Badland Part 103 Pilots and Builders Forum

Reply vua i-phone went off to never-land. Will re-post fromm pc later. Alive and semi-well fighting kidney stone. Ah, there he is, in pain I'm sure, but alive as well. Been there with one and only one kidney stone passing. Never want to re-visit that. Peer advised me to take Chanca Piedra which is ...

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Tue Mar 25, 2025 10:06 am Funny you mention that!

It has been a but quiet here the last few days. When I checked the forum for the umpteenth time yesterday, I thought to myself "Did Bruce take a vacation?" LOL

Lottery Winner?

Yeah, like not just Bruce, but where is Kurt at?

Todd

Man, if Bruce takes a break from building, we can just shut the forum down :-) Anyone else get a kit? Anyone else waiting for a kit? I'll be bugging Chris soon since my 10 month ETA is here, and I haven't had any update in months. Rusty Waiting. Now going over 2 years.... but, before you freak out ...

Agreed, and I had heard of their method. After seeing young kids splatter themselves all over the payment because they purchased a high power bike, and they had no clue how much power they had in their right hand, I decided the UK way might not be so bad after all. The same could easily go for UL's ...

Nice job for AI. Like you said, as with all AI requested info, it needs some refinement. BTW, I don't mind blurring " the line between ultralight and experimental aircraft, potentially alienating purists who prioritize affordability over capability ". LOL! One of the things I mentioned in...

Pricing on the F5 is also a bit lower than it is today. Thank you Putin!

Todd

As most of you know, I enjoy working with AI systems, and I've posted a few things from AI's. I have recently been playing with Grok, from X. I'm very impressed with the information Grok provides. It's not just information, it's not just information from a gazillion articles that may include a lot o...

Really nice work. I love the "L" and "R" on the flapperon parts! Excellent!

Todd

While Kitfox does have a long lead time, their estimates are pretty accurate. This is where Chris could use some help. I would like to see him hire a project manager/customer service manager to help keep the buyers and future buyers aware of the backlog. That would of course come with the emphasis ...

I like the truck transport. Man, I hate pulling a trailer, and I've tried just about everything but that for transporting long items. Eventually I'll have to decide if it's worth the 15 hr drive to pick up the kit. By that time shipping cost will probably make it worthwhile. Sounds like you're in t...

Exactly and I agree, it would be nice to have some sort of registration if for nothing other than to have a more accurate count of how many of us are really out here. I've been told by people, and even by both ChatGPT and GROK to contact the EAA and USUA for assistance. Neither has been helpful, now...

Bruce, you are so precise and methodical on your build, it scares me to a degree. I don't want to screw up on my build and I don't fully understand each step you're taking. However, I know I have a lot of resources here for help. I'm not a patient person (terrible fisherman), but will have to work o...

GROK is the AI system developed by X. It is different in that though it pulls data from printed articles, it also pulls data from statistical numbers. This method helps to remove political and personal bias from the totals. Here's just one question I submitted to GROK to see what number it would com...

Yep, and he sent me a text today asking what color I wanted the frame and rims. I don't think it'll be too long before he says, "come and get it". Do you think he'd be pissed if told him I'm not ready yet?

Todd

They will certainly help me. Thank you Bruce.

Todd

I sent Chris a text this morning, seeing if the second order of Titanium had arrived. He sent the following picture.

An astounding YES!

Look at the purty silver frame!

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 10:22 am Todd, isn't aluminum the same? (Oxidizes and as a result creates it's own protective coating?)

I'm not sure about aluminum, but that does make sense. I've never seen a rusted (red) aluminum can before!

Todd

Good observation and points about rust. It wasn't a few weeks after moving to Florida before I noticed my large power tools in the pole barn were rusting. My poor bench top milling machine is going to take a lot of work to get back into spec. The pole barn is open at the front and back, plus lots of...

ANSWER: Washout changes the height of the back outside corner of the wing (near the tip) while dihedral changes to height of entire wing relative to the location of where the wing bolts to the fuselage (AKA - at the root) Washout = Twist (trailing edge is tiny bit higher than the leading edge, but ...

Hi Todd, As the owner, and basically the builder of a very nice Avid Champion - which I understand to be the prototype for the Foxlite / Belite / Badlands 103 . . . an absolutely perfect little airplane, I was hoping that in the future . . . Perhaps - should the stars align, the war in Ukraine come...

To get the washout correct I would do the following: 1. Get my level and 5/8 spacer block set up at the wingtip ( the wing should be free standing now, with no supports touching it) 2. Look at the bubble and figure out if I have too much or too little washout. You can grab the trailing edge and man...

Bruce_L wrote: ↑Sun Feb 02, 2025 9:55 am Todd, the only possible dumb questions is: " Hey Bruce, why don't you just give me your finished plane? You can build another."

HA! OK, so I won't ask that dumb question ... but it did enter my mind

Thanks Buddy!

Todd

Wow Bruce, I can't thank you enough for the detail you're putting into your posts of your build. In a way, it brings a lot of anxiety. I've never put together anything with such complexity, and at the same time, with your detailed posts I think I'll be able ok - just expect A LOT OF DUMB QUESTIONS! ...

Looks really sharp. I like the poor man's powder coating process!

Todd

Greetings, As I read the progress reports on the titanium F-5 kit, I am wondering if the light weight fuse frame will possibly be offered separately at a future point in time. Thanks I can answer that for you, the answer is Yes. Chris is known for his flexibility to swap parts to meet the customer'...

