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progress report, new instrument panel
this is about as light as you can get, Belite gauges are almost zero weight, Thank You Jim Weibe!!!
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There are more pictures of the progress on my Blog http://robinultralight.blogspot.com/
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Canopy Latch, and Windshield.
I finally finished the canopy. I installed the Windshield, Latch, centering clips and engine primer. I updated all of this on my blog. http://robinultralight.blogspot.com/Attachment 1233
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covering part 1 (Tail Feathers)
I started covering the tail Feathers, There was a bit of a learning curve, but by the time I started the second surface, everything went smoothly. I posted more pictures and an update on my blog. http://robinultralight.blogspot.com/
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Robin Ultralight and your Holland, MI shop
Your Robin ultralight airplane is a very attractive aircraft, ultralight or not !
Thank you for sharing your build.
How tall of a pilot is it designed for? (I'm 6' 6" tall)
Do you sell plans for your shop from Holland, MI.
It is right along the lines I have been thinking but didn't know the footings could be in top of insulation.
I thought that might lead to settling of the foundation.
Wing Walk and wing retest
I just updated my blog http://robinultralight.blogspot.com/ I just added a wing walk to the L/H wing and I also added some photos of a wing retest. Check out my home made load cell!!!
Mark
Second Chantz Ballistic Chute
So I was looking for a good used Ballistic Chute, specifically a Second Chantz 550 or 600 soft pack chute. I found a Mini Max Project on Barnstormers in Phoenix for sale with the correct chute. I hate to say what we paid for the project, but it almost exactly equaled our fuel cost there and back. I made a deal with my Friend Ed and we split everything in half, he got the complete project with airframe, new carbon ground adjustable prop, Rotax 377 engine and 10 gallons of certified finish dope. I got the chute.
Today I packed up my Second Chantz Chute and shipped it back to the factory. They walked me through disarming the rocket and detonator. After 19 years that chute would have worked. The igniter was strong and the two rocket capsules made a cool fireworks display when we ignited them.
I have been going through a weight and Balance and asked my Friend Dan Rich to verify the static margin with the chute installed in the turtle deck. The neutral point was calculated to be 37.5% The aft CG with no fuel is 31% so that gives me at least a 12% static margin. Full fuel moved the CG to 22% The pilot is centered on the 25% chord point to reduce trim change with pilot weight variation.
I finished the L/H wing covering. Tomorrow I will rib stitch it. On Saturday I will put the base coat on the fabric. I plan on finishing all of the covered surfaces and then re rig everything. I will add weight to simulate the Chute and do a final weight and balance.
I also need to work with Second Chanz http://www.secondchantz.com/index.html to develop the 4 point bridle system. The chute is designed to be mounted on the roll over cage. The bridles will snake over the top of the longerons and run inside the fabric on one of the fabric stand offs. They will loop around the main wing box and the landing gear box. I can just imagine what will happen if that handle ever has to be pulled. You definitely don't want to use this chute for routine landings.
I'm starting to think my Landing gear might not be stiff enough. The fact that I am only mounting the gear at two points and allowing carry thru moment to pass between gears, is causing a rocking motion when the gear is full loaded. This was done on purpose because it allows greater deflection at the wheel and thus greater energy absorption. The gear also might not be stiff enough in the fore aft direction too, I believe I will be adding an additional 1/2" of width on the gear and redesigning the landing gear bulkhead to mount each gear leg at two points similar to a Cessna.
Latex Paint Covering Process
I started finishing my control surfaces. I outlined everything on my Blog http://robinultralight.blogspot.com/
I am really impressed with how well this House latex paint works and how light it is coming out
Latex Paint Covering Process-2
I am really impressed with this method of finishing a plane. I just completed the second coat on all of the wings, horizontal and the control surfaces. I still have paint left in the original one gallon can. I tried to weigh the finished parts to determine the weight per square foot, but the scales I have were not that accurate. I am finishing a one square foot sample and I will compare it to an unfinished sample. I will take the two to work and use some of the precision scales in our test lab. I am waiting on my refurbished parachute to come back from Second Chantz. Once I get that back, I will be able to intall it and finish the fuselage. It wont be long after that!!
Mark
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Latex Paint Covering Process-3
Here are some pictures of the latex paint being applied. I posted more on my Blog. http://robinultralight.blogspot.com/
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Ballistic Chute deployment handle.
I added some more pictures of the Ballistic chute installation on my Blog Robin Ultralight Take a look at where I decided to mount the deployment handle. I debated where to put it, see if my logic is correct. I'm open to any suggestions anyone might have.
Mark
Latex Paint Covering Process
Were in the same ballpark Norm. I think Latex is definitly the lightest way to go, keep up the good work, I follow all of your posts.
Mark