THE MICROLAND THREAD..."Home of the Tailwinds"

[Bundy]

12.3 hours to go....

$#%@ it...winters coming!!

[mulderpm]

Magnificent flying this morning. WX was beaut Thanks Jaco and of course Faizel for the saam vlieg. Faiz, hope you and Ant enjoyed Delmas. I had to get to work...still only got in at 9. Fountains was chaos with all the Valentines gifts being handed out.

Hold thumbs for Sat

[BeanCounter]

Will be there Saturday for the bring and braai. Bundy, I hope it is not just the 3 of us that are going to vote

I'll be there for the braai but the WX websites I use say we're going to start drinking early. Gusting 22 At least we'll have more time to work out how we're all going down for the Kalahari Bash Kom nou kerels, asb toe!
Faizel & Paul - Thanks for the flying this morning, it was great to get in the air again!

[Loco]

Thanks guys for some awesome flying, was very cool to fly to Delmas with Faizel

Bwahaha had to laugh when you guys were over the dam, Faizel asked "are you guys going back to ML after the dam?" & Paul answered "erm.... eventually yes!?"

[KlapperKnop]

Thanks Ant, Jaco, Paul for the flight this morning. When I returned, both Jaco and Paul left ML ....

[mulderpm]

Ja Faiz I had to get to work...thanks

Something interesting I read on the Rotax user forum regarding exhaust spring installation and it makes good sense:

"Squirt a good strip of automotive red high temp (RTV) silicone gasket sealer down the length of the spring. The safety wire must pass thru the centre of the spring and both ends of the hook attachment points. The reason for the safety wire is to keep the spring out of the prop should it break or come unhooked. The RTV keeps the spring from vibrating which contributes to their breaking, and holds all of the pieces together, especially the exhaust hook TIPS.

Using pliers to install the springs causes nicks which contributes to their breaking later. Use of a spring puller is suggested. It is tool that looks something like a screw driver which has a hook on the blade end used to grab the hook end of the spring when installing or unhooking the spring.

They may be straight or L shape - the L gives you more leverage. The tool could be fabricated our of some metal banding like they use to band crates for shipping or a flat blade screw driver by putting a notch in the side of the flat part.

A hockey skates-lace puller works really well for pulling the spring. I use a short piece of safety wire tied in a four inch end to end loop. The flexibility of the safety wire allows me to install and un-install springs with ease. For a handle, I use a medium size Phillips screwdriver. The wire may also be removed easily from springs in difficult locations too.

Rather than use safety wire, I use one length of 1/16" flexible cable on each exhaust joint that I lace through each eyelet and spring, and then swage with a nico press."

Although I did apply the Silicone Rubber on the springs, I did not apply it to the hooks and not liberally enough.
I also used a pair of locking pliers or long nose pliers to fit the springs. This left visible nicks in the hook of the spring. So leer mens

The gusset seems to have cured the cracking on the elbow (180* exhaust problem)

Hope this helps someone

[Bundy]

Funny you should post this Mulder...was just thinking the same thing the other day...with all the ruck en pluck to get the spring on we must surely "nick" or damage them....Im gonna modify a tent peg for this purpose.

I think the silicone idea does have merit too.

Jy's reg....So leer mens.

[mulderpm]

I battled with why the springs lasted 300 hrs and then once replaced one would break per flight.

More info in these articles.

[Bundy]

Here's an idea Paul...

Wrap the spring with insulation tape after installing the locking wire. Then fill the spring with silicone....when its dry you will be able to pull off the tape for a nice neat finish?

Hell, I'll give it a bash...

[Bundy]

Well.... in what is slowly becomming a tradition it seems....the forecast aint great...maar braai sal ons braai maatjies! Come rain or shine, gale force wind or hail....the Briquettes will burn and the smell of fresh chops and wors will fill the air.

On Sat, our merry band of aviators will walk away with an official name.(no matter how rediculous it may be )
We will discuss the goals we want to achieve, and how we gonna get there!
We will accept Jaco's Nomination as the "Treasurer"...thanks for volunteering Sir
We will design the new Braai area....

and above all else....we will have some laughs and a good jol.

Honesty Bar is open and ready....see you buzzards in the morning.

[Conrad]

hoe laat ?

[Bundy]

We start the fire at around 10h30 usually Connie....kom kuier saam chom, vrou en kinders welkom natuurlik

[mulderpm]

Here's an idea Paul...

Wrap the spring with insulation tape after installing the locking wire. Then fill the spring with silicone....when its dry you will be able to pull off the tape for a nice neat finish?

Hell, I'll give it a bash...

I like that idea. The only problem, in my case I use a reusable cable loop with a ring at the end. The silicone will join the cable to the spring. Also, the trick will be to secure the end pieces, the hook tip. They break off just where the curly part of the spring starts and go through the prop regardless of the locking cable/wire.

Ja WX does not look good...but that only impacts on the flying...ons gaan braai. After all the lapa is weather proof. I will stock up the fridge with the "other" types of beer before we start. Honesty bar will be available Dawid, daar sal Black Labels wees...moenie worry nie

[afterburn]

Joe drink daai "Whoesie" unleaded Castle thingies. Ek weet nie of mens dit bier kan noem nie maar as 'n mens dom is moet jy suffer

[mulderpm]

Joe drink daai "Whoesie" unleaded Castle thingies. Ek weet nie of mens dit bier kan noem nie maar as 'n mens dom is moet jy suffer

Light of heavy? Castle Light is soos "making love in a rowing boat"....f#@k!!g close to water. Sal vir hom een of twee kry..hoop dit word nie vrot nie.