Sills Aviation Services

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    • Bearhawk patrol Build
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    • Home
    • Our Services
    • Contact Us
    • Past Projects
      • Cessna 182 N8926X
      • Piper Pawnee
      • Bearhawk LSA
      • Cessna 150 TD
      • Sportsman STOL
      • Bearhawk Patrol
      • Tynes RV6 N64ER
      • Europa Tri-Gear Mod
      • Cessna 182 E
      • Van's RV8 N880KM
      • Luscombe NC1761K
      • Cessna 140 NC76220
      • Van's RV 7 N274US
      • Van's RV 7 N267RV
      • 182 to 180 Conversion
      • Aeronca Champ 7AC
      • Cessna 140 89292
      • Joes Sills 140
      • Globe Swift N80737
      • Navion N91572
    • Current Projects
      • Bearhawk patrol Build
      • Bearhawk 4 Place Build
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182 to 180 Conversion

In January 2006 we started converting this 182 to a tail wheel 180 or technically a 182TW. We used this 1959 182 fuselage to build the fixture.

  • In January 2006 we started converting this 182 to a tail wheel 180 or technically a 182TW. We used this 1959 182 fuselage to build the fixture.
  • We drilled the cabin roof off to gain access to the spar carry thru's. They were bead blasted, chemically treated and epoxy primed, then top coated.
  • Drilling the forward (clip) from the fuselage gave good access to install the bulkheads needed to mount the 185 gear legs we bought for this project.
  • This poor airplane lived a lot of its life as a jump plane. The right side skins were beat up from the static lines slapping the side of the fuselage.
  • The fuselage back in one piece. I will link this page to another showing the tail cone modification soon.
  • Out of the fixture and on its mains. Now to the paint booth for final prep, prime and a base coat of Jet Glow Matterhorn White.
  • With the tail cone drilled off , we left it attached to the holding fixture and unbolted the fixture from the larger "jig".
  • Here you see the skin cleco'ed on and ready for the rivets. The fixture holds the forward and aft bulkheads in position while the skin is installed.
  • Below is the instrument panel we fabricated and installed. On the far right will be a EDM 930 engine monitor.
  • Above and below: I came in at 3:00 am to spray the paint while it was cool enough . When I had the last coat sprayed on it was already 80 degrees.
  • We cleaned the firewall and masked it off. We painted the parts that would corrode and look ugly in time. It's the details that take so much time.
  • Engine is on ! It's a Continental O470-50 , P. Ponk Silver Eagle Conversion.
  • Out of the paint room with the colors on. Wings are on , tips installed with nav & strobe lights, tail feathers are on.
  • The selection of used tail cones were not anything I would install. This one was manufactured under " 14 CFR Part 21 Subpart K 21.303
  • The Stene cowling was the least expensive out on the market that we found. At first look, it is of good craftsmenship. He must have a real nice mold.
  • I would have liked to have had more material on the aft edge to work with. There isn't much room for trimming for a good fit.
  • McCauley propeller installed. Ready for first run up.
  • Interrior picture , still waiting on a yoke for the right side.
  • Panel picture. Cool or what ?
  • Cowling fitted and ready for paint.
  • Cowl flap doors were a pain to get to fit the cowling but should work just fine.
  • The "bump" in the center is for the carb. heat box valve to clear.
  • Finished ! Well , some paperwork still to do then ready for the ops flight check.
  • The STC we used was from Baer Aviation. There is no "KIT" available to make this conversion.
  • To do the conversion as we did takes about 250 man hours. At our current shop rate of $80/ hr. that comes to $20,000.00 in labor.
  • Then add the cost of parts and materials needed. As of this update the cost of the STC paperwork is $2,000.00 .
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