Chris Interviewed at EAA

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Chris gets interviewed each year at EAA's AirVenture and this year is no different. Here's from The Experimental Aircraft Channel for 2024's show. Enjoy.



Todd

[Dobie]

Just saw the video on YouTube and came here to comment. I don’t intend to make any significant financial moves until at least after the election and we get an idea of the direction of the economy, but I’m keeping my eyes on Badlands and the Top Rudder 103 Solo. With the availability of the tricycle gear and a four stroke Chris has definitely moved ahead in the competition. I’m an 800 hr pilot but have zero tailwheel experience, and living in Central Oregon where the winds are rarely calm, the wheel on the front should make this UL much easier to handle. Presuming the Thump Air doesn’t reveal any vices as the hours accumulate, this new intro looks like the one for me.

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

The election and effect on the economy will certainly be something to watch. I've luckily got the funds stashed for my F5. I'm just waiting for Chris to get to my build. I'm also really excited about the Thump air and am really interested in the +4 hour flight time Chris mentioned. I'm also looking at the Smart Carb 2 which should provide 10% more power out of the Thump Air, along with 20% better fuel economy. Now that will make an outstanding ultralight. The emergency chute is also a nice addition. I'm apprehensive about the tail dragger, but Chris and Peer have both assured me, it's a non-issue with the Badland design. It's also nice to hear he's got some staff to help with production. All good things for Badland Aircraft.

Todd

[Dobie]

I wasn’t aware of the power increase from the Smart Carb. I live at 3000 MSL so not only is a baseline HP boost good but the altitude compensation will make the rare cross country to the other side of the Cascades easier without the worry of extreme mixtures.

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Yep, and when I first was told about it and started researching, I was thinking, yeah, all companies inflate their product stats. I kept researching, and since the SC2 is used a lot on dirt bikes, I checked YouTube. Yes there were a few (very few) negative comments about the SC2, and a bunch of positive comments about the better fuel economy as well as increased power. They are already providing SC2's to the PPG community, so adding in the UL community should be a no brainer. From what I've researched, the SC2 performs as well on 4 strokes as it does on 2 strokes. Almost seems too good to be true, and only one way to find out. Other than being rather expensive, the SC2 seems to be the very next best thing to throttle body or fuel injection, but much lighter. The auto adjusting fuel mixture is just the cherry on top!

[mrpilotron]

A nose dragger? Sacrilege!

Just to make sure I'm keeping score correctly: 4-stroke engine, Stewart System covering and paint, brakes that actually work, carbon fiber ribs, all the gauges needed plus a few that aren't, electric start, a recovery chute, and the little wheel on the wrong end. All that and it still makes legal Part 103 weight with 11 lbs to spare?

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

A nose dragger? Sacrilege!

Just to make sure I'm keeping score correctly: 4-stroke engine, Stewart System covering and paint, brakes that actually work, carbon fiber ribs, all the gauges needed plus a few that aren't, electric start, a recovery chute, and the little wheel on the wrong end. All that and it still makes legal Part 103 weight with 11 lbs to spare?

There are some that say Chris is making fat ultralights. I've seen the scales reading and Chris does things other's don't think of. He got the weight savings by changing the ribs out with carbon fiber as you have listed.

Some things to consider and you'll need to check with Chris on - I'm not sure about the Stewart Systems covering and paint. I know that Stewart Systems claims their covering material is lighter than Oratex, but I've not heard them make that claim with paint. I think paint would cause their covering to be heavier. I'm not positive on this, so take it with a grain of salt and your own due diligence. Honestly, I would love it if Stewart Systems with paint would be equal or lighter. I would like to have a gloss finish, which of course we can't get with the Oratex colors. Also, Chris doesn't say if that's a half naked look or full covering.

You also might want to check if the ThumpAir he's talking about has a starter on it or if it's pull start.

Chris has always innovated to make improvements. I have no doubt this is Part 103 legal, with some to spare.

Right now, Chris and Scott (the engine maker for the ThumpAir) have the TBO at 300hrs. I'm betting that with proper care and after testing is complete it'll be more in the 500hr range. At least I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Todd

[fly44d]

Just to be clear... I have not landed on a beach.
Yet.