Badland Part 103 Pilots and Builders Forum

Being that electrical resistance increases over path length means that the connections at the CDI shouldn't be an issue. Do you have a ground wire from the CDI bracket directly to the battery or are you using the frame? The starter motor draw is a valid concern. The drop in voltage should only show ...

I don't know about the Pollini, but I've worked with electricity and electronics for 40+ years. There have been plenty of time when the media used (aluminum) caused issues. Copper Copper Copper is the only way to go, and use a larger gauge wire (smaller number) than recommend. Typically the recommen...

That all sounds really good. Got to laugh as I'm sure for a brief second, you had a funny look on your face with the tach doubled....one of the No Way moments. 😆 The tuning of the carb seems to be a big issue in most small engines. I think sometimes the manufacturers are trying to hard to tune the e...

That's a good thing. EGT/CHT look pretty good?

Must have been a great sound!

Bruce_L wrote: ↑Mon Nov 27, 2023 3:23 pm Oops or is that Ouch....

Depends if your emergency chute opens or not!

P.S. I'm learning a lot. Please keep asking. Your questions are excellent and on many things I've not even considered!

Acetone is a no go. However, I spread some glue on the sky blue side of a fabric sample and let it dry. I then did a thorough wipe down of the area with XYLENE and the glue came off. It does not appear to damage the fabric or discolor the sky blue. I did NOT try it on a seam that has had heat appli...

I doubt there would be any performance gain that would be noticeable. The naked tubing would have more drag than a smooth fabric surface. A round tube is very drag producing. But, any performance gain or loss wouldn't be noticeable at the speed of the Badlands. 100mph+ maybe. That's what I was thin...

Would using a magnet on the opposite side and sliding it to where fingers can grab the parts that escaped during install?

Adding to the question: As Mountain Cat stated, the weight savings is minor, but the question came to mind when I read comments about cross winds. I'm thinking in the other direction - is there any performance gain or loss in fuel burn or speed with or without covering?

Todd

I also didn't worry about "painting outside the lines", because BAF provide plenty of glue, and it weighs very little. I often played it safe by slathering it on rather than trying to stay within a designated area. The glue doesn't show after heating and shrinking. At least it hasn't in m...

I have a missing nut on my Chevy Avalanche's anti-sway bar. I can't take the sway-bar off the truck. Home Depot told me to please remove my truck from their store! Lesson - the trick doesn't always work!

That I know of there are two different types of barrel adjustments. One is the type you appear to have. This type, the thread normally goes all the way through, but not always. The other type, the threads only go in about an inch but the rest of the barrel is flared and larger. These do not have thr...

Very sharp! What's your consultation fee?

I'm about as artistic as a slug!

Todd

Great detailed information Kurt.

On a side note, if you find you've posted in the wrong place, just send me an email of the title, which forum it's in and which forum you want it in. I can move single messages or entire threads, not a problem.

Happy Thanksgiving

Todd

Just got my new PowerFin prop today. 64" long. Sure is a pretty thing. Only took 8 days to get it. Was expecting 6 weeks or more as it seems almost everything takes that long now days. I loved the 'E' prop but a grd adj prop is nicer to set the correct static RPM. Nice props and yes, I love th...

Todd, I think you're right - all of Chris's designs seem to be another layer of Oratex over the existing covering to create the patterns. Another issue with overlapping colors is the bleed-through from one color to the next. Auto decals aren't a bad idea. I have read about the transparency issue wi...

Todd, are you talking about doing something similar to a finger joint when working with wood? (Sorry, I am having a hard time determining what your graphic is demonstrating. I blame it on only being on my first cup of coffee.) If so, that seems like a lot of work and a lot of precision cutting of t...

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:50 am As both aircraft builders and men, I think we can all agree that we prefer to keep the shrinkage to a minimum.

I completely agree. I've lost a good inch and a half over the years.

Get your mind out of the gutter - I was 5' 11" at one time in my life. LOL

I guess you discovered one of the few disadvantages of Oratex. I've been doing fabric work for 40 yrs and cannot answer that. Joining two sections over a structure shouldn't be an issue. I would just shrink the glue line only enough to remove any wrinkles. Thanks for the input. I'm thinking that th...

So I would like to have multiple colors using Oratex. The problem of course is how would the shrinking work with two different pieces of fabric. Speaking with Chris some time back, Chris mentioned that there is a way to do this, but the two pieces have to be joined and then shrunk together. This see...

Normally your finish tapes (abrasion buffer and seam cover) are not shrunk per say as your main fabric. Just enough to remove any wrinkles and lay down the edges. Especially if your main fabric is already taunt. Shrinking your tapes in this situation would or could cause your glue joint to loosen. ...

The tape is not really a tape but the Oratex fabric cut like tape, and if I remember correctly, it already has the glue on it. The jagged edge tape is called pink edge tape (pink does not reference its color). From what I understand both the jagged (pink) edge and another type with a smooth cut edge...

Is the fabric tape as shrinkable as the regular fabric? And how do you determine which type to use the smooth edge or jagged edge type (sorry, I forget its name).

