Badland Part 103 Pilots and Builders Forum

Mountain Cat

I am also looking at the Kolb Fire Fly. Good performance, decent used price and folding wings.

Mountain Cat

I will still get my BFR for a SP license so I can fly my friend's challenger. I personally do not care for wood aircraft. They are heavy at best. Right now, the only 2 that can make weight is the Aerolite 103 and the Badland (if you are careful). It will be a few years before used Badlands start sho...

Mountain Cat

I am in a similar situation. I just sold my SR 1 and some other misc. parts so I am in the market for a Pt 103. Even though I have a PP license, going 103 has always been my goal. I am looking at the current models that are available. Probably will go with a used one if I can find one. The Badland i...

Mountain Cat

Welds look good! Remember you're not hauling a D-9 dozer.

Mountain Cat

I can't even find my computer without my morning pot of coffee!

Mountain Cat

Looks like you have it in the correct place. The longerons will not carry the weight! Nor will the tail spring by itself. Where you have it is excellent.

Mountain Cat

A strong tail support is a must for trailering. The tail is pretty heavy with the wings folded. And the longerons will not carry the load without bending.

Mountain Cat

So far, looks pretty darn good!

Mountain Cat

I read the article and found it pretty much on point. A few little missteps but things a UL pilot will know anyhow. For someone like myself, a X-country in a UL would be a blast. I learned with a map, compass and watch. Now days with the cheaper GPS's its a lot easier. The easiest plan is to fly til...

Mountain Cat

I have been checking on AOA's for a while now. Most are designed to go in the leading edge of the wing which will not work on the SR/RR-Badlands. The only one I see that will work good is the Belite AOA. It is mounted on the strut/jury strut. Not overly expensive at $600. I will eventually have one.

Mountain Cat

We had a warm streak go thru today. The temp jumped from 3 deg up to 8 deg for a few minutes.

Mountain Cat

T-shirt and jeans! You know how to hurt a guy! LOL! I look like the Sta-Puff marshmellow man just to go outside.

Mountain Cat

Moving south sounds better.

Mountain Cat

It's getting deeper! I did make it to the mail box to clear around it. Wife had ordered me a custom stick grip and had to make sure they could get it to me. Dang snowplow came by and covered up the mailbox, driveway and me all at the same time. Now I know how people feel in an avalanche!

Mountain Cat

It's official now, snow is up to my better judgement. And I am 6'. I do have an airplane in the barn, I think, except I can't find the barn.

Mountain Cat

Weather for a UL pilot isn't as complicated as it is for GA pilots who do a lot of X-country. But it is maybe a tad more important. Biggest issue for UL pilots is winds and turbulence. Which either one can put a UL down on the ground. Any basic ground school covers this to some degree. I hear storie...

Mountain Cat

I would advise against the 182 for a new pilot wanting ultralight training at least starting out. It is a by the numbers airplane and CS prop which adds to a tough workload. Otherwise your plan sounds good. Weather, regs, airspace is all needed for even a UL pilot, possibly more needed. We all reall...

Mountain Cat

I have no problem with owners that actually use their big pick-ups for what they were intended for. I find that here 90% of the big pick-up's are used for going to Wally World to get groceries or a bag of mulch now and then. Never used for their purpose. My little Ranger tows my bird just fine and g...

Mountain Cat

What happens when we stop buying them? Of course I'll never afford one.

Mountain Cat

I would love an enclosed trailer but it would cost me approx $70,000. 6-7K for the trailer and 60+ for a bigger truck to pull it. Don't think my 21 Ranger would like it much.

Mountain Cat

A custom built trailer is the berries. Currently I am using a 6X14 flatbed that I've had for years. But I also use it for many things other than hauling aircraft. I've hauled them all over the east coast, mostly tail first, but a few nose first. Really noticed no difference either way, but I probabl...

Mountain Cat

Don't forget a watch, or better yet a calendar.

Mountain Cat

There ARE nice guys out there in aviation. And when you get really into the UL crowd, there are even more. Last time I went to Sun-N-Fun, I walked the high dollar line and all the guys were talking about how long and the cost to build. Went to the farm (UL area) and the ultralight guys were just gab...

Mountain Cat

My uncle was also boom operator. All over the world. I still have his A-2 jacket with all the patches. After 32 yrs he retired.

Mountain Cat

There would be some who would want 10 gallons, or more. Soon we would be flying a gas tanker with a seat and an engine. Maybe a KC-135 tanker that's PT 103.

Mountain Cat

When you do that 1400 mile X-country, pack plenty of those little pine tree air fresheners and plenty of Depends! Here today, 25 mph gusting to 50 mph. Rule of thumb is, wind over 1/2 your stall speed, park it! And hopefully it one piece.

