BirdDog Posted January 7, 2020 Posted January 7, 2020 That's one of the major reasons why I built my own. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to build my own. Time is my enemy. I could start it, but it would be 2030 before I would finish! LOL! 1
skippydiesel Posted January 7, 2020 Posted January 7, 2020 I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to build my own. Time is my enemy. I could start it, but it would be 2030 before I would finish! LOL! Birddog : All that thee wishes for will be thin (on delivering up your first born child) Na ! seriously though, I am the agent for ATEC aircraft in Australia. All of their aircraft are available, to the skint/economy minded, as ultra quick build kits. Ideal for the aspiring aviator short on build time. With all the bits on hand (engine, avionics, wiring, plumbing) the airframe is almost a plug a play to a finished aircraft - could be flying within a week of delivery. Check out the Au & Czech web sites for performance info. I advised a high degree of scepticism when reading/listening to manufacturers/owners performance claims for their aircraft. The "sexier" looking the aircraft, the tendency toward inflated claims. Look carefully at aircraft weight/fuel flow/rpm/ claimed endurance for a given tank capacity - does it all "fit" together logicly or do some figures just "not compute" ??? Finally how the aircraft you are "looking at" compares with the independently verified performance of the World speed record holder powered by Rotax 912 ULS (100 hp) - Soneri VH-SGS If you want an interactive spreadsheet options/price list contact me or Dexter - All pricing in Eu so subject to exchange rate.
BirdDog Posted January 7, 2020 Posted January 7, 2020 Good looking aircraft man! What's the price point? 1
Downunder Posted January 8, 2020 Author Posted January 8, 2020 Good looking aircraft man! What's the price point? Oh no!......now you've started it..... 1
skippydiesel Posted January 8, 2020 Posted January 8, 2020 Good looking aircraft man! What's the price point? BirdDog - You will find contact details http://www.atecplanes.com.au/faeta.htm - Request a price/options spread sheet for kit Zephyrs & Faetas. This will allow you to select the options you want with the price (in Eu) coming up automatically.
skippydiesel Posted January 10, 2020 Posted January 10, 2020 BirdDog - I see you have asked for/received the ATEC aircraft price/options spread sheets - On one point I have erred: The 600 kg MTOW allowance, I mentioned, refers to Faeta aircraft fitted with wing tanks. Faeta & Zephyr aircraft fitted with fuselage tanks, have a 544 kg MTPW limit
BrendAn Posted January 9 Posted January 9 Old thread but I wanted to bring up the trim subject again. We spoke about it a few weeks back. Seems I am keeping the xair I would like to fix the trim issues. We discussed fixed tabs but I am not keen on them. I can fit a Bungy in the cockpit from the stick to a fixed central point to correct the aileron roll . Trying to figure out what to do with the rudder. Still some sort of bungi system but where to attach it. Or possibly a cable operated rudder trim tab as last resort. Looking for ideas. 1
skippydiesel Posted January 10 Posted January 10 Hi BrendAn, I am going down a similar track for my Sonex - flies straight & level, hands/feet off, in Cruise with just me aboard. Stick a good sized adult (75kg+) in the right seat and a load of aileron & rudder trim is required. I had a bungee aileron trlm on my Zephyr, didnt need it for the rudder. Very simple/intuitive & light weight. Worked very well. I have acquired a whole role of bungee/shock cord with which to make the trim system. Will need at least two pulleys and one cam cleat per trim (rudder/aileron). I have been checking out variose marine suppliers for the pulleys & cleats - all available. Yet to work out the location of pullies . I rarely have a passenger, so no rush to do the job- get down to it in the cooler months. I may be able to help you with some shock cord. 😈 1
BrendAn Posted January 10 Posted January 10 (edited) i can do a very simple bungie trim off the left stick, i only need slight right pressure to maintain level flight. xair ailerons can't be adjusted independently otherwise i could get what i want with adjustment. that idea might be wrong anyway. still need to figure out something for the rudder. preferably in the cockpit as well. Edited January 10 by BrendAn 1
robinsm Posted January 10 Posted January 10 had a small fixed trim tab attached to my ruder on my Xair. Once adjusted, flew hands off in a straight line. Simple but effective. 2 1 1
facthunter Posted January 10 Posted January 10 You only Need Pitch trim unless it has Multiple engines that are off centre. Set it to work in Level cruise with the FIXED tab.. It's NOT a Spitfire.. I've seen a few people get crossed up with rudder and aileron trim. Not good when you do that. Nev 1