I considered going larger but I think I am near the weight limit already. I can live with what I've got. I guess I will have to! Haha That certainly is our Achilles Heel, our max weight limit. However, the 303 or the larger wheels, I would have made the same choice. That engine is going to be so mu...

At least we won't be paying full size STOL aircraft prices! I've seen some of those go near a grand for each tire. Talk about ouch!

And not forgetting to mention shipping which has also skyrocketed.

Mountain Cat wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 8:01 pm It's not the size that matters.

That's NOT what she said

It's about that time of year for the semiannual Badland Zoom Virtual Fly-In. Unfortunately, right now I'm in the middle of selling my house and moving to Florida. Hosting the Fly-In will not be possible. I apologize for the short notice and cancelling of the event. It may be possible to hold the eve...

I've got the 22-850x6's listed on my kit. I wonder if I'm going to need to find a hot black asphalt road on a 90+ degree day to set them on for a few hours so I can mount them? We shall see!

Todd

Is there a link to this answered previously? At the bottom of the editor you're typing your message into you'll see a tab named Attachments. Click on it. In the attachment box, click on add files. Navigate to where the attachment is located on your computer and select it or multiples if more than o...

Really like the tracing idea. Reminds me of what I did when I re-did the counters in my kitchen, using cardboard cut to the original counter, then laying the cardboard on MDF and cutting. There were two pieces of MDF that had to connect up, and with the patterns they did so perfectly. Can't even tel...

You're making great progress. Only one cup of coffee...let me guess, a 48oz mug and a double brew for that extra caffeine kick

Enjoying your posts, attitude when things don't fit perfectly, and solutions to resolve the problems.

Todd

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 11:54 am "Tie-downs to prevent backward flight $9.95 extra."

Now that's funny.

BIG COFFEE POT!

When I picked up my kit in March 2023, I planned on starting my build right away. As usual life got in the way and all kinds of issues got in the way. That always seems to happen. Then about 2 weeks ago, a pilot friend of mine located a vacant hangar less than 30 minutes from my home. Awesome - ama...

ksatter26 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 8:17 am I must have missed this reply back when it was 1st posted.
Those fans would really cool the shop and fly the F-3.

I could see on future aviation websites -

Kurt Satter's UL Wind Tunnel Testing. Only $39.95 per hour with the attached coupon!

Getting ready to order a lithium battery for the SR1. At 6 lbs vs.18lbs for an AGM one it seems worth the price. Since it will be used for starting only (no electrical system) charging isn't an issue. It will be charged at home when it needs it. Yes, lithium batteries are much lighter than lead aci...

This is awesome information Kurt. I'm learning and maybe am a little less apprehensive about doing this when I get my kit. Thank you for including great detail, and that landing gear area on the bottom looks really great.

Thanks,
Todd

Yep. An I'm learning vicariously through your experiences

1st panel is a learning experience. Selecting the underside of the fuselage was maybe not the best choice. Even with firewall forward removed and the fuselage elevated, it's iawkward crawling under to work the fabric. At this point, all that remains is to shrink the overall covering to remove the s...

I fully understand the LS issue. I've been a PP for 40+ years so a different mindset. Forget the money vs. aircraft thing. One will never make it logical. Go for all the gusto you can. Yes indeed! There will be many telling me I was foolish for spending so much on an ultralight. Since I can't take ...

It's basically a Skuraider design, or it originally was. It will fit the Badlands with minor adjustments. The issue it that it is a long cowling and too long for the Thump air or polini. The F-23 will fit it. The F-23 is a great engine (expensive) but will probably not make Pt 103 without a chute a...

That cowl was about 70% homemade. I had a few pieces left from the Polini modified cowl so I made most of it. Still have a small amount left to do to it. That's awesome. I've gone through many imaginary cowl builds in my head, all depending on which engine I finally go for. More consultation with C...

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 6:33 pm Definitely looks like a snug fit!

I really like that smooth cowl.

Todd

A better choice for the paper would be a thinner, white butcher paper. What I'm using is a roll of painter's nasking paper from Home Depot. I have to netsuke and transfer the cross-member glue lines from one side to the other. Yes, but you know how that goes....thinking the butcher paper might end ...

Nice plan Kurt. I can't see this not being successful and efficient.

Todd

that is frustrating, but I'm sure it will arrive eventually. At least you have some projects to handle in the meantime, which will be made easier without the extra weight hanging off the nose. Keep us updated on the Oratex covering process. Everyone I've talked to has been really pleased with the e...

Hi, My name is Tom and I live in West Michigan. I've been interested in Badland Aircraft for much longer than the company has existed. Specifically, I thought the Kitfox was the coolest airplane I'd ever seen when it first came out, and then came the Kitfox Lite. Chris's quality and workmanship are...

Ouch. That's a tough blow. And covid didn't help, as in most cases. But very true about Ultralights. I feel like the field just keeps expanding. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, to be honest. I think the FAA designed Part 103 around the Darwin Awards, knowing the idiots they would n...

From what I read its due to several issues. One was the laser cut parts they use to speed up production. Seems they wasn't holding up and had to be replaced. And as everything after Covid, things are tough to rebound. Kitfox had the same issues in the late 90's. The market was flooded with Kitfoxes...

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