Dynamic Propeller Balancing Completed On The Airplane

The team restoring the B-29 "Doc" to airworthy condition has released a video from the recent dynamic propeller balancing on all four propellers. In a blog post, Restoration Program Manager Jim Murphy says this another one of the final steps before first flight.

Also last week, four volunteers each installed one of four rivets that holds the nameplate or “dataplate” onto the fuselage of the restored B-29. The nameplate is necessary for an FAA Airworthiness Certificate, which is needed to request permission from the U.S. Air Force to use the active non-joint-use runway at McConnell Air Force Base as an operating home for Doc’s flight testing.

The team has been answering numerous questions about when first flight might be scheduled. The answer to that question depends upon the timing of the FAA Airworthiness Certificate, the approval from the Air Force, and crew’s overall comfort level with initial taxi testing and other ground testing that needs to be accomplished before first flight. As we’ve stated from the beginning of the project, Doc’s Friends is committed to returning the historic warbird to the sky, but we must take care not to rush through the pre-flight checklist and final restoration needs.

Murphy said in the video that the FAA could be out to inspect the airplane Monday, and the airworthiness certificate could be issued soon.

(Image from Doc's Friends video)

FMI: Video https://youtu.be/-RL1HhLiNZ8