Great bang for the buck them Phoebi'
10. Never ever get rushed into rushing with any of this. You buy it you own it.

Best of luck.

Originally Posted by John Foster

On Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 9:48:50 PM UTC-7, wrote:
http://phoebus.vassel.com/site_page_2511/

Thanks for the link. That is a very insightful evaluation. I'm also interested in what others think, particularly those who have flown a Phoebus.

I have extensive experience with Phoebus Gliders. I helped Bruno get his Phoebus A and I restored a Phoebus B. I’ve inspected 5-6 different Phoebus as pre-buy and condition inspections. I don’t have a lot of time to email or text so feel free to call! Love to talk to you!

Aaron Thomson
801-458-4885