Mountain Cat

Also glad it went well. Now for starting a new chapter in your life. ENJOY!!

Mountain Cat

Everybody still hung over? Not much action lately. Me, I am froze up currently.

Mountain Cat

Save your pennies, (after building an airplane you don't have any nickels) for a vertical card compass ($249) from LEAF. It solves most of the wet compass problems. Or (cheaper method) sit in a swivel chair with your compass on a plate on your knees. Swivel different directions until you get yoursel...

Mountain Cat

Foam is a good solution and cheap. Some cover the finished product with fabric which is a more finished look. Probably from scrap fabric instead of discarding it. Only important item is to make both trailing edges the same degrees otherwise it could cause what one would think as a wing heavy side bu...

Mountain Cat

One of the most important tips for improving speed is airfoils over the struts. Round tubing is very drag inducing. I don't know if Chris has it, but U-Flyit does. ABS plastic is light, but wood corner molding, or 2 strips of chair molding run thru a sander works good with a little router work. The ...

Mountain Cat

I plan on installing VG's on my SR1. But I want to fly it a few hours first so I'll know any improvement gained. I also plan on putting wingtip fences on it. Slats, I am unsure about. Getting the stall speed around 30 or less is my goal. A light Badlands is probably already there. Slats would compli...

Mountain Cat

Being at the correct airspeed will stop most of the floating. Of course, landing a tail wheel bird, correct airspeed is critical anyway. In an ultralight, keeping some power on will be necessary. Wind and gust will make things more interesting. My challenger would float like a feather if you was eve...

Mountain Cat

If you are using Oratex, then the paint/primer needs to be compatible with the glue. Best to ask Oratex. Most alum used in aircraft construction is already protected somewhat, with the exception being saltwater. If I paint the tubing, I always use the primer recommended by the covering system.

Mountain Cat

Building an airplane is just building a bunch of small parts. And then just putting them together. Just keep plugging away, you will arrive one day!

Mountain Cat

Most really good STOL birds hit the speed wall at about 90 give or take. With the Badlands family of birds you might get there 10 minutes later but they will have the sandbox cleaned out for you. We like to be fashionably late to the party. But HEY! We are at the party!

Mountain Cat

The Polini battery is min at best. You may have enough power for two or three attempts to start at best. And a 155W charging watts you'd have to run several hours to charge it up. And with the dual spark, one side will not work without battery power. So with a bad battery, you are single spark. Pret...

Mountain Cat

Hey, when one of you get the chance, how about putting up a picture of your wheel hub w/brake disc. I've got a set of mountain bike brakes to go on my SR 1 but still have to figure out a hub to work. Thanks!

Mountain Cat

Yes, Happy Birthday! A cold snow covered day here.

Mountain Cat

Of course! Here in hillbilly land we have a mixture called snapper juice. Unknown to the ATF. You can drink it, clean metal with it or burn it in the ultralight engine. It decarbons the 2 stroke, and you at the same time.

Mountain Cat

I concede, he gets a cookie or a cold one, whichever he chooses.

Mountain Cat

Good One!

Mountain Cat

WEEEE DOGGIES! I was in Calif. one time. I think Jethro was driving.

Mountain Cat

You guys are getting too technical and upscale for us hillbillies.

Mountain Cat

Put him to work! Train him to build aircraft! If he's gonna eat, make him work.

Mountain Cat

A few Wal-Mart rubber snakes laid around on the airframe keep rats, mice and birds away. A cheap repellant. Be sure to remove before flying. You don't want one falling out in your lap during a gust of wind. Don't ask how I know!

Mountain Cat

Badland-F5 Pilot wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 7:19 am I figured a good rope and drive fast. That'll keep the plane in the air like a kite. Should work great, just have to avoid under passes and power lines.

Just fly the bird to wherever you are going. And maybe tow the trailer?

Mountain Cat

I've towed Kitfoxes and my SkyRaider all over the east on a Kitfox trailer (just like you are building) and a 16' flatbed with no damage. Key is proper tiedowns. Towed both nose front and nose rearward. I think I prefer nose rearward due to easier loading and unloading. I load with the wings open (l...

Mountain Cat

Landing at 30mph, you don't have much time to get in trouble once all 3 wheels are on the ground till you are stopped. You will have a blast just taxing and running up and down the strip. I've got a 1900' grass strip nearby so I can crow hop and then land. But the time will come that you have to bit...

Mountain Cat

I ran a Tenn prop 60X44 on my old 503 and it came out perfect on static RPM. In all honesty I really liked the 'E' prop. Even at best, it's a guess as to what pitch will give you the correct static RPM. Ideally the static should be approx 200-300 RPM under full throttle. On a fast bird you'll gain 3...

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