December 2009

01.12.2009: I am back from Australia. Even though that little trip meant no progress in building the plane I non the less enjoyed two weeks of escape from the Swiss November weather (42 degrees in Adelaide, 32 in Sydney). But as on any business trip I was quite busy, so even the intention to work on the schematics remained an intention. I am however highly motivated now that I am back to go full speed ahead again.

03.12.2009: Rolf and I managed to spend a full day at the airport today. We started by taking the left wing from the wing stand to install the landing light.

Here a view of the oval hole in the leading edge of the wing, into which the light goes. Rolf installed the nuts first, and then the light. We then went to a local shop to buy Plexiglass to make the landing light covers.

And here the result of the first fitment of the cover. The glass does not yet have a perfect shape, but that's no big deal to do.

I then installed the (hopefully) last antenna on our plane. As we decided to fit a FLARM collision warning system we need an antenna by which the FLARM onboard unit communicates with other FLARM's. Gliders typically use a small toothpick antenna mounted on the dashboard, but for GA airplanes an external antenna is recommended.

As onboard unit we chose the ECW 100 from Ediatec, as it fits into a standard 57 mm hole. Ediatec recommends a shark fin antenna mounted on top of the airplane to maximize range. The only suitable location I cold find for the antenna is right behind the canopy, to I removed three rivets there. I replaced the outer ones with flush rivets and enlarged the centre hole for the BCD connector.

In then installed the antenna, as can be seen below.

I also installed the FLARM into the panel between the backup ASI and altimeter, as can be seen below.

This makes the panel complete, now I just have to do the wiring, as well as make all the placards that go onto the panel..

The FLARM indicates with a circle of LED's the direction where a potential collision hazard has been detected, as well as the relative altitude between the current altitude and the target (in hundred feet above / below). It also interfaces to the intercom for an audible alarm. There is also an obstacle database in the unit (important in the mountains, where there are many cables), as well as a logger that records flight data on a memory stick.

The main reasons for installing a FLARM are that gliders are extremely difficult to spot, and that the insurance gives a rebate on the total premium if one installs a FLARM, which pays the unit in about three years.

08.12.2009: Another day of building. Today Rolf and I continued with the landing lights. We decided to form the Plexiglass that covers the lights to fit the wing shape, which requires heating it. I did not dare doing that on the wing, as I was not sure whether the hot air would damage the paint. To still get the right shape I bent a piece of aluminum to fit the wing shape.

I then removed the "form" and attached a piece of Plexiglass on it.

By carefully heating it I managed to make it follow the curve nicely.

Here the result. Plexiglass gets milky when heated, but as soon as it cools down it gets transparent again

I then but the sheet onto the wing, marked it with a marker and cut and sanded it to the right shape. Below the result, which I am quite happy with. To be honest, I had to make two for each side to get them right. The first one had wrinkles, and the second one I cut too small....

The covers are held in place with M3 screws. I still want to find some with bigger heads, but even with the standard ones the cover holds nicely.

I also built a shelf onto which I can lay the panel to simplify wiring it. Here the shelf in place...

...and here with the left panel section laying on it.

24.12.2009: I have spent a week in Stockholm on business, so again no progress. I did however enjoy a nice Julboard (traditional Swedish Christmas meal) on a boat tour through the city, which was kind of a compensation for not being able to work on the plane.

Stockholm was very cold, below a shot of the Christmas market in the old town. I am quite often in Stockholm on business, so I am looking forward to going there with the SportCruiser.

By the way, for those who want to see many SportCruisers there is a blog dedicated to publishing SportCruiser pictures. It can be found under http://sportcruiser.blogspot.com/.

I won't be able to do any work on the plane until after Christmas, as until then the family has priority. At this point I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas to all the regular readers of my building log.

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