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rgmwa

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Everything posted by rgmwa

  1. Yes, traditionally homebuilt aircraft were a collection of new and used parts put together as a cheap way of getting a generally low performance aircraft on a small budget. Over the years companies like Vans have enabled builders to construct brand new high performance aircraft that can out-perform many commercial aircraft. With rising costs the wheel may turn and force many builders to go back to more basic designs and used components. I think Vans will get out of their troubles but the question is what will happen to the current employee ownership model and who will control the future direction of the company. There are probably plenty of Chinese investors with deep pockets who would be interested.
  2. If and when Vans sort out their business issues and hopefully they will, I wouldn't be surprised to see the price of RV kits increase by 20%-30%.
  3. To me it looks like a aircraft (flying boat) with a service ceiling of about 2 metres.
  4. Not exactly recreational flying, but an interesting historical video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l_8DQJDRFM&ab_channel=TheUSMilitaryChannel
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  5. Yeah, I think you're right.
  6. I've had a Saf-Air drain valve in my 912ULS oil tank for about 7 years. It worked very well but started leaking a few months ago, so I replaced it with a new one. It's leaking too - not impressed. Does anyone else use Curtis, Fumoto or other brands in their aircraft and where did you get them from?
  7. Out of curiosity I just checked to see how much trade-in Apple would give me on my iPad Mini 4 (wifi+ cellular) if I upgraded to the current Mini. They offered me $75!
  8. It’s an animal suit - the sort of thing you’d put on if you wanted to pretend you’re a bear, a giraffe or a jackass for example, which in my opinion is what you’d be if you wanted to fly a plane wearing one.
  9. It's bad enough that the plane crashed killing the pilot, but losing the three children as well makes it particularly tragic. I don't know how any family could cope with this.
  10. I can do a turnback at altitude in my plane in a practice situation when I'm prepared for it, but if the engine ever stops unexpectedly I will be looking in front of me, not behind. It is stressful even in practice. It takes some pretty quick and firm control inputs and watching the ball and airspeed like a hawk, and I wouldn't trust myself to pull it off close to the ground in an emergency.
  11. Around the corner is great, but how far is it to the corner?
  12. I remember the HP9825. We had one in the office as well but I think only one senior engineer was trained to use it. My start in programming began with one of these: How the times have changed.
  13. I had a Kaypro, which was a pretty good computer for its day. Compact, but luggable rather than portable. I spent a lot of time writing engineering software back in those days.
  14. I also contributed at the time to support a unique project. While I didn't expect it to end in tragedy, I don't think anyone should feel bad about trying to make it a successful project.
  15. Maybe for some, Nev.
  16. One of these: Empty the acetone first.
  17. An afterthought.
  18. Any tips on flights? Is that charter flight from Aus still going?
  19. Maybe, but the one I looked at was a lot weaker than that. I got the concentrate and mixed my own. It’s cheap enough that saving a few dollars is hardly worthwhile.
  20. When I checked Radicool Premix it was only about 30% strength not 50% so check before buying.
  21. I only use demineralised water to mix coolant. I don't think filtered tap water is acceptable, although others may have a different view.
  22. Has to be 50:50. Those pre-mixed ones may only be 30% coolant. Here's the list: https://legacy.rotaxowner.com/si_tb_info/serviceinfo/si-912-016-r12.pdf
  23. Rotax manual has recommended coolants. I use 50/50 Castrol Radicool as recommended previously. That has since been changed to Radicool’s replacement, which I don’t have details of at the moment but it’s in Rotax’s current recommended fluids list.
  24. Lock wiring and then slipping it on might be worth trying. I’ve done it on Adel clamps but didn’t think of it when I was doing the hoses.
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