Aero Commander Lark 100-180

[jammin]

Looking for people who share a common interest for these planes to share information and experiences.

[Larkflyer]

My wife owns a 1969 Lark and enjoys it's easy flying characteristics. I have found it easy to work on and parts are available still. Seemed like it should go faster on 180 hp, but it is heavy. We don't use the wheel pants and we treat it like a three person plane. Anybody had any luck rigging slight changes in the ailerons? Ours flies a little left wing low.
Nick

[jammin]

My Lark was left wing low as well but not anymore. Someone had attached a tab to force the right aileron up. My mechanic removed it and we trimmed the aircraft wings to fly straight. Like a cessna, the rear wing attach bolts are eccentric and can be turned until the wings fly true.
I believe you would slightly lower the back of the left wing and raise the right one.

[Cebollas]

Thanks for the tip, Mine also flies with the left wing low, even after I spent some time verifying that the flaps were perfectly simetrical, I could not figure out why then it will stil fly with the left wing low I am goin to have my mechanic rig the wings properly.

One thing I find out is that the only problem ever for the Lark or late darter is that people keep adding air to the front strut instead of totally lowering it to the base first, then fill with oil to the top, and then adding only enough air to lift the nose 2.5" but not a penny more.(just like the service manual calls for)

If you don't do the above then too much air pressure will remain in the strut puting too much pressure in the sissor link during flight, causing it to fail if a strong cross wind is encountered on landing. one way to prevent this is to add a cable loop betwen the attachement of the top link and the bottom one this will keep the pressure off the link and will prevent it from over extending during flight.

[Denny of Oakland]

I would not adjust the attach bolt eccentric’s unless you have a mechanic that has performed this task before. There is a certain procedure that should be followed to the letter of the law. Taking exact measurement before and during the wing rigging should be noted. Over the years I have made special tools for adjusting the eccentric bolts. If the adjustment is made incorrectly all kinds of bad things happen to the angle of attack, which will affect the flight controls.

If the maintenance manual does not explain how to adjust the eccentric’s I would suggest contacting the manufacture for assistance. If the manufacture does not want to assist you can contact me and I will help you obtain the correct data. This is a very important task.

Denny of Oakland

[Sue]

Anyone know where I can get lower fairings for wing struts or an interior plastics/upholstery kit for a 1969 Lark180? I have serial # 5105 up here in Victoria and am enjoying bringing it back to specs. Appreciate your comments on wing adjustments.

[jwillis]

Hi Denny, I'm converting a Lark into a taildragger, yes this is a huge project and the aircraft will qualify for the amature built category here in Canada when done.
Denny, any info you have regarding the rigging of the wings or special tools that may be needed would be of great benifit to me.
If you have the time, give me a shout. I would be iterested in the tools needed and data.
Warmest Regards
John Willis
jwillis@mts.net

Originally Posted by Denny of Oakland

I would not adjust the attach bolt eccentric’s unless you have a mechanic that has performed this task before. There is a certain procedure that should be followed to the letter of the law. Taking exact measurement before and during the wing rigging should be noted. Over the years I have made special tools for adjusting the eccentric bolts. If the adjustment is made incorrectly all kinds of bad things happen to the angle of attack, which will affect the flight controls.

If the maintenance manual does not explain how to adjust the eccentric’s I would suggest contacting the manufacture for assistance. If the manufacture does not want to assist you can contact me and I will help you obtain the correct data. This is a very important task.

Denny of Oakland

[jammin]

[quote=Sue]Anyone know where I can get lower fairings for wing struts or an interior plastics/upholstery kit for a 1969 Lark180? I have serial # 5105 up here in Victoria and am enjoying bringing it back to specs. Appreciate your comments on wing adjustments.[/Sue, I have been trying to find the same thing. J&C Aviation has a supplier of plastic parts but I don't think they make them for Aero Commanders. Maybe a little pressure from a few of us?]

[BeechAT11]

I am 16 years old and I soloed a 1971 Lark. I have over 60 hrs. in the lark and I really like the airplane. Plus I can use it to build muscles, pulling the flap bar haha !!