Managed to pull off an instrument rating and it sure came in handy on the flight back home. Come with for this long but gorgeous flight from Ames, IA to Enid, OK as I try not to screw up my first time solo through the clouds. Song is Alarm by Lookas and Krewella ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFI4rY0Tr4A

... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhavV7T_F8I

This week I got the firewall insulation and metal covering on, the engine mount re-installed, and the nose gear down-link and hydraulic system installed and calibrated. Next up, main gear and the belly! Follow along as I take this abandoned Lancair 235 project from forgotten to flying! This kit has been sitting for 36 years in a garage. I purchased it in July of 2022 with the hopes of finally seeing it fly. Finding time to work on this is challenging but I would like to share the experience with you. Whether you have already flying Lancair and want to see the process to build one or are thinking of starting an experimental project on your own, this series should help shed some light on the trials and tribulations of building an aircraft by yourself. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgu26DFgP3c

Apologies for the loud heater in the background. It was roughly 25F in the hangar at time of filming and concrete is not very forgiving in those temperatures. This shows I bled the brakes on my Zenith 601. These have the Grove brakes with Matco Cylinders. The standard fluid is a MIL-PRF-5606, which most airports will have. There is an upgraded fluid, MIL-PRF-83282 or MIL-PRF-87257. If you are ordering fluid for yourself, I recommend one of these fluids as they have a higher flashpoint and are less flammable. You can read Grove's instructions here: https://groveaircraft.com/ica-wb.pdf While it is possible to upgrade these with viton O-rings for compatibility with automotive (ex. DOT3), I spoke with grove and they chose Buna-N (Nitrile) O-Rings for their compatibility with 5606 and equivalent fluids. This is because most every airport that has a maintenance department will have this fluid on-hand, as it is commonly used in Piper, Cessna, etc. aircraft. This video is for educational purposes only. While all information given in these videos is offered with good intent, I am not a trained professional and any advice given is purely anecdotal. You assume all liability and risk for operating, fixing, or otherwise modifying your aircraft. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nixpj_Lup0