Republic RC-3 Seabee # 881 (N6608K, CF-ILM, C-FILM)

REPUBLIC RC-3 SEABEE # 881

C-FILM (Photo: Blair Robinson)

CF-ILM
Ontario, Canada
21 May 2005
Photo: © Brian & Blair Robinson

AIRCRAFT DATA
Manufacturer:		Republic Aviation Corporation; Farmingdale, Long Island, New York, USA.
Model:		Robinson Special ex Republic RC-3 Seabee
Type Certificate No:		A-769
Serial Number:		001 (ex RC-3 s/n 881)
Manufacturing Date:		2007 (ex RC-3 1947-05)
Engine:		Franklin 6A8-215-B9F (215 HP at 2500 RPM), S/N 23943. Robinson GM LS1 (V8) 320 HP (experimental). Gear ratio: 1.68:1 2000-07-05 to 2011-12-23; Total hours 2,098. Manual throttle. Propeller: Hartzell, 3 blades. Robinson GM LS3 (V8) 425 HP (experimental). Gear ratio: 1.98:1 2014-01-14 to date. Edelbrock supercharger (modified). Electric throttle. Propeller: MT, 5 blades w/ spinner. New motor mount system. Custom designed supercharger controller used to normalize the engine under a wide range of conditions. Electric backup water pump. 5 blade MT propeller. Independent Dual electric fuel pumps complete with dual fuel pickups, water separators and filters Custom designed dual exhaust/muffler system. Redesigned top cowling hinge system.
Remarks:		Fuselage - Large baggage compartment door system - Enlarged baggage compartment - Gull wing doors - Flush mounted windows - 3 point retractable seat belts - Dual battery system - New design tail wheel unlocking system - Remote battery charging ports (charging main batteries w/o opening battery box) - New access panel for tail wheel maintenance access - New access panel for water rudder maintenance - Fuselage skin reinforcement under elevators - Wide spray rails - Cabin heating system complete with windshield defroster - Cabin air conditioning system - Cabin fresh air system - Baggage compartment fresh air vent system - Flush fuel door w/ remote mounted opener (opened from inside of aircraft) - Hull boosters *Instrument Panel* - New instrument panel complete with: - MGL IEFIS - Dual MGL com radios - Vertical power electronic breaker/power monitoring system - IPad installation complete with adjustable IPad holder - The IPad can display engine and limited flight data - The IPad can provide backup navigation system - Wireless engine data recorder - CANbus data system for displaying engine computer data directly on IEFIS - (instead of using secondary hard wired sensors) - USB and auxiliary power ports - 4 place intercom system - External static system - 3 axis autopilot - Instrument panel mounted on an angle for better viewing by pilot - Video camera system. One camera for engine start and one camera for backing up - Single leaver PMS; combines throttle, pitch and reverse controls into one unit *Landing Gear* - 8.50 X 10 Tundra tires - Upgraded Disk brake system - Electric hydraulic system - Manual backup protected by isolating valves - Retraction/extension controlled by panel mounted electric landing gear switch - Redesigned internal oleo components for improved crosswind performance - Hydraulic tail wheel shock absorber - Redesigned tail wheel fork - Redesigned tail wheel collar - Modified tail wheel axel to allow use of standard tow bar - Reinforced linkage on center weldment - Upgraded wheel bearing seals - Quick disconnect landing gear system *Miscellaneous* - Electric elevator trim system - Electric flap system - New design water rudder for improved turning ability in windy conditions - Redesigned rudder post system - New design rudder stops - Pilot accessible Rudder lock for ground parking in windy conditions - Extended ailerons - Drooped aileron system - 2’ 9” wing extensions - Wing root fences - Wing tip splates - Redesigned vent system for fuel tank compartment - Hydraulic retractable wheel skis - Custom designed wheel ski for tail wheel - New design Stainless steel fuel level sensor - New design stainless steel fuel drain system - Strobes - Raised rear seats - Electric bilge pump system - Extended spray rails

