Badland Part 103 Pilots and Builders Forum

Just read where Van's Aircraft was having some issues with the financial part of the business. Hope Chris is hanging in there strong! I've always thought that a 15K-20K kit was easier to sell than a 60K kit. But then, what do I know? Some people just can't afford a 100K airplane to play with. Mainl...

One of the things I'm sure you're taking into consideration is that with the Affordaplane, you and your sons may be able to build two or even three planes at fairly low cost and all fly together. Though, the folding or at least removable wing would most likely be out of the question. Kurt points to ...

Welcome to the forum! I'm not new to aviation as I retired from one of the big four airlines (not a pilot) in January of '06. After 7 years my bride of 46years and I left north TX for the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. It's where I took up I took up radio controlled flight. Now that's funny, only b...

Todd, I built the 350 small block in my suburban. I used quality parts, many aftermarket and performance modifications, etc. It did not magically become a "Kaveman 350" it's still a small block Chevy, and still has all the inherit issues of a pushrod V8. The thump air is a very nicely bui...

I wish Scott the best and hope it's a big success. He has put in the time and effort to make it work. Same as Chris has put in with the Badlands. Exactly. After speaking with Chris on our last virtual fly-in I have much confidence in the work he's put into the engine. I rebuilt the engine in my 73 ...

While "Add gas and fly" would be nice, I've never smoked anything that would make me dream that big! It's not that there's no alternatives out there, it's just most are far too heavy. I pointed out the two rotary engines I knew of first, because I know they list great power to weight rati...

It seems that we all want to stay within the parameters of Part 103, and I would say we all have an understanding of what those parameters are. In cases where we don't fully understand, we all seem to prefer to err on the side of caution. Very true, and spot on. I don't view any of this as misinfor...

We have hashed this Pt 103 around till the sun went down and seems everyone has different opinions as to what one can or cannot do with a UL vehicle. As far as asking the FAA, that would be a moot point. Every district inspector has a different view on the subject. What an inspector in WVa says mos...

Here's the link to the source document, from a government website, the first Google result. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-103 Pursuing this short document, you'll find: Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intend...

I was just about to post the same thing after reviewing your pictures again. The image on the relay itself would suggest that the big wires are for the starter (hence the large gauges) and the small wires trip the switch. I believe the easy way to test the relay would also have been to remove it an...

Super good news on both counts. Great to hear the Oratex is pretty much exactly what you wanted, and Janina's information was spot on. Coming forward to hearing about your first start!

Todd

1) I'm looking at the F5, pretty close to fully built out, that's a pile of money. Plus I've got to learn to fly, another pile of money. Then I must purchase certain miscellaneous items such as a good radio, PLB, another shipping container to store said plane in, etc. Somewhere in there the SC2 won...

I just spent way too much time writing out a reply to this rather old question, and then my phone deleted it. So here's a shorter version, just to try to get the discussion going. A younger me would absolutely use carbon fiber tubes to build something like a quick silver. After an unknown number of...

Hi all, I'm 64 and I have had a Private Pilot rating since 1986 and in 1999 I earned my commercial rating in hot air balloons. I flew balloons until 2018 and then sold my balloon and I've been flightless ever since. I still dream of owning and flying something with wings. Due to a medical issue I'm...

I resolved years ago, that I wanted a UL, but I wouldn't bother with a tricycle under a hangglider! Awhile back I happened across both the Badlands and the Merlin, (Thanks ByDanJohnson) and my wife asked me to make a choice. The Merlin is very appealing, being all metal, fully enclosed, etc. The Ba...

Great news.

Todd

Ouch, not nice. The good is that we have no required annual and other such things like, someone says the plane is overweight. You can remove all non-permanent items not required to fly the plane safely including seat cushions, radios, ADS-b in if you have it, tablet...etc. Those are all cargo. As fo...

Looking nice Kurt, really nice.

Feel free to think whatever you want. Your bird, your butt in the seat. A ramp check doesn't verify speed. The major give aways are more than 5 gal gas tank, a 503 or bigger engine, 2 seats, and a panel rivaling a 747. Otherwise, they follow the duck rule. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck...

I found the article and guess what, it happens to reference a Belite, by who else? James himself. It's a short read.

https://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/2010/0 ... -55-knots/

Todd

Mountain Cat wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 7:54 pm Or maybe you had one of those big 32oz big drinks before you took off.

Another thing to consider is that you do not have to tune the engine for a certain speed. What I mean by this is that it is perfectly legal to put a throttle stop on the engine. The rule is that as long as the pilot is unable to adjust the throttle stop in flight, then you are legal. Such as, having...

Looks great. The tank looks high enough where the pump should be able to purge any air from the water jacket.

Todd

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Fri Sep 22, 2023 11:08 am Now that the "theft" has been completed, I have indeed started the installation!

I love it!

Peer has already (stolen LOL) errr, I mean bought it. You might ask him if he is in the market to part with it. With an appropriate mark-up I'm sure he'll sell – oh wait, I've already seen pictures of it mounted and the fun he's having with all you included, plus orders from Aircraft Spruce & S...

Still no reply on CDI/Relay wiring from Polini. I laid out the cowling bumps masks as outlined in a previous post. I printed them out on sticky-back printable vinyl sheets from Hobby Lobby, then cut out the ellipses. The masking went pretty well on the lower-starboard "test" bump. I spray...

ksatter26 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 15, 2023 9:33 pm The proper CDI, complete with 2nd harness bundle, showed up at 4:30 pm.. I hope to get it installed on the 303 tomorrow.

