Mark

Yeah, I have my panel in and about to do the wiring. I bought the AeroVee trim system and their spinner (which is solid ally and quite heavy). There was a bit to do to get the brakes operational. I am going to try motor bike hand leavers to give independent braking, mounted on the floor under my knees. Starting to think about fabric. Mark

Still building ..... Hi Brett, My Aerovee is sitting on the front now and has been there for a while now. I have built the cowls and made cut outs for the rocker covers to fit through. Maybe one day I will shape the fiberglass around them. I have fitted a Sweetapple prop 56"D x 38"P. Fitting the leading edges onto the wings this weekend and had the seats covered this week. It is all coming together slowly. Mark

Hi Ducks, and other Aeropup builders, I wanted to ask is there any good reason for making the port side panel hinged rather than being fixed like the starboard side? I guess it is intended for access to the back of the firewall and the rudder pedals but I question is this needed once the plane is built? My concern is that it may take a bit more work to make and I thought a good chance that it might become a bit untidy over time for little advantage. Any thoughts? And if you are looking for a destination in NSW you can drop in here at Inverell. I have plenty of room in the hangar at Warialda (YWRL)if you want to stay over. Regards, Mark

Good work Brett. I have just about done all I can do on my wings until I get the fuselage in July. I have my Aerovee motor half built with the crank case together. This weekend I plan to have the barrels and heads on and and the flywheel and electrics together and it will be all done. Mark

Good news Brett, where do you think you will start? Mark

Good one Brett, I am sure we will be able to make things work out well. Mark

Hi Brett, No Brett, I have not considered how it will fit inside the cowl however I expect a bit of fibreglass work will sort things out. My biggest concern is the engine mount. Paul has also contacted me re the aerovee and if it became a popular engine option then maybe JC could be persuaded to manufacture the mount as an option to buyers. I think the motor offers affordable 80 hp in a simple robust motor. The kit is well supported with manual, DVD etc and Sonex proved very good to deal with. It took 6 months from ordering to receiving by sea freight. You need to add approximately AU$2000 to the US$ price for exchange rate and freight. Regards, Mark

Hi Paul, I have not been at this site for a few days however I am making progress on the wings. I have also posted some photos on a blog at http://marksaeropup.blogspot.com I glued the spars to the rib on the right wing this week and am now working out how to drill the holes for the bracing pockets. I found it took quite a long time to get all the ribs assembled, painted etc. I have found Paul McGuire at Aviation Parts & Equipment (Ph 0297962733) very helpful and excellent service for supply of materials. Happy building, Mark

Hi Ducks, Congratulations on getting the Aeropup to this stage. I have followed your progress over the last 12 months on Leighs Airlines site. I have just begun my Aeropup project this month and like Paul I have begun with the timber work on the ribs. I often visit Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast and would appreciate the opportunity to have a look at the finished product. It is likely that I will be up that way towards the end of this month. Would it be possible to meet, have a look and ask a few questions? Regards, Mark

Sounds good Paul, are you going to seal/paint the timber ribs in any way? Would need to be a product compatible with the solvents/products used for the wing fabric. Mark

Hi Fellow Builders, My wing kit arrived in three heavy boxes last week. It looks as though I have plenty to start with however there was no list of contents to check off against and the folded aileron sheets were not a matched pair. Something I will sort out with John in due course. I have located a small magnetic (to hold the sheet in place) folding machine in town and folding the aileron and flap ribs will be the first job next weekend. If I can work out how I will post a couple of photos. How did the factory seem Paul? I intend to pick-up the fuselage and have a look then. Mark

Forum members, Good news, I received an email from John Cotton to say that my wing kit is crated and ready for dispatch. I am currently making freight arrangements to get this part of the kit here to me in Inverell, NSW before Christmas. I have holidays in January so the timing is quite good. My Aerovee motor is on the docks in Brisbane and should be ready for release next week. Both kits should arrive here about the same time. Mark

Paul McGuire at Aviation Parts and Equipment in Sydney 0297962733 and Aviaquip in Melbourne are both able to supply all fabric and covering requirements for both popular US systems. Mark

Hi Paul & Brett, I purchased my order at the end of June and still no word from JC about a delivery date. There may be a message in that for us all. When I last spoke with John, two weeks ago, it seemed the wings were not far away. I was planning to freight this part of the kit to me here in Inverell NSW so that I could get started and then travel down to the factory in January to pick up the fuselage etc. My Aerovee motor is half way across the Pacific on a boat to arrive in Brisbane port at the end of November. It will be fun to track each other progress, I plan to post photos on this forum. Regards, Mark

Hi Brett, No not yet. I was speaking to John Cotton on the weekend and he was suggesting that issues with the supply of folded ailerons and flaps and welded fuel tanks were nearly resolved and so my wing kit was 'not far away now'. I guess I will just have to wait and see. The aerovee motor is sitting in a container on the wharf at Los Angeles and should be in Brisbane by the end of November. I expect that I will be underway with the project by December. Mark