N4180V flies again after 5 years

[gobrien]

Hi All,

Thanks to many of you who have answered questions and sent measurements, pictures and advice throughout the past couple of years while I worked on this project. I bought N4180V in pieces along with an engine from an early C172 in 2019 and on 18th July 2019 the container arrived in Dublin.

On 15th January 2022, just over 5 years after her ground-loop in Florida on 10th December 2017, N4180V took to the skies as EI-AEN.

The work is not finished yet, I have rigging improvements to make and the test flight card remains to be completed. The test pilot is a 25k+ hour ATP with over 300 types under his belt so she is in good hands. I'm not allowed to fly her yet as the permit has not been issued, but I am so ready!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5gBUCzvFq8

https://www.taildragger.eu/

Cheers,

Gareth.

20190718_175608.jpg

EI-AEN.jpg

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Congratulations

[c170b53]

Magnificent accomplishment, well done.
I’ll bet you couldn’t stretch your grin further when you get behind the wheel.

[daedaluscan]

Well done. No one expects these projects to take as long as they do, but I bet the final result is well worth the trauma.

[eskflyer]

Cheers to the whole team. Seeing another 170 in the air. Instead of the scrapyard brings a big smile to not only you, but to all of us. Congratulations.

[DaveF]

Well done, and in quite a short time, too.

Thanks for keeping one flying!

[Kevin Pearce]

Congratulations, you have done a great job on the restoration.
Hope to see you and your 170 at the LAA Rally this year.

[JSwift]

Well done! So in a few months you’ll have to let us know which you enjoy more, rebuilding her or flying her. My guess is the former just adds to the joy of the latter.