Sounds like a busy weekend! Good luck on hearing some engine noise out of the exhaust of that monster!

Todd

Tomorrow (Saturday, 9/16/2023) marks 9 weeks of suspended progress due to the no spark/CDI fiasco. Earlier this week Chris informed me that the replacement-replacement CDI went of with UPS. It has not made it to me as of noon today (Friday) and I have received no notifications from UPS as to shippi...

One can go onto the United States Ultralight Assoc.org website and get a list of UL clubs in your state. I've been a member for many years. I don't do EAA, but the USUA is more my kind of flying. Plus, if you are a member of USUA, you have access to the club insurance which is reasonable cost. The ...

One can go onto the United States Ultralight Assoc.org website and get a list of UL clubs in your state. I've been a member for many years. I don't do EAA, but the USUA is more my kind of flying. Plus, if you are a member of USUA, you have access to the club insurance which is reasonable cost. I'm ...

Thanks for the feedback. I now realize something I had given only a little thought to should be my numero uno consideration, and that is looking into local clubs or groups with whom to fly and share other activities. I think on my own I might fall into the trap of finding excuses not to go flying f...

But I also considered the fact that I very much enjoy a project, and building an aircraft was a first for me. At the end of the day, even if it ended up being more about building than flying, I decided it was still worth it. I very much enjoy flying, and have recently resumed my flight instruction....

Nice review, F-5. Same with yours sir – good advice. It's a difficult choice, no doubt. I have questioned my decision a few times. Then I see a YT video, and I'm hooked again. I've simply got to get into the air once again. One thing that reminds me why I'm doing this is from one of my favorite mov...

Dobie, your story sounds a lot like mine. Taking lessons back in 1999, just about to test and moved to another city for employment. Started up again with a new CFI. The job changed, and the new job didn't allow for the expense of flying. I always thought I'd get back into it. Moving to Texas (anothe...

Another plug for Smart Carb. This is an interview with Corey Dyess from SmartCarb. This is a detailed history of Smart Carb and answers many questions about it. Note this is on 2 stroke dirt bikes, not aircraft engines. The video interview is long, but excellent because it comes directly from the ac...

Excellent news.

Looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing of the progress.

Todd

There are certainly many new engine concepts in development. The biggest issue I've seen with many of these concepts, the design eliminates many smaller drawbacks of the standard piston engine, but amplify one or two major issues that rarely if ever are resolved. Taking a look at a long time rival t...

Mountain Cat wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2023 8:16 pm OK, I should get it next week. When it clears, I'll mail the packages and send the tracking numbers to your personal E-mail. I like to keep in contact with the buyer till everything is a done deal.

Picturing a very giddy Peer as he waits for an early Christmas

Woohoo! Saturday's weather looks possibly a little wet but certainly cooler for a CDI install!

I agree. Almost 10K for a single cylinder engine is pretty steep. The Thump-Air is a much better deal for the same HP. Expect a few minor issues with it though. Every new engine goes through a teething process. But they will get worked out. Yep, and right now I have some time while waiting for my k...

That could very well be the engine. The big surprise was the price. I could purchase a Hirth F23 for less. Understood that there is a big difference between 2 stroke and 4 stroke, but when measuring HP vs Cost, comparing to the Thump Air price, and the cost of a rebuild, that's a bit to expensive of...

freedomflyer wrote: ↑Sun Sep 03, 2023 8:44 pm Thanks for all the information you guys are great!!

Happy to help. We do try and keep up with all the new technology coming out for ultralights. Much of it is secret so it's hard to find. Take care.

Todd I think Scott has done some circuits around the patch with the Thumpair mounted on his Aerolite...do you know if he has tested beyond that as of yet? No on Scott's testing. I recall at our virtual Fly-In Scott was looking at TBO testing so I'd guess he is putting hours on it. I caught a video ...

ksatter26 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 03, 2023 3:57 pm Chris told me that he was working on an improved mount for tge Thump and wanted more test time on the configuration.

As always, Chris is looking for the best strength to weight ratio. Perfectionist he is!

Has anyone completed an F2 kit with a Thump Air 460 engine? I spoke with Chris at Badland Aircraft a few weeks ago. At that time he said the Thump Air is still in final testing. I think only Chris has flown a Badland with it and Scott Skallski has flown with it but, I'm not sure what ultralight, po...

Expensive stuff but I think Oratex in the long run will be well worth it. Would be good if Polini had a state side distribution instead of just order processing.

It would probably be better to start a Smart Carb thread for all this. Rusty Good point. The content of this thread concerning UL engines and the discussion about carb, smart carb 2, or EFI has been moved to - https://badland103forum.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=282 for continued discussion. Please g...

In our desire to get the best out of our engines and flight, I've found two interesting videos. The first is from Tucker Gott (PPG pilot and major YouTuber). Tucker was contacted by Vittorazi, a popular Italian PPG engine builder. Vittorazi contacted Tucker to see if he's like to fly Vittorazi engin...

In our desire to get the best out of our engines and flight, I've found two interesting videos. The first is from Tucker Gott (PPG pilot and major YouTuber). Tucker was contacted by Vittorazi, a popular Italian PPG engine builder. Vittorazi contacted Tucker to see if he's like to fly Vittorazi engin...

I did hear back from Chris that he won't be at the Midwest LSA expo next week. I'm sure his time is better spent building kits and planes. I'll keep looking for one to sit in near East TN. I'll also watch for aircraft specific testing on the SC2. Cheers, Rusty Ha! Too bad on the first part of that ...

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