Jump to content

Soleair

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    557

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    8

 Content Type 

Everything posted by Soleair

  1. Soleair
    Great, thanks.
  2. Soleair
    Thanks for the replies, guys. Particularly liked the EAA article. I know some people don't rate the dear old VW lump, but there must be quite a few cumulative engine flying hours on them around the world. And they are satisfyingly 'low tech'. Bruce
  3. Soleair
    Does anyone have first hand - or even reliable secondhand - experience of running a 4 cylinder Hummel engine? At 147lbs (plus presumably exhaust, etc) for 85 hp their price of $5600 seems extremely attractive compared to the Rotax 'hewn from solid platinum' alternative. And yes, I realize that's US dollars, and the Aussie dollar is dropping like a stone. And that it costs an arm and a leg to import. And that there's minimal backup. But I still reckon I could buy 2 Hummels for one Rotax. So, does anyone fly behind one of these? Cheers Bruce
  4. Soleair
    Thanks, Pylon, good to know heels are a workable system. I don't know of any Lightwings hereabouts, but Google is my friend. Bruce
  5. Soleair
    Yes, could be an excellent way into aviation for electric power. I'd definitely be right at the front of the queue for an electric self launch glider. Especially one with clever folding wings and one of those trailer-cum-hangars. That'd be me sorted. Bruce
  6. Soleair
    Hmmm - sounds cunning. Thanks.
  7. Soleair
    Sorry to piggyback your thread, Doug. But it raises some interesting points for me, too. I'm using cable operated drum brakes. I sort of feel the braking action should happen with my feet, but toe brakes would be perhaps a bit overcomplicated. And heel braking seems awkward. Plus it would be easy to overload the light cable limit loads. I can see the advantages of joystick-mounted bake levers. I'm just struggling to visualize how I would operate them both individually to assist in taildragger ground handling, & simultaneously for braking. I would welcome your comments and at some point a pic if poss, Mr Koreelah, sir. Or is it all reasonably easy in practice, operating from the stick? Cheers Bruce
  8. Soleair
    Any danger of a pic, Mr Koreelah? I'm playing with ideas on braking now. I don't know how tricky it would be to use heel brakes, but that's my preference at the moment. Would love to hear from someone who uses heelbrakes.
  9. Soleair
    I'm surprised nobody has mentioned inverted (aerobatic) flight yet. Many aerobatic wings are symmetrical, relying on incidence to create lift.
  10. Soleair
    I second Dafydd's suggestion. It's worth going gliding for its own sake, but it will certainly make a better taildragger pilot of most. Bruce
  11. Soleair
    Excellent stuff. Thankyou very much. Bruce
  12. Soleair
    Nice one Oscar - but this one is better. I flew in Snoopy for 8 years and we never once had trouble with roos! Bruce
  13. Soleair
    Hi Bill, & welcome to a great sport - and this board. Re your interest in a secondhand XAir, this guy is is in Queensland & is selling a Thruster you might like: see here cheers Bruce
  14. Soleair
    Oh dear. Just when I was getting all excited. . . Bruce
  15. Soleair
    Nice to have money.
  16. Soleair
    Come on, Bex - you're just anxious it might work!
  17. Soleair
    Well, I s'pose the crankshaft rotates?
  18. Soleair
    I reckon that pilot's flown a couple of times before. . .
  19. Soleair
    Wow.....!!
  20. Soleair
    Blimey - look at the specs on this ! So all they need is someone to build it, a few years troubleshooting, and it's jam tomorrow - yaay! Meanwhile, anyone got an exhaust to sell for a 503? Bruce
  21. Soleair
    I guess that's the problem with flying by numbers. . .
  22. Soleair
    Given that the general direction of both written & spoken English seems to be to contract or abbreviate the language, how has the recent habit of adding superfluous prepositions come about? I find it so annoying to hear (or read) phrases such as " I returned the book back to the library" or "They divided up the food" and so on. The verb 'return' means, in one sense, "to bring back" - so why say 'return back'? To divide something necessarily means to 'split up' - again, the 'up' in the example given earlier is just not needed. Why use more words than you need to? Just return the book or divide the food. I guess this started with the phrase "include me in". But this was said tongue-in-cheek, as the alternative is clearly to "include me out", which is of course self-contradictory. Nurse - where's my medication?! Bruce
  23. Soleair
    I'm enjoying your observations, and your prose, Duncan. Any danger of a link to some of Mr McGinnis' work? Bruce
  24. Soleair
    Hi Dsam, and welcome to the site. There's lots of very learned people here who have a broad range of knowledge and experience. Like you, I'm a returned grey pilot. I started flying hangliders in the mid 70's and then imported a Pterodactyl microlight kit from the States. I built the kit in my shed, then taught myself to fly it (long time before there were any schools). I went into conventional flying when I was with a light aircraft company. I got my PPL and had lots of fun flying all over England. That was many years ago, but 3 years ago I spent a summer flying gliders and got to solo standard. I've now retired to rural NSW. But I'm building a MiniMax and looking forward to some low and slow flying around this beautiful part of the country. It's great to be old and have time to do things! Bruce
  25. Soleair
    Sorry, Mark - I haven't been on this forum for a while. I'm using a 503. I bought it a having just had a top end overhaul after 110 hours. I still need an exhaust and ignition coil for it, so any replies welcomed. I suppose a 582 would have to be my next choice. Or getting the 503 relifed properly. All gets down to $$$$ Whyfor your interest? Bruce
×
×
  • Create New...