Reg. No.	Date	Remarks
NC6608K N6608K	1947-05-??	Manufacturing Date.
	1947-05-??	Test flight.
	1947-06-01	Statement of Conformity, Form ACA 317, by Republic Aviation Corporation ... 881 has been manufactured in conformity with the data forming the basis for Type Certificate No. 769... [Signed W. I. Stieglitz, Design Engineer, Commercial Req'ts]
	1947-06-02	Application for Airworthiness Certificate and/or Annual Inspection of an Aircraft, Form ACA-305: Owner: Republic Aviation Corportation; Farmingdale, New York. Engine: 6A8-215-B9F. 1947-06-02 signed Harry M. Jones, CAA Inspector.
	1947-06-02	Bill of Sale, Form ACA-500 Part C: Purchaser: Safair Flying School; Teterboro Air Terminal, Teterboro, New Jersey. Seller: Republic Aviation Corporation; M. G. Veckman, Assistant Treasurer.
	1947-06-02	Officially delivered from manufacturer Republic Aviation Corporation to Safair Flying School; New Jersey, USA.
	1947-06-02	Bill of Sale, Form ACA-500 Part C: Purchaser: Charles P. Day; 42 Jefferson Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey. Seller: Safair Flying School, O. P. Hebert, Partner.
	1947-06-02	Application for Registration, Form ACA-500 Part B: Name: Charles P. Day; 42 Jefferson Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey.
	1947-06-12	Registration Certificate, Form ACA-400 Part A, issued to: Charles P. Day; 42 Jefferson Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey.
	1948-06-19	Application for Airworthiness Certificate and/or Annual Inspection of an Aircraft, Form ACA-305: Owner's name: Charles P. Day; 42 Jefferson Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey. 1948-06-17 signed Joseph Gallant, Agent, A&E 10353-57. 1948-06-21 signed Burton H. Ewings, Designee, D.A.M.I. # 2242. 1948-07-01 signed Joseph ?, CAA Inspector.
	1949-05-10	Repair and Alteration Form (Aircraft, Propellers, Engines, Instruments), Form ACA-337: Owner: Charles P. Day; 42 Jefferson Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey. Agency: Hartzell; Puqua, Ohio. Description of work accomplished: Chord reduced on both blades - 24" Station .310" / 30" Station .300". 1949-05-14 signed C. A. Reed. 1949-06-17 signed Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248. 1949-06-22 signed Joseph ?, CAA Inspector.
	1949-06-17	Application for Airworthiness Certificate and/or Annual Inspection of an Aircraft, Form ACA-305: Owner's name: Charles P. Day; 42 Jefferson Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey. 1949-06-17 signed D. L. Lemey, Agent. 1949-06-17 signed Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248. 1949-06-22 signed Joseph ?, CAA Inspector.
	1950-12-08	Application for Airworthiness Certificate and/or Annual Inspection of an Aircraft, Form ACA-305: Owner's name: Charles P. Day; 93 Highland Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey. 1950-12-08 signed Edward B. Oliver, Agent. 1950-12-08 signed Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248. 1950-12-27 signed Joseph ?, CAA Inspector.
	1951-10-17	Application for Airworthiness Certificate and/or Annual Inspection of an Aircraft, Form ACA-305: Owner's name: Charles P. Day. 1951-10-17 signed Edward B. Oliver, Agent. 1951-10-17 signed Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248. 1951-10-29 signed J. ?, CAA Inspector.
	1951-10-17	Certificate of Airworthiness, Form ACA-1362, issued. Expire: 1952-10-17. Issued by: Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248.
	1952-10-06	Aircraft Inspection Report, Form ACA-305a: Aircraft total hours: 128:05 Engine (s/n 23943) total hours: 128:05 1952-10-06 signed Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248. 1952-10-07 signed J. ?, CAA Inspector, 2-579.2.14.
	1952-10-06	Application for Airworthiness Certificate and/or Annual Inspection of an Aircraft, Form ACA-305: Owner's name: Charles P. Day; 93 Highland Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey. 1952-10-06 signed Edward B. Oliver, Agent.
	1952-10-06	Certificate of Airworthiness, Form ACA-1362, issued. Expire: 1953-10-06. Issued by: Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248.
	1953-11-25	Aircraft Inspection Report, Form ACA-305a: Aircraft total hours: 133:00 Engine (s/n 23943) total hours: 133:00 1953-11-25 signed Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248. 1953-11-27 signed A. T. Blackwell, CAA Inspector, Reg. 2 FW ASDO 21.
