Welding Tips and Tricks

When I see a clip like this, it makes me want to finish my project.
I'm building a similar experimental aircraft in my basement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z0cunTP5EQ

WerkSpace,

I feel the need to clarify for the uninitiated;

There is nothing "Experimental" about the majority of aircraft built at home. We're not strapping chainsaw motors and lawn chairs to hang-gliders and buzzing the local airport.

"Experimantal" is a government clasification for aircraft not built and certified in the traditional way. While this DOES allow you to design and build your own, completely from scratch, it still must be certified before it's allowed to fly. This means the CAA (in Canada) or the FAA (in U.S.) must inspect every aspect of it and sign off before it's allow to even make a test flight.

WerkSpace's plane is a proven design with a long history, but because it is homebuilt, must undergo the same rigorous inspections by CAA before he can fly it.

I just want to avoid anyone falling into the myth that "experimantal" aircraft are the half-cocked concoctions of homebrew mad scientists.

Steve S

Canada has one of the highest weight classes for ultralights. (1200lbs)
I can register this aircraft in a number of different ways.
Each type of registration has its advantages and disadvantages.

I belong to the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. (COPA)
http://www.copanational.org/files/COPAG ... lights.pdf

I have registered plans for both the CH701 and CH750 aircraft.
http://www.zenithair.com/stolch701/index1.html
http://www.zenithair.com/stolch750/index.html

My first aircraft will be registered BULA (Basic UltraLight Aircraft)
I will not be allowed to carry any passengers unless they are pilots.
There are no inspections or annual maintenance requirements.
There are lots of restrictions of where this aircraft can be flown.
I can modify my experimental aircraft, but I must wear a helmet.

It seems odd that the very same aircraft can be overwhelmed
with so many rules and inspections while registered in one way,
but have almost no rules when registered in another way.

When I was in Vietnam, my MOS was 67B20, airplane mechanic. If anyone was to build an airplane like this one, it would be an ultimate project. I have about 1500 hours in fixed wing and about 500 hours in rotary wing. It is the ultimate experience. There is nothing like flying. Of course, they are expensive to maintain. Flight logs, registration, flight plan fees, storage, etc. If you love flying, this would be the project to have.

I attended a meeting with the local Recreational Aircraft Association when they were discussing the annual cost of aircraft ownership.
The average was about $19,000 per year. This included hangar fees, annual maintenance, fuel, registration, NAV Canada fees, landing fees, etc, etc.
My comment to the crowd was that they were doing it all wrong. By registering BULA in Canada, I have eliminated most of the traditional aviation costs.

Where I live, guys often fly over the Rocky Mountains by following the highways. They sometimes get stranded by bad weather and have to find an alternate way home. They end up paying for an empty hangar at home and tie-down fees at some remote airstrip. It is sometimes weeks before they can spare the time to go back to retrieve their aircraft. My aircraft will be trailered to where I will do my flying. If it breaks down, I simply catch a ride back to the truck and trailer and go get my aircraft. (My idea is simple and very effective. Folding wings and trailered.)

My fuel is normal automotive fuel. My aircraft will have folding wings and be trailered and stored at my home. The tires are oversized Tundra tires, so I won't be requiring any traditional runways. My aircraft takes off in 80ft and lands in 100ft, so any short field or dirt road will do. It's basically a poor man's bush plane that is designed for having personal fun. The costs are dramatically reduced by not having any mandatory inspections or storage considerations.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3840313/Zenith-CH-701 <-- Some wise guy posted these plans here. (Not a smart idea.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbBb_IuT1_o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nymoOqhZ1jo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THK8w3_6PFU

CraigLam wrote:When I was in Vietnam, my MOS was 67B20, airplane mechanic. If anyone was to build an airplane like this one, it would be an ultimate project. I have about 1500 hours in fixed wing and about 500 hours in rotary wing. It is the ultimate experience. There is nothing like flying. Of course, they are expensive to maintain. Flight logs, registration, flight plan fees, storage, etc. If you love flying, this would be the project to have.

The world's tiniest twin engine aircraft used chainsaw engines.
I believe that 'Experimental' refers to non-certified aircraft.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/94267601/cri-cri

This aircraft is now being constructed with jet engines and electric engines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ucvKxLXejE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRVVdYU1c0M

Otto Nobedder wrote:WerkSpace, There is nothing "Experimental" about the majority of aircraft built at home. We're not strapping chainsaw motors and lawn chairs to hang-gliders and buzzing the local airport. I just want to avoid anyone falling into the myth that "experimental" aircraft are the half-cocked concoctions of homebrew mad scientists. Steve S

Yes, I've seen that aircraft, and it's quite a feat!

I was just trying to dispel a myth I've encountered that "experimental aircraft" = "CRACKPOT". Perhaps the chainsaw engine reference was not the best example...

