Experimenter - EAA's Homebuilder's Newsletter

Electric Flight
Is it the future of sport aviation or just another pipe dream?
By Patrick Panzera, EAA 555743
ppanzera@eaa.org

Open any vintage Popular Mechanics or Popular Science magazine, or watch any 30- to 40-year-old sci-fi movie, and you'll see that we haven't even come close to achieving the level of technology that was predicted to be ever present in the years beyond 2000. Where's my flying car? Why does my automobile still have a piston (or rotary) engine, and why won't it hover? And where's my robotic housekeeper?

Are we being spoon-fed another load of hope and anticipation with the electric airplane? I hope not, and I hope to get to the bottom of it soon. Read more

Paul's Pick

Sometimes the FAA makes us angry, but in many cases we must be careful not to shoot the messenger. In the August 1971 issue of Sport Aviation, Paul wrote about the federal use tax and how EAA members shouldn't send angry messages to the Internal Revenue Service with their payment, because it was Congress that enacted the legislation. Paul used a similar approach regarding FAA policy, advising us all to direct our displeasure toward FAA officials who make the policy and to express that displeasure in appropriate ways. Read Paul's column

Tales From the DAR Side

You've placed your identification plate in a position accepted by both you and the designated airworthiness representative . Your "N number" (or registration number) is in the proper location, size, and font. Now, where to put that required "EXPERIMENTAL" sticker? The location required by the regulations gives the builder more wiggle room than most people would think. Read more

David Roe's Highly Modified Hummel Bird

In the February issues of Experimenter, we featured David Roe's highly modified Hummel Bird, affectionately known as "Diva." With its highly modified four-cylinder VW engine, (the Hummel Bird was designed to use a half vee-dub), David was able to create an entirely different look by using a round cowl. The additional power created by the larger displacement engine put the performance literally off the chart, requiring some careful attention to aileron flutter issues. We'd like to give you the opportunity to read this article again in case you missed it the first time. Read more

Fournier RF4D
The Fournier RF4D Motorglider

The vintage wood and fabric Fournier RF4D may be the best-kept secret in all of sport aviation. Built in France in the early 1960's, with limited numbers now here in the United States, owning, flying, maintaining, and restoring one of these gems can be the affordable thrill many of us seek. The airframe makes it a glider but the Volkswagen powerplant scoots it along at 115 miles per hour, making it a viable cross country machine, surpassing many of the S-LSA's on the market today. Several owners/restorers came together to present this informational article. Read more

New Limits vs. Service Limits
Differences Between Aircraft Engines and Auto Conversions

How new is new? The terms "zero hours since major overhaul" (0-SMOH) or simply "overhauled" and "zero timed" may all seem to mean the same thing, but they don't. Also, do these terms apply to auto conversions as well as certified engines? Noted automobile engine conversion guru and licensed A&P mechanic William Wynne explores the myths and misconceptions of these terms and how they may or may not apply to alternative engines. Read more

Flying Dave Thatcher's CX4

Once in a while a new experimental aircraft hits the market and instantly makes a homerun. Sometimes it's appearance that draws attention; sometimes it's performance. Sometimes it's the cleverness of its simplicity or ease of construction and sometimes it's the docile handling characteristics.

In the case of the Thatcher CX4, it's perhaps all of the above. In this article written by 17 year old Ted Beck, you'll read the fist-hand experience of a low-time pilot who flies the CX4 for the first time. We don't normally publish these types of stories in Experimenter, but then again, we don't normally get submissions from enthusiastic 17 year old pilots. Read more

What Our Members Are Building
The Titan All-Metal P-51 Replica Kit, Part One

"Everybody likes the North American P-51D Mustang!" says Len Bechtold who writes this month about the all-metal Titan T-51, a 3/4 scale replica of the revered fighter. Last month we featured the single-seat, wood-and-fabric Loehle 5151-scale replica. The Titan T-51 gets a little closer to the real thing in size, power, and appearance. This two-seat version of can be built for and flown by sport pilots or as a true high-performance experimental aircraft, complete with retractable gear, including the tailwheel! This article will be the first of three installments that will chronicle Len's journey from crate to flight. Read more

Lopresti, EAA Chapters Building 'Fury' Kit

After LoPresti Aviation's Corkey Fornof, chief pilot for the company's Fury airplane, was asked repeatedly over the past year on the air show circuit, "Are you ever going to kit the Fury?" the company decided to explore the possibility. The focus of their research was obvious, and right in their backyard: EAA chapters. Read more

General Aviation Industry Prepares for an Unleaded Future
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formally begun the regulatory process required by the Clean Air Act that may ultimately result in standards mandating the industry's transition to unleaded aviation gasoline (avgas). The EPA has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) which is a key opportunity for the general aviation (GA) community to provide comment regarding this possible new environmental standard and into the development of a plan for identifying, evaluating, and ultimately transitioning to an unleaded fuel. Read more

Volunteer Videographers Sought For AirVenture
EAA Publications is seeking volunteer videographers. Volunteers will create content for future issues of Experimenter and the nine other monthly e-newsletters EAA publishes year-round. Other projects, such as the daily AirVenture edition of e-Hotline, may be available. If you enjoy creating videos, we are seeking your discerning eye to communicate the excitement, uniqueness, and variety of aircraft and experiences that can be found at AirVenture.

Volunteers, depending on their interest, will work with EAA Publications staff and newsletter editors on specific assignments. Some video editing skills are helpful but not required, and volunteers must bring their own camera. General submissions are welcome. Please contact Fareed Guyot at fguyot@eaa.org or call 920-426-6555.

Homebuilders, Come to Virginia in May!
A grass-roots fly-in for homebuilders and aviation enthusiasts
Are you looking for a new place to fly next month, somewhere along the east coast, maybe an event that in addition to a pancake breakfast could have 300 or more planes on display all weekend...maybe even your plane? Then consider making the trek to Suffolk, Virginia, for the13th Annual Virginia Regional Festival of Flight. In addition to good food, good friends, and a great time, the forums and workshops are tailor-made for homebuilders. Read more

AERO 2010 Shows off Best of Europe

AERO Expo 2010 at Friedrichshafen, Germany, provided an overwhelming number of new, innovative aviation products, surely reinforcing it as Europe's best general aviation trade show. The show included a wide range of products, including light-sport aircraft, kitplanes, new production airplanes, electric propulsion, rotorcraft, and powerplants. The event demonstrated the unlimited creativity found among those around the world who pursue their passion for flight. View the gallery

From the EAA Homebuilding Community

The Homebuilders Corner message forum at Oshkosh365 is as active as ever. Have a look at the list below and follow the links to read the actual questions and discussion topics.

Home movies of Knight Twister project

Can You Help?

Interesting Discussions