Is there anybody out there building a Windrose? I've been building mine on again off again for the past 10 years or so. It's a 15 metre type and it's almost finished. What I'm doing now is the wing finishing, which is alot of filling and sanding. But it's going really well since I figured out how...

Hey Guys, I know that ducted fans are somewhat the sophomoric siren of amateur aircraft design... Such tantalizing performance benefits (No PSRU/ higher fan/prop speeds, much better control of thrust airfoil environment, greater propulsion mass for small fan diameter, etc) only problem is, they...

Hey Guys- Has anyone ever attempted to install a Hilsch Tube (Vortex Tube) in an aircraft for environmental controls? The setup I see would be very light, a 3 foot long PVC vortex tube (no more than 5 lbs) with a small exhaust turbocharger force-feeding it. Yes the Hilsch tube is not a...

Hey Guys, I've been bitten bad by the aviators bug... (gotten 10 hours of flying time in 3 weeks... having an unbelievable time). I've been trying to figure out a long term plan to help offset some of the costs of flying (some, not all)... One Idea I've been considering is combine flying with my...

Dear listers, I need some help. Three weeks ago I had to push an airframe I was working on, into the open, as I needed space. The lexan windshield was installed with the protective plastic masking left in place. The plastic masking has deteriorated to such an extend, that I can not get it off the...

Listers, I need help, please. About three weeks ago I had to push an airframe that I was working on, out into the open for space requirements. The windshield was intalled on this airframe, but still covered in the protective plastic "masking" to prevent scratching. Now, after three weeks in the...

I have this overwhelming urge to build a Lancair 360 so I'm searching for an unfinished kit that's in good condition. If you know of anyone with one of these beautiful aircraft that has been "orphaned" in the back of there garage or hanger kindly pass my name along to them. Thanks a bunch. Erik...

I have some 4130 steel parts that slide in other 4130 steel parts, but only occasionally. Most of the time the parts just sit around waiting to be used. What is the best to keep the surfaces from rusting? Paint is out, as it would clog the mechanism. -- This is by far the hardest lesson about...

I can't figure this one out. I want to add a retractable step that will stick out of the fuselage at a 40 degree from vertical angle. It sticks out 10" and is made of 3/4" square, .065 thick, 4130 tube. Assuming no weakness in the support, will this support a 300lb man (me with all my luggage on...

Today was proof that keep parts safely tucked away until needed is a good idea. The Dyke Delta has a universal joint halway down the torque tube, and it uses a big one...a MS20271-B14. One of these puppies will run you nearly $100 bucks, brand spanking new from the likes of Aircraft...

Well, I sold my big, custom-made bellhousing to another builder that wanted to get that radial look out of a rotary engine. That 21 pound chunk of aluminum just wasn't going to go nicely into the front of my Delta, so it's all for the best. But now I'm in somewhat of a lurch. I need to build an...

I bought a set of Goodyear wheels at the Mid-Atlantic Flyin held in Lumberton, NC last Saturday. They were fairly dirty, but only cost $10 and cleaned up real nice. I elected not to carry home the brake calipers, they as it would be too hard to make them fit my installation. Figured someone else...

Richard Lamb wrote: from AvWeb news feed this morning... ...PLANE PAPERWORK UNDER MICROSCOPE Your personal paperwork isn't the only object of the government's security watchdogs. The FAA has announced it is going through its aircraft registry, one plane at a time, to ensure that all...

The most recent Sport Aviation has an article on make up hoses. The author states that 'you must use 37 degree fittings' and as is typical, gives no reason why. Is there a reason for this that involves the laws of nature, vs the "laws of the FAA"? -- http://www.ernest.isa-geek.org/ "Ignorance is...

Most of the fabric covered aiplanes I've seen didn't seem that hard. That is, you could walk up to them and push the fabric in with your hand. The way I understand the fabric process, it is basically a composite structure. You have a nylon cloth with a paint "epoxy". Could a much stronger and...

Does anyone have a reference that quotes the strength of streamline tubing? A lot of sizes of streamline are no longer made. I'm having to make a substitution and have worked out the strength of the streamline and my substitution in a CAD package. It sure would make me feel better if I had a...

I've got some .035 4130 that I have to cut elevon ribs from. 2 inch on one end, 3/8ths on the other and about 16" long (each one is a different length). The small end fits against a run of tube, the thick end against the elevon spar. Both ends have to be shaped appropriately. The sides of the...

What has happened to taper pins? I need two AN386-3-9A pins to tie a universal joint to a one inch torque tube. AS&S says that I've got to buy 5 at 17.50(USD) each. Can anyone recommend a source that actually wants to sell them at a reasonable price? -- ----Because I...

Big John wrote: Some time ago there was a discussion in the group about seat cushions for small people in airplanes. Today I received a catalogue from"Gadget Alert" (1-800-429-0039), www.gadgetalert.com They had a cushion advertised: TN335 Thermo-Sensitive Mamory Foam Chair...

Is anyone familiar with this book, or if there is a better selection out there to help me decide how large to make my wing ribs? http://www.aeronautpress.com/book1prev5.htm The ribs of the Dyke Delta are composed of a stainless steel rib cap made of .015 thick 321 stainless. It's formed into a U...