Badland Part 103 Pilots and Builders Forum

Twenty seven for a low tomorrow night and a high of 80 next Thursday....go figure!

We went from cold and rainy to even colder and sunny. I think I prefer the latter. Even on very cold days, a dark T-Shirt and Jeans work well for outside work as long as I'm in a sun, and there's no breeze! The only problem is when there is rain in the forecast, I had only a few things to do, now I ...

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. Good point on the 182 (or any other aircraft I train in). At least to make a note on. I learned in a 150 (manual flaps), then...

Now that I'm situated in Florida, it's time to start my flight training with ground school. This'll be a series and include ground school as well as my actual flying in a Cessna 150 or 152, possibly a 182 (with video). I will also include (time permitting) video capture of practice in my Microsoft F...

Um, you both are lucky. Try 14 mpg if I stay off the highway and am really nice on the throttle, otherwise that drops to around 10 mpg, 7 mpg if I'm towing the travel trailer. Which is weird, because that's at highway speed (65 mph).

I also find the price of new trucks ridiculous. There seems to have been a shift from "work horse" to "status symbol". Rarely (at least in California) do I actually see someone using their truck for it's intended purpose. I'm sure that's different in other states. For now I'm ve...

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. When I first started reading your response, I was thinking - big toy trailer. :lol: My sister and brother-in-law drive for G...

Work on the trailer has been slowly progressing. I removed the axle this weekend, which was a process. Bolts were both rusty AND painted over, so it took a breaker bar and a lot of penetrating oil. The U-bolts were removed and cleaned up, then all was reassembled. It'll be removed again soon enough...

Mountain Cat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:30 pm Don't forget a watch, or better yet a calendar.

I thought I would make a sun dial and use it so I wouldn't need batteries

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 ga...

It was very comfortable to fly and I flew for almost 45 minutes. We even had to switch fuel tanks (left to right to left) twice when the flight computer prompted us to do so. I was surprised at how little effort was required to get the plane to bank a good bit. This is why I think some commercial p...

I got to fly back during my TDY in Germany on a KC-10. What a difference that plane is compared to the 135. Laying on your stomach looking through two little windows where the KC-10 was a proper sitting position and a monster window out the back. It almost looked like we could step out when the boom...

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. I'm very familiar. My dad was MSgt. Bill J. Crenshaw. Boom operator for the SR-71's stationed at Beale AFB where I was born. A fairly ordinary...

Maybe tow the fuel behind the Badland in a small glider, so you don't break 103 rules! Now would that be legal? The rules do say no more than 5 gallons on board, but they don't say which plane! Well, it's not "on board"! haha I really wish they would bump us to 8 gallons, but it is what i...

I saw an example of the Corsair blue. It's lighter than a Navy blue, but not by much. I think the Corsair ultralight uses it. A bright white with it would certainly pop nicely. That dark of a blue with red may be too much, so Kurt's selection to me is right on the money. Though, the Corsair blue wit...

Anyone see this? It didn't happen that long ago, but this is the first I heard of it.

https://www.fairmontsentinel.com/news/l ... -aircraft/

Todd

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. Yep, the plan is to have a ground crew with me and there is ...

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 6:27 pm Maybe tow the fuel behind the Badland in a small glider, so you don't break 103 rules!

Now would that be legal? The rules do say no more than 5 gallons on board, but they don't say which plane!

If you get Chris to get your plane 100% flight ready and pay for him to add a really mega-huge fuel tank, you can fly home non-stop in 24.8 hours at 60 mph. All of that titanium should offset the extra 150 gallons of fuel of course. Plus your engine would now be completely broken in as a bonus. Don...

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 9:46 am I love that you have the distance to Chris's place worked out to the mile. haha

It would be a bit shorter if I flew, but then I wouldn't need to. I'd already have my plane!

That's coming together really nicely Kurt. I love the contrast of the red and blue, it's perfect. I'm looking forward to seeing the wings covered and on the body of the plane. Try and stay warm buddy. I hear you're all in for a deep freeze!

Todd

Well Todd, you finally made it. Florida is nothing like Texas. I prefer Florida myself. We go to Pensacola now and then to watch the Blue Angels fly and visit the Naval Air Museum there. Now you can get your new location set up for starting out on that F5 build! ...and how many miles from Florida t...

I wish I was still hung over from the holidays....after a bout with Covid I am finally feeling fair enough to get back to building (and to the forum). Progress on the trailer has been slow, since I am waiting for a shipment of steel to finish the frame work. More on that to come on my trailer build...

Also glad it went well. Now for starting a new chapter in your life. ENJOY!! Thank you sir. That's the plan. I'm going to contact Holladay Aviation this week or early next. First step - get the ultralight training in their Breese before they sell it! Later on I'll get instruction in their Cub for s...

Glad the move went well. Settle in. You bailed on North Texas just before winter strikes. I'll be climate checking the new propane shop heaters soon enough. Thank you Kurt. We actually hit just a few days of the cold, but got everything loaded. The cool weather turned out to be perfect on the vehic...

