It's alive!

[Todd copeland]

It's a mess but it's alive, ships power, everything seems to work as advertised. Now to clean it all up and make it all pretty.

[jjhoneck]

Awesome!

What's all this in?

[Todd copeland]

G3x system, garmin 400w, two garmin radios and audio panel. Full two axis autopilot, and garmin engine monitor.

[planecrazzzy]

Really.... You answered his question ?

AIRCRAFT DUDE........ ?
.
.
More money in that Panel than I have in my Buttercup with a 0-235
.
.

[Todd copeland]

Really.... You answered his question ?

AIRCRAFT DUDE........ ?
.
.
More money in that Panel than I have in my Buttercup with a 0-235
.
.

Ha! Ya, I missed the point of that question. Read it too fast or I'm just too excited about it. It's in a Glasair III. I'm in the fifth year building it and I'm hoping to fly next spring.

[Todd copeland]

Update. Been working body and paint since last November. Nearly finished painting, just have a checkerboard panel in the white section on the fuselage to go, then clear. After that, a few odds and end, inspection and fly away! The Glasair III has been a five year project. Definitely happy with it though.

[Frank Giger]

That, my friend, is a piece of art.

[Todd copeland]

That, my friend, is a piece of art.

Thank you sir. It does help to hear after all the hours. A labor of love for sure.

[Todd copeland]

Just realized, this was started when I got the electric to the panel for the first time. Here is a pic with the panel installation done.

[Frank Giger]

Behind that panel you'll run the risk of referring to the tower as "Mission Control."

:)

[Todd copeland]

Very true Frank! I'm going to have to discipline myself to look out of the plane with all these fancy light up screens. Had a great day yesterday painting. For reasons of masking I'm still missing a checker at the aft most position as the wrap underneath and that will require sever separate masking and paintings but it's getting closer to that first flight by the day. Five long years in process (my Glastar only took three). I'm looking forward to the next Phaze of fun with this bird!

[Frank Giger]

It's only missing if you say it is...I had to look back to see what the heck you're talking about.

Then again, since now you said it that's what I look for. So yeah, you've got to but it on there or every time you walk up to the plane you'll think you're missing a checker board square.

[Todd copeland]

Improved version! All the checkers.mstill a couple of small fixes to go but it's even closer after today. Building airplanes is fun!

[Frank Giger]

Wowsers!

You've got a little gem that are going to have people asking you "Who makes that, and where can I buy one!"

[Todd copeland]

Wowsers!

You've got a little gem that are going to have people asking you "Who makes that, and where can I buy one!"

You are very generous in your praise Frank. Sure makes a guy feel good about his work. I thank you.

[Frank Giger]

My advice? Carry a small chamois cloth in the plane at all times once it's flying.

While I usually can overcome the urge, this is one plane I'm going to touch.

She looks really clean in her lines, too, and suggests a very nice aircraft in the air.

[jimdc8]

What a sweet looking aircraft! Very nice work Todd!

Jim

[Todd copeland]

Thank you Jim!

[Todd copeland]

Update. Final assembly. Should be 4-6 weeks now until first flight. Getting excited for sure.

[Todd copeland]

Getting close to first engine run and taxi tests. My approach has been to completely finish the project before certain mile stones like engine run. Should be a few weeks away now.

[Todd copeland]

Now it's really alive! FAA inspection next week, first flight imminent!

[Todd copeland]

It's really alive now! After fiver years of building it is gratifying to run the engine. Second engine run here. http://youtu.be/HhtTQrHjPGg. FAA inspection next week, first flight imminent.

[Todd copeland]

Really alive now! First flight soon, inspection this week. http://youtu.be/HhtTQrHjPGg

[Todd copeland]

It's really alive now! After fiver years of building it is gratifying to run the engine. Second engine run here. http://youtu.be/HhtTQrHjPGg

[Todd copeland]

It's really alive now! After fiver years of building it is gratifying to run the engine. Second engine run here. http://youtu.be/HhtTQrHjPGg

[Todd copeland]

Now it's really alive! Got my airworthiness today, first flight is imminent. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhtTQrHjPGg

[LooneyBird]

Beautiful! Nice work. Think you'll get the hours in before OSH?

[Frank Giger]

Got my airworthiness today

Woohoo!

[Todd copeland]

No chance for Oshkosh this year, I'm way too careful through the test flying. It took about two months on my Glastar to get 40 hours, might take longer in the Glasair.