While the Bearhawk might seem to be on the more experimental side of the experimental airplane spectrum, that's not always a bad thing.
Yahoo's aptly named Bearhawk support group is a great resource. I mean, where else can you find people telling you how to position your pitot tube, put skis on your plane, and land it? Yeah, I thought so. I've been getting the daily emails, but really need to delve into the old messages.
One of our concerns is the fact that we need to find out what revisions have been made between the time this plane was originally worked on, and now. The people in that group are really helpful and intelligent, which is what we'll need to have on our side in the coming months...
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Torrance Fire Department
Should be satisified with our hangar's new fire extinguisher: 2A-10BC rated. $30 at Lowe's.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Where to start?
It's taking a while to absorb everything about the Bearhawk. Up until a few months ago, the Sonex was at the forefront, so all of my focus was on learning about a small aluminum plane. Catching up on the Bearhawk has been quite the challenge, with so many sources of information (the fairly simple plans, actual manuals, magazines, forums, and so on...). There's a sort of DIY/Wild West mentality about the Bearhawk vs. the structured factory plans that come with the Sonex. I guess that embraces the experimental nature of this plane. And with the changes made by the original builder of this one, it makes it that much more...interesting.
A few observations from what I've looked at so far:
1) The mods we were planning on making are probably a great idea, because they will get us that much more insight into the current structure.
2) We'll need to do a lot of material inspection and measuring to ensure that this thing ends up solid but not overweight.
3) One mod we discussed (large access panel on the empennage) is in the builder's manual, so I don't feel so guilty about the damage I did to the fabric during the horizontal stabilizer removal. Knowing that, I probably could have removed the four final screws in something less than the four hours it actually took me while lying on the ground in -6 F winter weather.
Next up we'll come up with a good plan of attack, and then systematically improve and complete the plane.
A few observations from what I've looked at so far:
1) The mods we were planning on making are probably a great idea, because they will get us that much more insight into the current structure.
2) We'll need to do a lot of material inspection and measuring to ensure that this thing ends up solid but not overweight.
3) One mod we discussed (large access panel on the empennage) is in the builder's manual, so I don't feel so guilty about the damage I did to the fabric during the horizontal stabilizer removal. Knowing that, I probably could have removed the four final screws in something less than the four hours it actually took me while lying on the ground in -6 F winter weather.
Next up we'll come up with a good plan of attack, and then systematically improve and complete the plane.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Manuals are Here
Just downloaded Eric Newton's Bearhawk builder manuals. I already had the Fuselage volume, but Don plumped for the Wings and Finishing volumes.
Naturally, I am starting with Finishing.
My end of the bargain is to order Russ Erb's Bearhawk data CD. Lisa will do it for me, since she actually has a PayPal account.
Naturally, I am starting with Finishing.
My end of the bargain is to order Russ Erb's Bearhawk data CD. Lisa will do it for me, since she actually has a PayPal account.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Cabin Configuration
We're not planning on using these Cessna 152 seats, but they're kinda useful for trying out seating scenarios.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Hands Clean For Now
We are WAY ahead of where we ever thought we'd be with a Bearhawk by now. So far ahead that we really don't know what to do next! I have not been able to meet my goal of getting my hands dirty every day with AIRPLANE BUILD, because I simply don't know what to work on.
Hence, there will be a period of "hands clean" progress (studying, reading, learning new skills), but I will still try to get my hands dirty as often as I can.
Hence, there will be a period of "hands clean" progress (studying, reading, learning new skills), but I will still try to get my hands dirty as often as I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