BrendAn Posted January 10 Posted January 10 1 hour ago, robinsm said: had a small fixed trim tab attached to my ruder on my Xair. Once adjusted, flew hands off in a straight line. Simple but effective. 1 hour ago, robinsm said: had a small fixed trim tab attached to my ruder on my Xair. Once adjusted, flew hands off in a straight line. Simple but effective. Yes. That's the normal way. Blue a sent a pic of one similar.. my thruster had a fixed tabs in the ailerons . I can do this I just don't like drilling holes through the Dacron. 1 1
BrendAn Posted January 10 Posted January 10 1 hour ago, robinsm said: had a small fixed trim tab attached to my ruder on my Xair. Once adjusted, flew hands off in a straight line. Simple but effective. different subject, how much fuel did you burn per hour on your trip to camerons corner. 1
skippydiesel Posted January 21 Posted January 21 On 10/01/2026 at 12:51 PM, BrendAn said: ..................... xair ailerons can't be adjusted independently otherwise i could get what i want with adjustment. that idea might be wrong anyway. Hi BrendAn, To the best of my understanding; A conventional aileron (differential movement) can not be adjusted to alter lateral trim (even if the ailerons are independently adjustable, as they are on my Sonex). The ailerons will "centre" automatically with air loads, negating any adjustments you make. You can use a fixed trim tab on an aileron to "deflect" one side or other, as the air load will force that aileron up/down but this is not the same as adjusting for variable load once in the air. Adjustable trim (spring/bungee, mechanical, electric) is the usual way of inflight aileron trim adjustment. My Sonex lateral trim has been done by adjusting each sides flap position - very effective😈 1
rodgerc Posted January 21 Posted January 21 I’ve seen draft seals used to good effect….Start off with a piece 300mm long and keep trimming back until you’re satisfied 2
skippydiesel Posted January 21 Posted January 21 Rodgerc, Yes almost any device that will cause drag/deflection of airflow will do the job (depending on aircraft weight/speed). Both BrendAn & I are trying to come up with KISS in-flight/in-cockpit adjustment systems, rather than a fixed tab. As a general rule, fixed tabs will not work for significant changes in lateral ( a Pax) load.😈 2 1
robinsm Posted January 21 Posted January 21 On 10/01/2026 at 6:20 PM, BrendAn said: different subject, how much fuel did you burn per hour on your trip to camerons corner. to memory, roughly 20lts/hr. Engine 582 with oil injection. I extended tanks to take 90 ltrs. Aoso carried 20lts in a jerry can on pass seat with portable fuel pump to transfer in flight if needed. Refuel from Goulburn at Griffiths, Ivanhoe and Broken hill. Then at car punp at packsaddle roadhouse and Cameron Corner. Same in reverse. Plan was then Innaminka and Birdsville but the conditions were against me so a very pleasant 3 days at the corner and then return. Ivanhoe required a short walk into town to get furel, Packsaddle was a creative landing and rewfuelling..nod nod. Absolutely no problems with engine or fuel... Caming gear on floor in cabin and cooking gear in small luggage compartment behind seat. Great trip Photo is cameron corner. 4 1
BrendAn Posted January 21 Posted January 21 8 hours ago, robinsm said: to memory, roughly 20lts/hr. Engine 582 with oil injection. I extended tanks to take 90 ltrs. Aoso carried 20lts in a jerry can on pass seat with portable fuel pump to transfer in flight if needed. Refuel from Goulburn at Griffiths, Ivanhoe and Broken hill. Then at car punp at packsaddle roadhouse and Cameron Corner. Same in reverse. Plan was then Innaminka and Birdsville but the conditions were against me so a very pleasant 3 days at the corner and then return. Ivanhoe required a short walk into town to get furel, Packsaddle was a creative landing and rewfuelling..nod nod. Absolutely no problems with engine or fuel... Caming gear on floor in cabin and cooking gear in small luggage compartment behind seat. Great trip Photo is cameron corner. fantastic. 1
BrendAn Posted January 21 Posted January 21 10 hours ago, rodgerc said: I’ve seen draft seals used to good effect….Start off with a piece 300mm long and keep trimming back until you’re satisfied great idea. good way to experiment without drilling holes
skippydiesel Posted January 21 Posted January 21 10 hours ago, BrendAn said: great idea. good way to experiment without drilling holes One Sonex owner uses velcro to do temporary instals of trim systems. When deciding on an appropriate size for my fixed rudder trim, I used double sided tape to attache diffrent lengths of curved aluminium. In fact the double sided tape is so secure, my last test piece is still in position two years later.😈 1 1
djpacro Posted January 22 Posted January 22 They work well. Under the aileron and on the rudder in these photos. Extract of a magazine article by Darrol Stinton. 1 1
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