Page 16 of 18 FirstFirst ... 61415161718 LastLast
Results 151 to 160 of 173

Thread: Norm's Flying Boat UL Flight Test Progress

  1. #151
    Norman Langlois's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Northwood ,N.H. USA
    Posts
    180
    Waiting on supplies. Name:  20180804_162717.jpg
Views: 675
Size:  92.1 KB The latest stats I have the core down to 9 lbs 10 oz. and the ruder pedals to 4 lbs. 3 oz. after removing unnecessary metal tube and drilling weight reduction holes. I also cut the cockpit cavity deeper. I like my pedals and there is need for weight forward as long as I stay on track they will be part of the new setup.

  2. #152
    Norman Langlois's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Northwood ,N.H. USA
    Posts
    180
    After acquiring needed supplies. I did a vacuum bag peel ply using Kevlar . I was not set up for vacuum bagging so I had to get innovative. I had sat in on a carbon fiber forum .I Took note of the fine points. Since I was not about to go out and buy a vacuum pump as recommended [ diaphragm ] type . I used the suggested cheap path . A small venturi device and my compressor a 6.0 scfm at 90 psi system. The veturi device are sold by many sources. From $190.00 down to $32. If you know what you are looking at. The little black block in the pictures shown of said device is very little indeed about 1/2 inch thick 1 X 1 1/2 inch .Its small but very powerful. those shown have a muffler attached . If you want to use a venturi do this just type AIR -VAC you will understand after looking around a bit what I mean. I went further , but by the time I was through buying many brass fittings for my multi device . I chose to run a dual system with gate valves. Using not just the venturi but also the intake of my compressor. I had spent over $150 bucks on bits and pieces. But it worked. Even better than I could hope for. The intake side of the compressor is a high volume reduction while the little venturi is strong at 27.5 it is low volume and very slow for a large bag. with both turned on it took only a minute or 3 to suck it down tight. Baring the many leaks from folds after enough tape. I did the layup in 4 stages the socket, the cabin, the forward deck and last the entire bottom and transom
    Each the resin to foam the kevlar. then work on the polyester fabric. next the polyester fiber fill [sponge] this sponges up the excess. I did by one of the best vacuum bagging material its very elastic and has good memory also reusable the tape pulls of the resin and other stick points. I also used a double sided bagging tape . When I needed direct to a former layup .I had found that applying the tape to the foam caused to much damage. In the beginning I Had purchased a $44. sheet of poplar ply 4X8 sheet for a vacuum table. This saved me alot of expensive double tape I just used blue painters tape, taping the bag directly to the wood. Name:  127_0231.jpg
Views: 624
Size:  87.6 KBName:  127_0234.jpg
Views: 530
Size:  90.1 KB

  3. #153
    Norman Langlois's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Northwood ,N.H. USA
    Posts
    180
    After all the kevlar and resin applied the weight is only 16.8 Lbs. Had I used the high density foam it wold be 26.6 Lb
    It is hoped that by using a full kevlar jacket I will have the strength of an otherwise glass and kevlar composite. Like the old hull. Name:  127_0236.jpg
Views: 544
Size:  87.1 KBName:  127_0239.jpg
Views: 519
Size:  86.0 KB Name:  127_0241.jpg
Views: 541
Size:  87.1 KB

  4. #154
    robert l's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Heath Springs, S.C.
    Posts
    590
    Are there any structural features inside the foam or does the Kevlar provide all the strength needed ?
    Bob

  5. #155
    Norman Langlois's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Northwood ,N.H. USA
    Posts
    180
    Hi Bob
    No there is no additional structures . The form shape contours and cockpit galley walls are about all there is. Better than a flat stress skin . With kevlar I certainly hope its enough . The 281 bi directional plain weave is strong stuff. I expect I will be adding a 3"wide perimeter layer on the top to bottom overlay. I think that will be all.

  6. #156
    robert l's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Heath Springs, S.C.
    Posts
    590
    I've never done any composite stuff so that's the reason I was asking. I would like to try it someday and getting feed back from those who have done it, (like you) is a big help. I'll be lurking around.
    Thanks,
    Bob

  7. #157

    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    302
    Looks nice Norm.

  8. #158
    Norman Langlois's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Northwood ,N.H. USA
    Posts
    180
    Name:  127_0244.jpg
Views: 504
Size:  94.9 KBName:  127_0243.jpg
Views: 482
Size:  87.7 KB Its back on the new total weight is 296.5 lbs
    That includes all original parts and hardware. That weight may go up a bit or down the electric wire cabling will shorten and something needs to be made for instruments.
    I moved the seat forward to offset the reduction of hull weight. A full assemble inside the garage and rerun the calculations to see.
    The new hull weight after painting was only 19 lbs
    The size of that in displacement is 9 cu ft the foam core was 9.8Lbs before all the resin and kevlar.

    Anyone thinking of adding floats to an 103 legal UL might consider a foam construction method it is stronger than you may think and far lighter per pound than any other construction and totally unsinkable if perforated
    Adding a tube skeleton would make for a secure attachment point or some thing of similar nature using a bonding as I used.
    Example If I were to redo the rear floats I may opt for a pocket bond and eliminate the internal tube .and add only an wear strip for abrasion. further reducing my total weight by up to 10 lbs aft
    Last edited by Norman Langlois; 08-29-2018 at 04:49 PM.

  9. #159
    Norman Langlois's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Northwood ,N.H. USA
    Posts
    180
    I have it ready to go. I am at the last minute . I may yet make the lake before I leave for Fl., no I am not taking it with me.Name:  127_0245.jpg
Views: 401
Size:  82.0 KB
    Here I have it hanging from the ceiling ,its not touching the floor.
    That point is 17 inches back from the LE.
    In the last post I made claim of weight. Im not sure where it ended up, but it is close to the limit.
    I plan next year to redo the rear floats .
    Last edited by Norman Langlois; 09-08-2018 at 05:08 PM.

  10. #160
    Norman Langlois's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Northwood ,N.H. USA
    Posts
    180
    Some of the latest pictures. setting it up for the transport. Name:  127_0257.jpg
Views: 438
Size:  100.0 KBName:  127_0251.jpg
Views: 451
Size:  98.1 KB It is ready and I do hope to get it to the lake.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •