Microlighters

Hi,

I used to have a Hall Brothers ASI/windmeter, one just like this:



Unfortunately it didn't survive the Conties' tornado last year and I'm deliberating whether it is worth getting one from Hall Brothers directly, which would cost in the range of R500 by the time it's landed in Cape Town or should I rather go for a "proper" ASI just for a bit more cash (which means rebuilding the instrument pod, though). Is the Hall's windmeter available in SA perhaps at a reasonable price?

Cheers,

V.

There is a very lekka fullWX station (which needs PC) avaial locally for R2K. Why not go whole hog? If guys club together, I am sure you can find old laptop which can run off trickle charger and add cheapie GPRS and you don't have to drive all the way to find WX is K@K. It does some forecasting (basic) as well...
La Crosse 2350 I think. I had one installed at Harties, but sold it with the house..

http://www.lacrossetechnology.fr/en/P-2 ... tions.html

Hmm, I actually want to use the 'windmeter' as an cheap alternative to an ASI gauge on my trike.

oops....

No worries, the word 'windmeter' is indeed very misleading ...

Also known as the "birdfeeder" asi.

I flew a tiger moth which has one of these contraptions... maybe a trike version could be fashioned...

Can't get more accurate then Hall Bro's.

V, build your own. Very cheap, R 40.00. You might have to play around a bit. It does not have to be as long (vertically) as the one you had. 50cc Injection from your Vet. Plug the open end and drill 3mm hole in front at bottom. Insert knitting needle or similar with small kids game disc. The disc's OD must be smaller than the injections ID to allow airflow from the drilled hole through to the injection outlet. Fly with buddy and calibrate to his ASI with marker pen.

Alternative: Google Wills Wing Hang Gliders in USA. Very good chance that they will send you one free of charge. I stand corrected, but theirs VNE at 90MPH.

Aviation Engines - Now Comet used to supply them. We have been looking for one as aparently it is standard equipment for trike competition flying and we will be rookie competitors this year. Asked Mike Blyth to bring one to the competition next week for us, but they have none in stock, and he will not be there anyway.

We looked into making one ourselves, but the tube is actually slightly conical, which makes sense, as the faster you go, the more air has to bleed past the disc for the same rise. A straight bore would just blow the disc out the top..

We have borrowed one from Larry McG and the thing is very accurate - matching GPS speeds pretty closely. Flew a practice navex this morning, and it was useful to set up airspeeds to compensate for wind to get our times accurate over features & turn-points.

I will definitely keep trying to get one and let you know if successful

I've confirmed the shipping price with Halls Bros:

First Class International Mail with Registration $20.05 (delivery takes approximately 2 weeks)

Priority International with indemnity coverage $22.80 (delivery in 6 to 10 days approximately)

In my calculations (assuming that only VAT has to be paid on the items) at the current exchange rates it's going to cost around R550-R600 to bring one in. Actually, not a bad price for a quality piece of engineering, I guess, but still, if I look at it, it's not a lot of stuff for the money. I'll keep looking ...

V, did you get one ?

I found one in my old HG kit. Brand new.

PM if you're interested. Speed range ?

kloot piloot wrote:V, did you get one ?

I found one in my old HG kit. Brand new.

PM if you're interested. Speed range ?

Thanks kloot pilot, I managed to get one via the forum.

Cheers,

V.