It's a your call type of thing to either start a YT channel and maintain it, or just get yourself a DropBox (Basic membership - free) which gives you 2GB of storage. I use both methods because I've done many YT videos, but I also have my DropBox because it's easy to post to. I have my DropBox accoun...

As always Bruce, awesome detail. Reading about the RC method you mentioned at the start of your post, well it reminded me of "Flight of the Phoenix".

I wish I could give you some input to your questions, but I'm learning a lot from your posts. I can see I have a long ways to go.

Todd

Nicely said Barry.

Thanks,
Todd

3. A reason to turn off the TV, get off the couch and go build your own awesome airplane. There are plenty of people here to help when you get bogged down and Chris is always just a phone call away. I find that when I call him about a part or question, I feel much more enthusiastic to finish my pla...

Really loving the awesome detail you're putting into the build posts. I think with all the build information we're collecting, the forum will be the go-to for many future Badland builders and pilots, along with some others that may find ways of doing things to their build no matter what the make is....

Congratulations Todd! That certainly is great news! I look forward to seeing your build process... and meeting you in the air! Chris had also asked me a couple nights ago to look over the new website; besides looking more modern with a "fresher" look, the first thing I too noticed was the...

Yep, I agree, and I think a chat with him will resolve the question about the price change and how it affects you. I do like the CF ribs though!

Todd

Screenshot 2025-01-22 2.53.44 PM.png Congrats on getting closer. The new website looks good, and has a nice collection of links for videos and such. One thing I noticed immediately is what appears to be a big price reduction for the kit I ordered. I couldn't find the nice order form that listed wha...

Chris got in touch with Peer and I last night. Chris has been re-working and updating the BadlandAircraft.com website. It's really looking great and gives the potential customer more information on what they are going to spend to get what they want. I expect this part of the website will grow over t...

The Avid Champion / Kitfox Lite / Belite / Badlands lineage are simply lesser powered, lighter weight, single seat AIRPLANES, sharing the characteristics of their bigger siblings (Flyers and Kitfoxes). Moving from a 37 hp, 250 lbs EW, 500 lbs GW Legit 103 to a 65 hp, 400 lbs EW, 850 lbs GW E-A/B is...

The Badland (Kitfox Lite variants) and Merlin Lite are probably the closest you can get to a "real" airplane and still be legal for part 103. Yep, and one of the reasons I selected the Badland. Chris was in an interview while at Air Venture and said basically that. While I'm not a big fan...

thanks I've built an rv-12. I enjoyed building but don't want another 1000 hr project. I'm looking to do local flying ( 1 hr or so)off grass runways and maybe my field.(600 feet) I live 2.5 miles from a grass runway. There is no hangar space available but with folding wings I might have an option. ...

8000 feet AGL huh? Just save some space for a turbo and an intercooler when you mount your motor. Easy fix! Be sure to contact ATC before you enter Class A airspace. Don't forget :o your oxygen bottle too. Thank goodness for titanium huh? The good part is I only need to reach that altitude once dur...

Looking at all 3 Any comments appreciated Alan Hi Alan. To provide usable advice, we're going to need a bit more information from you. What type of flying do you want to do - long hops between airports...more like cross-country? Are you looking for something that fly's more like a Cessna or other l...

Check out the EOS Quattro 4 stroke. This is marketed as a paramotor engine. Rated at 30.2 HP. The advertised thrust is 80 kg (about 170-180 lbs) Fuel consumption is claimed to be less than 3 liters per hour. (no pre-mix oil to buy either) Revs past 8000 RPM Not sure if there would be issues running...

It was reported on the FB group (horrible format) that his last flight didn't make it over 300 ft. He made an excellent dead stick off airport landing with a broken valve. His ThumpAir is no more. Plane and pilot are safely home and shopping for a new engine. Chris and I have been talking. I really...

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 12:17 am I stand in solidarity with Rusty.

Hear hear! And isn't three or more a coalition?

It was reported on the FB group (horrible format) that his last flight didn't make it over 300 ft. He made an excellent dead stick off airport landing with a broken valve. His ThumpAir is no more. Plane and pilot are safely home and shopping for a new engine. Chris and I have been talking. I really...

13brv3 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:10 pm
Badland-F5 Pilot wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:58 am
I'm really terrible at being able to use manuals.
I have a hard time doing what I'm told, but that's a whole different issue
Rusty

Hahaha, and you being second in command here, you know me plenty well enough that it's true. I have trouble following a 1 line operator's manual! :lol: It also seems to have worked. I think we have more pictures and videos than any other Badland social media site. My former CFI (many years ago) alwa...

My guess would be an increase in max speed. Curious to hear what Chris says! Agreed. The prop may need to be changed to one with less thrust, or the throttle may need to be limited. I remember reading something about doing the latter, that the limiter must not be able to be changed from inside the ...

There have been multiple builders complete their build without a single technical question. I take pride in the manual I've written. I've had several people help with editing, hopefully making it more understandable. Everyone has a different way they learn. I've written the manual the way I learn, ...

fly44d wrote: ↑Mon Jun 24, 2024 4:41 pm I got some more Thump-Air time yesterday!

trim_A1F6E85D-B0AC-4015-BC7C-E324C6D989DC.mp4
IMG_5227.jpeg

Just noticing, 6 seconds from start of roll to off the ground. Very nice!

Todd

I think Terry is one of the few that could build without questions - then again, Terry has built many planes, so experience really helps! Since I'm absolutely new at this - expect a flood of questions from me guys!

Todd

And there you go Bruce, from the man himself! Good to know info for my future F5!

Todd

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