Seeing my sister covered in a thick film of dust has become part of our current state. Frustrated that she is not able to fly is an understatement, even with the understanding that she will fly again.
Before moving forward with engine work or with other parts of the annual inspection, the restorer wanted to take a close look for any other damage the Bonanza may have, and the best way to do that is with a bath.
Opening the hangar door on the hot summer day, I swear Sis knew she was in for some TLC.
Sis is a 1947 Beechcraft Bonanza model 35, one of the first 1000 off the assembly line. For all intents and purposes, she is my big sister as I have grown up flying with her and now am her caretaker.
Armed with spray bottles and a garden sprayer filled with dawn and water along with some microfiber cloths, we sprayed down the top of the wings and let the solution sit while pouring a bucket of water over the windows to remove the worst of the dirt without scratching.
The dust and grime had preserved Sis, according to the restorer, I’m still unsure if that was said to make me feel better or was based on fact.
As we cannot fly her now, a modified sponge bath will suffice. Flying an airplane after a wash is best as it removes water from areas not normally accessible and dries effectively.
Soaking the wings a second time using a spray bottle and rinsing with clean water and a bit more elbow grease to get stubborn bugs left on the leading edges worked well.
The hangar Sis has at Moraine keeps the worst of the weather off her but not much more. She and I have both been spoiled by the hangar she lived in when based in Chicago, a concrete floor with good insulation and heat.
As she had been painted last in the late 1980’s, the restorer has expressed concern about the condition of the paint and was eager to inspect more closely while removing the grit and grime.
Considering that before the tail movement was found in 2022, Sis had what I thought was regular maintenance performed. While that has been the case, she has not had more than spot cleaning done to remove bugs for some time.
Part of the annual inspection indicates the inspection of a clean airplane to see the condition of the airframe and engine thoroughly.
While paint appears cosmetic, it helps to protect the aircraft surfaces from damage. Besides keeping the aircraft cooler under the sun’s ever-present UV rays, it also prevents corrosion.
During the inspection, a damaged wingtip was discussed along with what appeared to be snowflakes on the paint of the flap was explained to be rust on a magnesium flap.
The restorer made note of these; and explained that we will monitor these at this point as they will not impede flight but will be addressed down the road either with repair or replacement as necessary.
After the wings and tail were cleaned, the engine cowl and prop were examined. I sprayed the surfaces careful to avoid water in the propeller hub it was a similar situation to the wings, but using a bit more elbow grease where bugs were still present.
The restorer expressed surprise at how shiny the paint was in most areas – over 30-year-old paint can still gleam!
While Sis shone above, we still had to address the grease and gunk that covered her belly.
The restorer pulled out something stronger in the form of Stoddard Solvent, a product that would cut through the grime and protect the paint afterward.
Again, working in small sections though, this time with a soaked cloth and another cloth to wipe the surface clean.
I began at the tail and moved forward while the restorer cleaned and examined the nose gear for wear and corrosion as he cleaned, moving towards the middle of the airplane.
Areas of damage or concern were mentioned while cleaning.
Before I was born, my parents and Sis had landed gear up. While I had heard about the fabled flight through the years, it was not until some wrinkles aft of the cowl flap doors and exhaust stack area were talked about did it become more concrete in my mind.
The restorer said that with the Bonanza’s age, it was not uncommon to see damage like hers, and as it goes, it was not bad, stating again, she has been mostly well taken care of under my father’s eye.
Once the belly was cleaned, the restorer turned his attention to the main landing gears. Discussion of cleaning the corrosion on the brake disks as they will tear up the pads, all part of compiling a list for addressing as part of the inspection.
As we finished up the long day, it was with the realization that there will be a lot more days like this one where it doesn’t seem like much has happened, but in reality, a lot has.