Microlighters

Other than introducing another kid to the family, I have managed to do a bit of quiet (don't wake the sleeping baby) building.

I saw an aluminum scoop vent from an RV 10 kit that I wanted to add to the Zodiac 650 as I don't want to mess around with the fragile canopy installing a scoop there. The scoop might be overkill but with a canopy the size of the 650 it is likely to be very hot under there. I have fabricated a location for the cabin air bowden cable control which will push/pull the scoop's lever open and closed. Unfortunately due to the construction of the scoop there might be a tiny gap but I have ordered a couple of springs to hold the scoop door shut in tension but they might not be needed if the bowden cable does the job on its own.

Fabricated and installed a matching (mirror) location for the eyeball vent purchased from Spruce at a R1000 a piece it is sh*t expensive but a well made piece of kit. The intention is that the scoop provides cabin air to the torso of the occupant and the eyeball vent provides air the face.

The last photograph is one of the set up of the throttle quadrant. The vast majority of Zodiacs utilise a vernier throttle which I am not particularly keen on so I have ordered and received the lever style throttle with mixture control. This means that I have had to fabricate a centre console to support the throttle quadrant. The last photo is a progress to date photo and was made using cardboard templates which when cut accurately were transferred onto the aluminium.

Scotsman wrote:Do you think it would take the fuse as you have seen the size of it?

Tell you what

When I have moved I will get you to the airfield and you can have a look for yourself.
It should fit, A bit tight but it will fit.

Is it one of the T- hangars are BaraG? I don't think it will fit in a T-hangar with the Sunbird.

Cool

I have my VP in there and there is still some space.
But no worries.
Offer is still open.

Hi Scotsman
Are you a member of EAA Chapter 973 (Krugersdorp ??? AIRFIELD)
See their is progress with the build
Regards
Big Mac

Yep...don't know about the chapter number though but I am a member of the EAA one at Krugersdorp. Not many of the members are actually building which is a bit of a shame really as I think there are only three or four max people building within the chapter.

Big Mac wrote:Hi Scotsman
Are you a member of EAA Chapter 973 (Krugersdorp ??? AIRFIELD)
See their is progress with the build
Regards
Big Mac

Hi Big mac

Yes it is Chapter 973 Krugersdorp.

Hi Tailspin
I will try to attend the next meeting if Scotsman is tgere please introduce him to me
Regards
Big Mac

Big Mac wrote:Hi Tailspin
I will try to attend the next meeting if Scotsman is tgere please introduce him to me
Regards
Big Mac

WILCO

Hi Scotsman
Any progress
Regards
Big Mac

Hey Big Mac..was off line for a couple of days recently. Not much progress to date but pretty much finalised the instrument panel display with the exception of changing the cubby hole/hatch on the right hand side to a small slave screen (like the DVD player screens you see in the back of headrests in the car). Checking out the prices before I decide.

My contact details are o eight 3 675 o eight 15 if you want to give me a bell.

Was at Zynskraal today after my first flight in a weight shift microlight (very cool), discussing the panel with Bundu in order to get a CAD design created and professionally cut.

Still waiting for the Airgizmo docking station for the iPod from the States...

Spent the last few days attempting to install some form of custom flashing to pretty up the front of the canopy. The plans purely call for the front canopy hoop which is then visible through the canopy and doesn't really look great so I have been working on a fix to that.

I did not want to lose the visibility through the triangular gap between the canopy arm, instrument panel and canopy hoop so I have made a cut out in the flashing to keep this open. The interior photo gives you an idea of what I am talking about. The rubber trim on the exterior will run all the way across the front edge of the flashing (hence the gap) to ensure a tight seal.

There are a couple of cock ups on the flashing and I will remake the piece (mainly to remove both the join and cover the gap between the forward canopy arm cover and the flashing (d'oh). Think it looks good...any suggestions?

wow James, you a loong way down the road on your build. She's looking great! I am seriously looking forward to doing my fuse after seeing your pics. regards martin

Thanks Martin, two and half years to date (plus my two children were born in that period) so not exactly a fast build but the fuselage is pretty cool especially making airplane noises with the canopy closed.

On Tuesday of next week I will going to Bundu at Zynkraal to learn and wire the wiring harness for the fuselage. Should be pretty interesting.

Managed to get some semblence of a workshop installed in the garage in the last few days with all my toys. Looking good but leaves no more excuses for not building!