Everybody still hung over? Not much action lately. Me, I am froze up currently. All last week was my cross country move to Florida. We made it to my brother-in-law's and sister's house late Friday night. Unpacked the U-Haul Saturday morning, and slowly going through all my stuff, trying to return t...

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! It also means we get to leav...

Slower than 30? How did you know I wanted a reverse gear in a 25~30 mph headwind? 😄 Actually I was looking at the other end since the Cub increased speed at the same RPM....reducing fuel burn is of interest. A lot of my plans ballance on how well the plane performs with the Thumpair. So far that's l...

I was figuring on the F5 flying closer to a Cessna than other ultralights, being that the F5 has the largest wing of all the Badland series. I'll confirm if this is true someday. Of course those big fat wings also create a lot of drag. I plan on testing VG's, fences and winglets to see what effects ...

And don't be jealous of the white fuselage in the picture, I can buy a few cans of titanium spray paint from Amazon and have the fuselage at your new place in Florida in a week. What color do you want your rudder/brake pedals? Just be sure to accidentally leave your bathroom scale behind in Texas w...

Todd, have you heard anything about the flying training provided by an outfit called M-Squared? They are next door from your new spot in Florida. They are close by in Alabama. http://msquaredaircraft.com/flighttraining.html They even sell a few ultralights too, sailcloth and aluminum tubing variety...

That sounds like a really super day Bruce. The other pilot does sound like a really nice hanger mate. I'm always a little skittish about sharing space with others for the fear they won't keep their hands to themselves. However it sounds very much like that's not going to be an issue at all. I can ha...

Sharp. I like the accent.

Todd

Hello from Graham Texas Looking into Part 103. Have been building experimental for years but never an Ultra Light. These Badlands aircraft appear to be a blast to fly. Perfect to bar hop on the Brazos River. Darrell Welcome Darrell, and yes, the Badland aircraft are amazing. Chris Deuel has done a ...

How does it feel or have you not had a chance to re-mount the engine? If it ratchets, is that going to be smooth enough for very minor throttle adjustments? It looks good.

Todd

ksatter26 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 12:06 pm for a WHEEL-CHAIR!

I don't think you're ready for that!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KURT!

A wet morning here in Dallas, but wishing you the best today!

Agree!

I think Peer wins this round.

Mountain Cat wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 5:16 pm You guys are getting too technical and upscale for us hillbillies.

Ha! Please don't try and gain favor by promoting me to hillbilly status!

I grew up in red neck city northern Californ-I-A!

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 3:30 pm And maybe I just need to add a "third brake light" to the plane and let it double as a strobe! haha

Now that's an idea. Just have a pigtail easily accessible to plug the light into the trailer electrical!

Not a bad idea on the third brake light somewhere...I would just need to figure out where and how to mount it. As for the current brake lights, the trailer already has LEDs. I was very happy for that! And remember to take it off as it sure would look funny. Some UL nut (aren't we all?) with a brake...

Todd, what you described is essentially what I am going for. The ramps will be removable and I can just drop them in the bed of my truck (Tundra). As for the full bed, I still need to figure out how to make this happen in a manner that is both easy and cost-effective. Same with covering the insides...

I found this design a few weeks ago and shared it with Peer. I should have also shared it here....doh, so here it is. https://youtu.be/k2QfdXzzKxU?si=477TLE7qNKBWyAW1 I really like the forward tow design and raised tail. The only part I really don't like is having to disconnect the trailer so the pl...

A big problem here is a critter called a Mud Wasp, Dirt Dauber, whatever. They love to build a nest inside of anything you own. I just love living in Mississippi! Dirt daubers, feral hogs digging up your grass strip and don't forget hurricanes, a pilots dream !!! Yep. Out in California we called th...

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.

Mountain Cat wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:47 pm The Badlands and my SR 1 are slower birds.

Have to laugh on this statement. How slow are our UL's? Well, our VNE is typically 10 knots slower than most STOL cruise at

I will certainly look at that video. It sounds like it is the best way to leave a nice smooth clean line. Thank you!

Yes! Thank you for posting this! By January the 5th I'll be living next to two oceans... the Gulf on the west and Atlantic on the east! I think some molly lube would work well once the metal it cleaned off. I used to put the metal items in the sun to open the pores of the metal, then put the lube on...

In preparation for the projected December weather here in North Texas, I moved the basic Oratex covering process into a spare bedroom. Sure enough we've had a streak of wonderfully warm mid-December weather here. As noted earlier, the flaperons are covered. IMG_1132.JPG With the arrival of the FIXI...

My name is Gary and I have been on this forum for. some time but have never written a intro I am a retired farmer(still help the next generation) and always wanted to fly. I took lessons many years ago but never soloed. I also was involved in RC flying. I looked at PPC and an almost ready to cover ...

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