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aj_richo

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  1. aj_richo

    Sonex - Rotax

    aj_richo replied to TJay's topic in Sonex

    Hi TJay, There are a few Rotax powered examples in Europe that I know of, have a search for youtube videos floating about of Spanish, Norwegian Rotax-turbo and an Israeli doing aeros. I know of one Aussie builder who was going down that path a few years ago but I don't think he ever finished his project. Most of us here opt for Jabiru, Aerovee and other VW based variants. Regards Tony
  2. aj_richo
    Since the MiniMax has a small amount of aluminium and steel, I wouldn't go all out on prep and prime work. Clean it up good and shoot some etch primer on it, then a top coat lacquer or something to seal. As an example of what some might call overkill, the majority of my Sonex is 6061-T6 aluminium. All interior and mating surfaces were prepped with Prekote, then spray painted with Wattyl Super Etch in one or two fine coats (weight). The biggest downside was the amount of time it took to scrub, rinse, dry, paint, dry, assemble! Manufacturers will tell you 6061 does not corrode... but it does.. just let some fine dust accumulate on it in the shed and let cold moist air settle on it.. how fast can you say filliform? Although Wattyl super etch is supposed to be an epoxy it is quite soft and can be removed with methylated spirits or even thread cutting oil. In the cockpit area I clear coated it. If I were to build again I probably would only prime mating surfaces. For me alodine and alumiprep were too hazardous to use. Regards Tony
  3. aj_richo
    Brian Degenhardt is a legend signwriter, Rans and Vans builder - he did the vinyl work for my Sonex. http://sonexaus.wikispaces.com/file/view/Richo_will_it_fly.JPG Although he is based in Adelaide, I don't see why he couldn't knock you up a unique scheme. http://www.daytonasigns.com.au/aviation.php
  4. aj_richo
    No worries, cheers Ian
  5. aj_richo
    Hi Ian, Does the search engine need re-indexing? I searched for Jabiru and had 1 hit..? That just cannot be right..
  6. aj_richo
    Well done Chris, good luck with it all! If only it were on the eastern side of Mt Lofty ranges I'd be in!
  7. aj_richo
    Hey Tomo.. cheap Thruster here.. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ingham/miscellaneous-goods/thruster-ulrtalight/1058647291
  8. aj_richo
    Hi Yenn, Basically no, they give some suggested experience and hours in command prior to conducting a test flight in the recent Flight Test Guide on page 5. Some parts of the guide I don't agree with, but I will be using it as a reference for my Sonex test flights. Its based on the FAA's AC 80-89 which I have also printed out for reference. http://www.raa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Flight-Test-Guide-Issue1.pdf Regards Tony
  9. aj_richo
    Yeah Ok it was an oblique reference to bundling.. "where all the wires are together and fuse some together"
  10. aj_richo
    Circuit breakers work on heating a bi-metallic strip, if the current is an instantaneous high Amp load it will trip immediately. If the current is a few amps over the rating, it may take minutes to trip. Resetting a breaker in that mode can cause more problems as you tend to believe the problem is just a "trippy" breaker and not a sustained overload problem. Although, if you reset it continually the pop time will decrease as the bimetal strip stays hot between resets. I would add to Nevs comment about wire bundling to use Tefzel, or similar aircraft standard wire, definitely not PVC automotive wire!
  11. aj_richo
    Saturday 4 Oct 14 took Sonex 19-8213 for its first flight at Callington Airstrip SA, after an 8 year on/off build. 3 circuits and 6-7 landings in warm and moderately windy weather for 32 minutes flight time logged. Airframe and the Jab 2200 performed well. No 3 CHT was a little high on runup and climbout it got to 180C but lowering the nose got it back to 150C. Pretty normal for Sonex aircraft, a little work with baffling should fine tune the airflow. Only 24.5 Hours to go... looking forward to getting out and about! Will it fly.. ready to go waiting for wind to drop. Yup.. it did! On final to runway 34 Taxi back in They call this the "Sonex Grin"
  12. aj_richo
    Google the Vertex VXA 220 manual? It suggests it can use VOX instead of PTT with headset, and has to use the Yaesu cable adapter, apparently it has unique connections.
  13. aj_richo
    GOTT IN HIMMEL.. that was my favourite Commando Comic type book story!!
  14. aj_richo
    Should leave it on all the time.. looks like an authentic castor oil burner
  15. aj_richo
    For info if anyone wants confor/temper foam these guys have it in WA. http://specialtyfoams.com.au I bought pink and blue in 25mm, and sewed my own cushions for my project. Expensive but quite comfortable.
  16. aj_richo
    Aircraft Spruce have northern and southern hemisphere selections on most if available. If you can get your hands on a Winjeel standby compass, it has a top mount suitable for attachment to a windscreen bow.
  17. aj_richo
    G'day Craig, The very last page of the Jabiru Overhaul Manual summarises all the changes to date, by serial number.. http://www.jabiru.net.au/Manuals/Engine/JEM0001-6_Overhaul_Manual.pdf There is another document that has changes by date, but hasn't been amended since 2009 as far as I can see. http://www.jabiru.net.au/Manuals/Engine/Summary%20of%20significant%20engine%20changes%20May%2009.pdf
  18. aj_richo
    put your coffee down then... the last bit dropped off.. I could sit here for a bit and list the quirks but the most irritating one is dialing the key start and then 2 seconds later having the starter (black body) kick in, try that when topping up your battery charge or needing to dial frequencies, yet if I do anything else the starter doesn't kick in for minutes draining my battery - and it's not adjustable. Crappy dipstick also, mind you it takes so long to open what you wanted to measure has gone. I already knew some of this from my mates Jabiru but the only reason I got one also is because of Fly-Tornado who is brilliant and I talk to and message him everyday in on here for free but now that FT supports Rotax .... iOverit.
  19. aj_richo
    If Apple made Jabiru Aircraft Engines... Complaints like: I have had one for a year and gone through 3 useless Jabiru updates each time making my Jabiru painfully worse, get on the internet seeking help to find thousands with the same issue and never a resolve from Jabiru. Go look for the "Trust this Engine?" issue, can't run my own engine without being asked everytime Choke ON?, and actually start is rejected most times, what a joke, what was that Jabiru nerd on thinking I don't know the engine I have just manually squirted etherstart into my engine from? Seriously, have your own engine constantly reject your start attempts and see how you feel about it. I download my fuel now by sending them to my jerrycan first. I have tried all the suggested remedies to no avail but my question is even if I did have appropriate fuel, what about when i go to use someone else's aircraft and they don't. My last Jabiru started everytime on it's own battery and worked on any fuel, simple as. Now a week ago had a Rotec TBI fitted and it's slowed it down so badly, above what it had already been slowed to, as to be nominated as frustratingly useless, been tempted to throw it as far as I can a few times since - sick of it and going to get an Ellison throttle body next week.
  20. aj_richo
    I'm glad Apple aren't in the aircraft engine business
  21. aj_richo
    Brand new aircraft rego for a kit built Sonex, sent documentation from Adelaide on the 3 Sep 14 via Express Post. Registration advice by email received today 18 Sep 14. Assuming they received it on the 4th.. 14 days to process! I'm pretty happy, didn't expect anything until October!
  22. aj_richo

    Smoke oil

    aj_richo replied to flyerme's topic in Aerobatics

    If you use pesticide oil we'll have to rename you Mortein Man
  23. aj_richo
    Is differential braking with a single lever a conundrum?
  24. aj_richo
    Cheers thanks Aldo
  25. aj_richo
    No worries - thanks Ayavner, its a trust thing ha ha
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