F2 Build

[KSXKflight5]

Build completed and awaiting the right weather for that first flight.

So, life is busy. Here I am finally ready to embark on that first flight. I am roughly a year behind on when I originally thought I would be taking my F2 to the skies. Build progress was slowed by other things in life and family, but here we are.

A short summary of the story. Came across Badland Aircraft around August of 2019. I was looking for an ultralight design that looked like an actual airplane and had a legit structure around the cockpit (sorry, legs dangling in the breeze is not for me). Kit ordered in January of 2020 standing in the driveway of Badland aircraft. I picked up my kit on November 5, 2020.

I had all the intent in the world to be flying Spring of 2022. At first, I was very much on track. However, life is busy. Other things took my time and attention. However, here we are spring of 2023. I satisfactorily completed taxi tests last night, and am awaiting the right weather to go fly. Maybe next week.

I made some changes to my build along the way. I also learned many things. From my original plans I have….
Changed from planning a Polini 250DS to a 303DS
Due to a firm belief of part 103 I have removed the electric start, starter relay, the lead acid battery for a smaller lithium battery, traded in my mechanical airspeed indicator for a lighter electronic one (gained an altimeter and vertical speed in the process), decided on a smaller main gear tire than originally hoped for, kept to 160mm brake rotors, fabricated an aluminum fuel tank that is lighter than oem plastic tank, changed my axle shafts to 7075T6 aluminum shafts, found a 4 point harness with a lighter automotive style buckle than the rotary buckle I originally had, and of course had great support from Badland whenever my planning was unable to create a solution. I had to compromise on a few things due to all that weight in paint . I have never learned so much about paint and finish. I used Stewarts Systems for my covering. I also did some major alterations to the cowling for those last 2 pounds. All told, we are 254 pounds for part 103 compliance.

Those of you who frequent OSH might recall seeing my fuse in 2021. I will post a few pics here shortly.

Lane

[KSXKflight5]

More pics

[Mountain Cat]

Congrats!! Extremely nice bird!! One to be proud of. Glad you made Pt 103 without too much trouble.

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

More pics

Welcome Lane. I did see your plane in the pictures posted from Chris's display. Love the paint scheme. Simply amazing look. Awesome you made Part 103. Ah, just one more to be envious of while I wait for my kit to be built. Welcome to the forum. I'm looking forward to hearing of your adventures/flights and learning how you solved issues. In the picture on the runway, where are you flying out of?

Todd

[KSXKflight5]

Todd,
That pic is of runway 17 during taxi tests at KSXK. It’s my home airport & where I work daily.

Lane

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Todd,
That pic is of runway 17 during taxi tests at KSXK. It’s my home airport & where I work daily.

Lane

Very nice. It must be great working at an airfield. I'm sure you've seen some awesome aircraft. I'm hoping to buy some property when I move to Florida later this year. Hopefully enough to have my own grass strip. If not, I've found a nice little airport (42J), Keystone Heights that I hope to find a home near. There seams to be a lot of ultralights in the area. It should be a nice area to fly out of.

Thanks,
Todd

[LA F2 Flyer]

Welcome Lane! So YOU'RE the owner of that pretty bird! I do recall seeing it in one of the Osh videos online, and being really impressed with the color scheme. Love it.

Keep us posted as to how the taxi tests go, and what the first flight is like. We would also love to hear your opinion on the flight characteristics when the time comes!

[Bruce_L]

What a great accomplishmernt. 254 pounds complete with the 303, and all the additional weight of the cooling system.
I lreally like the picture of the folded wings inside your trailer. Hope you post more pictures soon.

[KSXKflight5]

Today was the day. Winds Vrb @ 5 and 72 degrees air temperature. 4 landings total today and about an hour total time on the airplane. What a reward for all the work put in to build the aircraft.

Only issues, a small coolant leak. All told the flight was predictable. I am excited to explore the flight envelope more. For today I did not fly slower than 38 knots (other than TOALs) or exceed 30 degrees of bank, or fly level at max power. BUT I did fully prove directional control with no flaps, flaps first notch, and flaps second notch. More testing to come.

Lane

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Today was the day. Winds Vrb @ 5 and 72 degrees air temperature. 4 landings total today and about an hour total time on the airplane. What a reward for all the work put in to build the aircraft.

Only issues, a small coolant leak. All told the flight was predictable. I am excited to explore the flight envelope more. For today I did not fly slower than 38 knots (other than TOALs) or exceed 30 degrees of bank, or fly level at max power. BUT I did fully prove directional control with no flaps, flaps first notch, and flaps second notch. More testing to come.

Lane

CONGRATULATIONS Lane!

So awesome to hear, and excellent on the very successful testing process!

On those landings, where they two or three point touch does? I'm guessing by the speed they were two, but asking to clarify.

Really impressive.

Todd

[KSXKflight5]

Todd,
I prefer wheel landings (or two point). As I become more proficient I will work with 3 point as well. I followed the same process with my RV-4. Gradually adding more and more to my skill set.

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Todd,
I prefer wheel landings (or two point). As I become more proficient I will work with 3 point as well. I followed the same process with my RV-4. Gradually adding more and more to my skill set.

I'm also going to have to take it slow on landings. I've only ever flown a Cessna 152 and 182. Once I get to Florida, I plan on going to Holladay Aviation flight training (https://www.holladayaviation.com/traini ... ransition/). They are one of the few that still offer Ultralight training, and they also train in a Cub for tail wheel landings. I'd be foolish to say that I'm not a bit on the nerves about ground loops. I do plan on doing some off field back country landings, so the skill is needed.

Thanks,
Todd

[Bruce_L]

Sounds to me like all the hard work really paid off. Good motivation for all of us who are much earlier in our builds. When/where can we see a video? Your plane looks great on the taxiway.

[KSXKflight5]

Thanks Bruce. I am going to put some video out there in due time. I will post to the Multimedia folder when I do so.

Also, 2 of pictures from yesterday didn't post well. Here is another attempt from my computer instead of mobile.

LM

[LA F2 Flyer]

Congrats! I saw a brief video on FB. So awesome! And it makes me even more excited for my next round of flight instruction this Saturday. Looking forward to more flight videos from you!

[ksatter26]

Wow! Great work. I'm shooting for late summer/early fall. Making the weight will be tough ... same problem with my MiniMAX 1103R.

Looks really good.

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Thanks Bruce. I am going to put some video out there in due time. I will post to the Multimedia folder when I do so.

Also, 2 of pictures from yesterday didn't post well. Here is another attempt from my computer instead of mobile.

LM

That really is a very nice looking plane, and great to see it in the air. As Bruce mentioned, it's good motivation for us all to make progress on our plans to one day fly. Looking forward to those future flight videos.

Todd