Badland Part 103 Pilots and Builders Forum

In spite of all the issues, at least you are one step closer...I imagine it's a natural part of the process to iron out bugs immediately after the build. (At least I've found it to be the case with other non-aviation build projects.) 12MPH winds is a fair amount for an ultralight, I would think. I t...

Excellent! I am looking forward to seeing the videos and hearing the updates. You motivated me to tighten up my springs as well...they were slack when the rudder was neutral. We will see if it helps with the tailwheel issue when backing off the trailer. I have been checking weather here as well, loo...

Well, the springs look to be the same length. As long as they have the same spring rate they should be fine, at least for now.

Let us know the results of the thrust test!

I'm sure we are also looking forward to a video of your next taxi test...at least I am!

Those should work for you Kurt. Are they pretty stiff?

Funny thing, I was just checking the tension on my springs...I am having the same issue you are when backing the plane off the trailer. I may go a notch tighter on mine.

I don't think anything is worse than filing taxes. At least not that I have experienced to date. Haha

Okay, not entirely true, but it definitely sucks!

Very true - I think a really stiff spring will help in both regards...now it's just a question of finding one with the right length AND tension! I may end up needing the same for my plane...I have soft springs, but the only other set I have I thought might be too stiff. We will see when I start test...

Awesome. Kurt, if you manage to figure out a way to keep the tailwheel from flipping around during the dismount, let me know.

It's the biggest pain point for me with loading and unloading.

Also, were you taxiing on a hard surface or on grass (or did you get an opportunity to do both)?

I am very curious to hear how much of a difference it makes...

Thanks for the write-up of the event Kurt! It sounds pretty eventful! I wonder how much a tighter spring will assist in the tailwheel steering on your set-up? As I recall the spring is almost perpendicular to the travel of the steering arms, which will provide the least amount of feedback possible. ...

Kurt, this is a landmark moment for sure! Congrats! It looks good on the trailer, and good to hear it wasn't a bad experience towing it. I'd love to see a write-up on the behavior of the plane on the ground. As for the upload, is Fred able to upload directly from his phone (rather than send the file...

Well played sir!

I think Todd just found the easiest way to load and unload!

He will be sure to test it when he has his plane built...right Todd? hehe

A nice addition. I'll need to remember to pack the ones I have in the garage...it's always the most obvious things that I end up leaving behind.

I can see forgetting the ramps to get the plane on and off the trailer...

-Peet (LOL)

Who is this "Peet" fellah?

Very similar to my "go" kit, except I got lazy and bought a small inexpensive tool kit from Harbor Freight to cover the wrenches, screwdrivers and plyers. I have most of the rest of what you listed, but am considering adding a few things you include in yours - some form of hammer and a che...

Kurt, I gotta say it looks like you've done a great job with the patch on the wing. I take it the fan was ON when the "uncleared approach" with the fan occurred?

The trailer is also looking good. You look to be halfway out the door to first testing from the look of things!

Very cool...able to lift the tail!

A nice little obstacle course!

Thanks for posting this. I'll have to check it out, although I have a feeling the hours will interfere with my work schedule...they always seem to!

Kurt, you may get to the taxiing before I do...if so, let me know how it goes. I am also wondering what my tailwheel is going to feel like, since I have very light springs on it.

Some really good stuff here! Thanks for posting it!

I like those printed caps for the spars. A nice touch.

Thanks! As a huge fan of the J3 Cub I went with the tribute color.

It sounds like your mission is very similar to mine. Keep us all updated as you work towards it! Here are a couple of shots of my UL which I just pulled off my computer. There are probably more in my posts somewhere. The cowl will have to change since I upgraded the power unit... Badland_F2_front.jp...

I had thought the Ultracruiser has removable wings (just outboard of the landing gear) but I could be wrong about that.

Great pics and beautiful plane, Barry!

Bummer. Have you looked at open cockpit options, like the Hummel Ultracruiser?

Height from seat base to the top crossmember of the fuselage is 36 inches. My head sits at about 33 inches.

To the "sunroof" adds another 2 inches or so.

Hope this helps!

Haha, now THAT I would love to see! A little bubble canopy with a head in it.

I'll try to get you that picture ASAP.

Hi Rusty. Let me see if I can get you this information tonight or tomorrow morning. I can take a pic in the cockpit as well as a pic seated against a wall with a tape measure behind me...would that work, do you think?

Very nice. The fencing is a good idea. I also notice that you look to be winching the plane from a single point in the middle of the gear. I opted to use two short adjustable straps, so I can align the plane and keep it aligned while winching...something you may want to consider trying. It's worked ...

I left all aluminum unpainted in the interest of saving weight. I have not seen any issues as of yet with corrosion nor with glue bonding.

Sweet looking plane!

Hey Stormin, and welcome to the group. Like you, I am also a motorcycle enthusiast looking to add another dimension to my direction of travel. I have a nearly completed F-2, which I am about to start taxi testing (if the weather here in Los Angeles ever decides to cooperate). I look forward to you s...

Kurt is there anything keeping the plane from wandering left or right while pulling it up the ramps? Not having any sides on those ramps would make me nervous!

Awesome! I love a good picture dump!

I see a few very cool changes to the design since mine came into existence. Very nice.

Haha, time to hit that treadmill!

Good stuff!

Welcome to the group, Fly44d! Watsonville...is that up north or Monterey? And which Badland is it you picked up? Is that the grey, red and black one, or a different one? (I don't recall what he had at Airventure.) Looking forward to stories of your adventures with it! Can you tell us your impression...

Oh, that is a very good idea. Thanks for that!

Looks great Kurt. At least the bird got a little sun.

I am thinking they will work fine. My only concern is the amount of flex in PVC...but I don't think there will be enough to do any harm.

Thanks for the feedback folks! The first one is pretty much done. I am extending it from one end of the control surface to the other. Todd, they will be stored inside when not in use, so I am hoping to get at least a year out of them. Also, the Dollar Store carries them, so replacing them will be ea...

Kurt, it sounds like it HAS to be the scale. While it seems to be accurate when weighing the main gear, it may lose its accuracy on the low end. I may be looking for some loaner scales soon as well, as I'd like a much more accurate measurement of my current CG.

Keep us all posted!

As I get much closer to trailering my plane, it's become time to think about gust locks for transport. I've seen a few varieties of gust lock, ranging from small plastic plates that clamp the two surfaces over a small footprint to larger wooden "clamps" lined with carpet. Neither option ap...

I R not.

Kurt, I did something similar for the wing brackets, but non-adjustable... Wingbrackets00.jpg WingbracketCU.jpg I tack welded the flat brackets into place on the square tube, then bent them as needed to align with the tabs on the wings. (Note the ugly welds. These were some of the very first welds I...

Looking forward to the pics Kurt! And thanks. I'm pretty happy with the outcome...now we need to see how well it performs.

Haha...when is your birthday??? I may need to start a new build just for you!

Todd, if Chris offered, I might just take him up on it! I have to say, welding is a lot of fun...once you get to be at least halfway decent at it, which is where I feel like I am at. I completed the welding of the tie down D-rings. The welds got progressively better, and I have confidence that they ...

Hey Rusty! No luck so far finding a plane to try on for size?

Hopefully someone on here reaches out to you!

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