Tex

Just doing some reading and there is a bit of talk on MC forums about NOT trying to gap iridium plugs... or at least being very careful.

Crikey! 17-20 bucks for those BR8EIX Is that a pack of 4?

I was reading and rereading this thread wondering why and what... still not real sure... I was advised (and rotax endorse) the BR8ES solid top. The key part was the solid top! Are these other options solid tops? Isn't the '8' the heat range: so don't those suggested above all burn the same in that range so the discussion on temp is confusing me

You might look at other models to assists in your plans, if you haven't seen it already the Swift is along the same lines as what you are talking about, the speeds will certainly be relevant: it is foot launch-able on the right hill and barely foot land-able in nil wind http://www.aeriane.com/ http://www.flixxy.com/unusual-aircraft-takeoff.htm

Here is a report on the glider going down out of Benalla but with the Lake Hume crash aircraft pictured... http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/pilot-80-hailed-a-hero-after-narrow-miss/2408453.aspx

I certainly had some expert assistance with the set up, a Lame/CFI and user of these props. We just shot a small laser mounted on a palm sized piece of board from the tip and inboard about 100mm to some cardboard mounted on the wall with a small dot marked on it (maybe 7m away) to get them all the same. Not as easy as some systems but effective and the result is well with in tolerances. I have to check the torque the prop bolts and loosen those nylocks to do it. Would you consider that one of the 'uses' used up on that maintenance? These ones also have the 'duratuff' leading edges.

Hey Maj, I have a Rotax coolant bottle I bought with the engine and just need to make up a bracket for it... anyone provide some pictures or ideas of their set up?? The Bolly Blades appear very well made and IMHO look great in shape and form (by my untrained eye), with the lighter hub it makes a very efficient package. They are ground adjustable and go together very easily with sufficient instructions (and tech details) to assemble it no time and fit to the engine. We used a laser light to pitch it up on the ground and make adjustments... which is what takes the real time, torque up the bolts check and loosen, adjust, torque up etc. Using max RPM on the ground we snuck up on a coarser setting than the Brolgas standard 17deg pitch. Set at about 6500 on the ground we torqued up the blade grip bolts (11n) and the hub plate bolts (13n) and took it for a run. It now pulls about 6600RPM on take off at 50kts and will drop back to about 6500 at 40kts climb out. Straight and level it winds up a little more to maybe 6700. So I still need to make it a touch coarser than where it is to get the set up I want, would like to take another 100RPM off those numbers. You can tell the efficiency gain you get with the three blades straight away just in the noise, much pleasanter sound than the screaming banshee 4 blade. Of course the truth is in the pushing and it definitely drives off the mark with more authority. With the Brolga I used to just steadily but quickly wind on the power right through to full throttle but the Bolly getts the aircraft rolling earlier I think, so I tend to be a bit slower on the power input to diminish (or control) the slightly increased torque effect. At climb out around 50-55kts 6600 you are looking at about 800fpm+ on the VSI and can drag it into the air at 1000 with no real problem. Power on (5000RPM) stalls the prop will want to cavitate at about the same time the nose wants to drop. In cruise it is maintaining 5700-5800 for 65kts but I want that RPM a touch lower in the 5600-5700 range... Haven't done any long range flying yet to check fuel efficiency. In the ground effect and glides it seems to wind mill a little less and with the reduced drag of three blades it seems to float on a bit longer. They are a good buy and good price worth the change out of the Brolga even if you just had the urge I reckon. But new stuff is always good:bounce:

I made the attached for nav and fuel assistance if anyone is interested. Print double sided and you get 4 per A4 sheet for a small knee board/strap. Flight Plan Time Sheet Fuel Trans .pdf Flight Plan Time Sheet Fuel Trans .pdf Flight Plan Time Sheet Fuel Trans .pdf

Sure, good points I use the WAC and VTC's as back up, my thoughts on the blue tooth receiver is only that it becomes redundant, as I think the iPad itself is more vulnerable than its GPS reception, having a stand alone one is sure to help . Of course, all just a stop gap for dead reckoning, I really enjoy navigating the 'old way' so no arguments from me about that.