BTW, that navigation method of following highways is what we call "Redneck IFR", meaning, "I Follow Roads..."

And if you see a small plane circle your town in a full 360, he's not sightseeing. He's lost, and trying to read your water tower!

Steve S

The following article is about my friend Calvin, who bought a homebuilt aircraft in Abbotsford and was attempting to fly it home thru the Rocky Mountains by following the Trans-Canada Highway. Calvin lost power just short of Field, British Columbia. He was almost home... He knew that the engine was not working properly, so he made a plan as to how to get the plane down safely.

Luckily, there were no cars coming towards him but there were a string of cars all in a line, going in his direction. At the front of this line of cars was a large transport truck. Calvin flew over top of everyone and landed safely on the highway. He was very concerned that he might get run over by the transport truck, so he tried to pull over to the opposite side of the road, to give the truck enough room to pass him.

Unfortunately, his type of aircraft, the Quickie has its wheels in the wingtips and he caught the soft shoulder which spun him around and over the embankment into the ditch whereby he struck a post and critically damaged his aircraft. He got two black eyes, a broken arm and a few broken ribs, but he is ok and was at the meeting to tell us his story. He is very lucky that he had a highway underneath him, or the outcome might not have been so favorable.

The cause of the engine loss of power was a throttle linkage that was not long enough, so the builder soldered an additional section to it, in order to extend the length. The solder broke loose from vibration and the result was that Calvin had no throttle control.
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/10/pl ... bc-highway
http://www.museumofflight.org/files/ima ... i_2_P1.jpg
http://www.scribd.com/doc/50402660/Avia ... tion-Plans

Otto Nobedder wrote: BTW, that navigation method of following highways is what we call "Redneck IFR", meaning, "I Follow Roads..."
And if you see a small plane circle your town in a full 360, he's not sightseeing. He's lost, and trying to read your water tower!
Steve S

My God! You're not helping dispel the "crackpot" thing, with that soldered throttle extension! I'm glad he's okay! And I'm not making fun of using highways for navigation... That's a natural part of VFR. I was just rehashing an old "IFR" joke.

Steve S.

Just please be careful. I knew a guy in the early 1990's. He was the Chief Engineer of Electronics and Fuel Handling at Ford Motor. (Great job with lots of responsibility and very good paycheck.) He was a huge build it yourself airplane guy. He spent five years of his life building a "kit" plane in his garage. I think he went to a bigger motor than normally used. He was a corporate sponsor to a location I worked in Ohio, we'd meet for lunch monthly or so. He was very excited about the upcoming completion of his project. This was a very smart guy, and very capable engineer. We spoke a lot about his plane over lunch.

I know they had to have a special pilot test the airworthiness of his plane. That inspection was coming up. What I heard was he decided to simply move the plane on the ground at a taxiway at the airport. Apparently he misjudged his speed, the plane became airborne, and he crashed into some trees. He was killed on the spot. I'm pretty sure this was 1994 or so at the Ann Arbor Michigan airport.

Sorry to be on a negative thought with this thread. Just be careful out there! --Zip.

Thanks for the advice.
As you can see in this video clip, planes can get airborne all on their own.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmT5ZjWdAr4

I started flying sailplanes when I was 16 and a few years ago I took up hang gliding.
My occupation for the last 30 years is flight simulation.
I have a bit of flight experience under my belt,
but I will be the first to admit that I am not a professional pilot.

My airplane project is just another thing on my bucket list.
I'm building a hovercraft, a 1934 Chevy Sedan and an airplane.
Those are only a few of my many projects that are just for fun.
The idea behind the projects is personal satisfaction, (there's no money in it.)

I often wonder why some people die young. Its not always their fault.
Next time that you are motoring down the highway, have a look at the oncoming car.
As he passes you, you are literally six feet from a 120 mph impact at any given moment.
So, the moral of this story is that you are in God's hands. Hang on and enjoy the ride.

Zipzit wrote:Just please be careful. I knew a guy in the early 1990's. He was the Chief Engineer of Electronics and Fuel Handling at Ford Motor. (Great job with lots of responsibility and very good paycheck.) He was a huge build it yourself airplane guy. He spent five years of his life building a "kit" plane in his garage. I think he went to a bigger motor than normally used. He was a corporate sponsor to a location I worked in Ohio, we'd meet for lunch monthly or so. He was very excited about the upcoming completion of his project. This was a very smart guy, and very capable engineer. We spoke a lot about his plane over lunch.

I know they had to have a special pilot test the airworthiness of his plane. That inspection was coming up. What I heard was he decided to simply move the plane on the ground at a taxiway at the airport. Apparently he misjudged his speed, the plane became airborne, and he crashed into some trees. He was killed on the spot. I'm pretty sure this was 1994 or so at the Ann Arbor Michigan airport.

Sorry to be on a negative thought with this thread. Just be careful out there! --Zip.