I went with FlyLED lighting–The Works. This system requires you build just about everything from scratch, which excited me. The soldering, the fabrication–still, somehow after two-plus years of building I still have appetite for more. I will say, the entire process took longer than I would have thought. There was a lot to this kit, […]
It has been a while since I’ve provided an update. Work continues to fill out the panel, and run all the necessary wiring throughout the airplane. I want to get all the wire run and components installed that I can before working on the plane becomes much tighter. (With skins on, and other components installed.) […]
Well, it may be a bit premature, but I got a prop. The Whirlwind three-blade constant speed is about as close to a dream prop as I’ll ever get. I definitely went over-budget here, but folks said this would be the biggest performance upgrade I can expect–the most bang for my dollar. While I’d love […]
Twas a big day. No smoke–heck not even any hiccups. The system powered up and expected components were talking. Configurate brought other elements online, while some (pitot/static, OAT, engine related sensors) will have to wait. Truly an exciting day. One of the biggest, I’d say, since I started this project. Listening to overhead traffic on […]
Antennas are wired. This is a big step towards powerup. The antennas are required, from what I’ve heard, as adding power–and more specifically transmitting–without an antenna can damage certain sensitive electronics. Doublers were created for each antenna out of .032″. This is lighter that I likely should have used, but they seem stout. Too think […]
The center tunnel of this thing is giving me grief. The thought of the main wire runs that need to make it through here (imaged above in the white chafe skin) alongside brake, fuel, pitot/static, etc. are anxiety inducing. I’ve tried to make some foam organizers, but the foam isn’t rigid enough. I like the […]
At this point most of the components are installed and hooked up. Still not quite ready for first power up, as there are remaining loose ends. The punch list on the way to power up is long, but I seem to be cruising along pretty well.
I added the air vents by custom fabricating some brackets out of carbon fiber. OK, so Send-Cut-Send did the fabrication, but I designed and installed them. I love the look of some limited (and functional) carbon fiber accents. The vents came from Stein, and were the ultra expensive aluminum versions, but worth every penny. Installing […]
It didn’t take long to start laying out the components in the plane. Looking at the subpanel, panel, and stack, I started to fit in what I could. This part is getting really exciting, thought the mess of everything is giving me anxiety. I don’t know if I’m more excited to get everything in so […]
The power distribution is in, via two fuse panels. Power is supplied to both in one main bus. (No endurance or ramp power here.) Fuses are chosen of simplicity and cleanliness of a breaker panel. Also, the phrase “never give an electrical fire a second chance,” referring to the practice of resetting breakers in flight […]