F2 Build
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 11:07 am
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
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
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?