	1953-11-25	Application for Airworthiness Certificate and/or Annual Inspection of an Aircraft, Form ACA-305: Owner's name: Charles P. Day; 93 Highland Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey. 1953-11-25 signed Edward B. Oliver, Agent.
	1953-11-25	Certificate of Airworthiness, Form ACA-1362, issued. Expire: 1954-11-25. Issued by: Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248.
	1954-09-13	Application for Airworthiness Certificate and/or Annual Inspection of an Aircraft, Form ACA-305: Owner's name: Charles P. Day; 93 Highland Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey. 1954-09-13 signed Tom C. Dixon, Agent.
	1954-09-14	Aircraft Inspection Report, Form ACA-305a: Aircraft total hours: 153:35 Engine (s/n 23943) total hours: 153:35 1954-09-14 signed Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248. 1954-09-16 signed J. ?, CAA Inspector, FW257-21.
	1954-09-14	Certificate of Airworthiness, Form ACA-1362, issued. Expire: 1955-09-14. Issued by: Edward B. Oliver, Designee # 2248.
	1955-09-08	Major Repair and Alteration Form (Aircraft, Powerplant, Propeller or Appliance), Form ACA-337: Owner: Charles P. Day; 42 Jefferson Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey. Agency: Tom C. Dixon; P.O. Box 1063, Daytona Beach, Indiana. Description of work accomplished: (New weight and balance) 1955-09-08 signed Tom C. Dixon, Agent. 1955-09-17 signed J. ?, CAA Inspector, Reg. 2 FW ASDO 21.
	1955-09-29	Aircraft Status Change, Form ACA 195; Canceled for reason checked below: [x] 6. Exported. (Export Certificate No. E-11844.) Cancelled from CAA Aircraft Register. Exported to Canada. Export Certificate No. E-11844.
CF-ILM	1971-09-15	C of R issued to: Eric B. Robinson; RR 3, Kirkfield, Ontario K0M 2B0, Canada
	1997-2000	Development of the Robinson V8 conversion of C-FILM.
	2000-07-05	First flight with Robinson GM LS1 (V8) 320 HP engine.
	2000-08-29	C of R issued.
	2007-03-06	Aircraft deleted from Canadian CAR.
	2007-04-13	Converted to "Robinson Special" s/n 001 and re-registered on Canadian CAR as Amateur Built - CAR Standard 549. Eric B. Robinson; 12 Hardwood Street, R.R. #3, Kirkfield, Ontario K0M 2B0, Canada.
	2009-04-22	Lockport, New York, USA. Off-airport emergency landing after engine problems.
	2011-12-23	Last flight with Robinson GM LS1 (V8) 320 HP engine. Total hours 2,098.
	2014-01-14	First flight with Robinson GM LS3 (V8) 425 HP engine.
	2016-09-06	Lindsay Airport (CNF4), Ontario. Emergency landing outside airport after engine power loss after take off. Electric throttle failure (?). Brian Robinson wrote to IRSOC about the accident: We have been doing some development work on the new single lever control system for the engine & propeller. This is a single unit that controls propeller pitch, engine power & the reverse function all into one unit. It has been working extremely well & really simplifies the power management tasks. Unfortunately we had a system failure & the engine went to idle very shortly after takeoff. I botched the associated emergency landing, we thought we had the field made & lowered the landing gear too early. As a result the sink rate increased & we landed short of the runway in some small scrub trees. This would not have been a problem, except there was a fence hidden in the scrub! We snagged the fence & did a very hard landing. Both my passenger and I received back trauma, I will recover without surgery but my passenger underwent surgery yesterday to stabilize his lower back. His surgery was deemed successful and we are hopeful for a full recovery. Thank god we were in a Seabee!! The airplane took a beating but protected us well. The Bee is now back in our hanger & repairs have started. We will be conducting a full investigation to determine the root cause of the power reduction & then take corrective action. I know people will be sceptical of the electric throttle. I would like to point out that in the good old days I had exactly the same thing happen - engine suddenly went to full idle. In that case it was an old-fashioned mechanical throttle cable that broke. In that incident I managed to do a much better power off landing.
	Sources:	RAC Seabee Delivery List. FAA Aircraft Registry. Canadian Civil Aircraft Register. Blair Robinson. Brian Robinson.