I checked them both out and at first had the WiFi only and hotspot to iPhone (4), even if the iPhone loses phone service the GPS link will still work. The down side is you can lose your Hotspot link pretty easily and it can be a nuisance to link them up again while flying, I traded up to the the WiFi 3G ONLY to have the in built GPS. I still just hotspot to the phone if internet is required. Yes, by the time you buy a WiFi only iPad and then the separate GPS module you are nearly at the same price as the iPad WiFi 3G. Personally one device to look after and to reduce size just the WiFi 3g is better for me. My advice is a definite GO for the WiFi 3G.

Interesting question David (Mason) and answer David, I don't know, but I wonder also: is it really creating a wind milling effect at high AoA and slow speed?

Yes you will. People must be getting sick of looking at all my stuff

Yeh it is, but I don't think you can get them anymore in that configuration, pretty sure it was a run out with some generic ANR headset that works a treat. The visor is a complete misfit though, it didn't go up far enough and went down to far so I had to mod it a little. There was also some wind noise that I fixed off the edge of the visor near the earphones where you can see some 'faux' carbon fibre but is just vinyl stick on stuff. My sister is wearing the Recreational Flying headset that just arrived today and they are a bargain... I will have to mod the headset plug on the plane though as it is set to mono and the headset is stereo.

Took my sister for a fly. Sorry Pud forgot to measure the radiator

HAHA I know the Maxairs are light... but cut me some slack... apples with apples... SB and WB 55 rego at least My other aircraft weighs 34kg and stalls at 18kts, shame it doesn't have an engine

Looks good hey? The hub is the lighter one, the prop and hub are very high quality. Indeed they are the cone type filters. Yes EGT probes are enroute, I had the clamp type arrangement on the old engine so have ordered some new screw in type (good price too if anyone needs some I can link it). Not sure on the radiator Pud but I am pretty sure it is the standard size... will check the dimension for you this arvo.

Thanks Tomo. YES I was a very good boy skeptic36 She weighs in at 270kg (weighed one month ago) a bit less now with out the Oil injection bottle and bracket gone, but I will be putting on a coolant over flow so it will get a little of that back. Pretty FAT compared to the WB and others but the skins and set up on this (done by Wayne fisher) are excellent! No rudder trim at all, very little Drifter woffle, except at higher AoA and slower speed max climb in the 40-45kt range and it then smooths out again a few knots before it nears stall. VERY floaty and sensitive (pitch) in the run out before flare on landing with stall at about 35kts with ME in the front. Quite a clean machine. All turns and stalls: powered, unpowered and in turns are predictable and respond exactly as you would expect. I can't help but think I got a real winner in this plane, but then it is mine so maybe I am just a proud father

New Engine and Prop

Nice pressie! I use a program called 'Format Factory' (free) to convert the mp4's to AVI files and then I just use Windows Movie Maker and add music in there as well. You can use Format Factory to change music files as well if you need to. I have tried Pinnacle Studio but it kept crashing on me... whatever you use make sure you SAVE YOUR PROJECT REGULARLY! They all crash some time or another usually when you are just about finished...

Yeh nice, atmosphere... Colours and all!

No, not any sort of 'wind layer' at ground level or with 5ft difference. There may be some parasitic drag that would effect the lower wind strength and direction indication but with 1kt of wind expect the wind socks at that distance to point in any direction, all directions and opposite directions. With 1kt pic the average between the two and use that as direction... I don't fly thrusters but what you are describing I would treat as 'light and variable' and land or take off on the best direction for the strip and all but forget about the windsocks and just fly the plane and picture. Edit: I do not think what you describe at Benalla are different 'layers' but would be turbulence and convective/thermic activity.

Bugger that Tomo, I let him fly it in there!!!... you blokes can have that strip all to yourselves

HAHA

There is simply not enough Drifter pics being posted... Bush Jack Here is a free tip everyone should reflect upon: DON'T KICK COMBINE HARVESTERS!