sseeker Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 G'Day Everyone, After many months of conversation with a member of Calingiri club I'm now the proud owner of a Pterodactyl Ascender, whose rego will be 10-0111. Richard (who now lives in NZ) used to own the Pterodactyl however he very kindly passed it onto me as it was being stored in WA. I now have the Pterodactyl for restoration. As far as I'm aware it will be the only registered and flying Pterodactyl in Australia?? "Papillion" Parked in my brothers back yard. "Papillion" in flight. I will post regular updates about my progress with her. You can also check out my blog for regular photos and updates (www.andrewbooth.id.au) Thank you to Colin, Richard & Bob (Riley) for there support and assistance in the acquisition of Papillion. -Andrew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Good stuff Andrew, looks like some fun! What sort of motor has it got in it at the moment? I think Windsor has a mate overseas somewhere that has a flying one of these - Don? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgmwa Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Congratulations Andrew, I'm impressed! It has more rigging, masts and sails than your average clipper ship, and now I understand where the term `control stick' came from. Just make sure you check the seat straps before you take off. Love to see you fly into Jandakot. That would make the controllers sit up and take notice! Cheers rgmwa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfGnome Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Geez. There wouldn't want to be too many bindiis in the grass when you're landing... Good on you for having a shot at something a bit different. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest davidh10 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 That's certainly striking. Do I assume correctly that it is not ground steerable? All wheels look to be fixed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sseeker Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Good stuff Andrew, looks like some fun!What sort of motor has it got in it at the moment? I think Windsor has a mate overseas somewhere that has a flying one of these - Don? Hi Tomo, It has a Cuyuna 430R, 45HP, 2 stroke with 2:1 belt reduction. There are loads of these flying overseas. You can buy them new as a kit for around $6500USD (engine included). Congratulations Andrew,I'm impressed! It has more rigging, masts and sails than your average clipper ship, and now I understand where the term `control stick' came from. Just make sure you check the seat straps before you take off. Love to see you fly into Jandakot. That would make the controllers sit up and take notice! Cheers rgmwa Thanks rgm, she looks a bit different. But it's a real rag and tube! Was having a laugh with my brother about flying into Jandakot. Those in the traffic pattern would be pretty upset Geez. There wouldn't want to be too many bindiis in the grass when you're landing... Good on you for having a shot at something a bit different. Yeah the seat is pretty low. It's going to be replaced with a 'cross country' seat which is basically stronger, more comfortable and has side pockets. Thanks mate That's certainly striking. Do I assume correctly that it is not ground steerable? All wheels look to be fixed? Yes that's correct, the training manual says you can steer on the ground using the tip rudders although I don't think this is safe. Steering with your feet during takeoff is a no go, taxiing is ok apparently. Thanks, Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litespeed Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 You are braver than me. Good on Ya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil_S Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Hi Andrew, Wow - that looks like fun! Not only "Flying by the seat of your pants" but "Landing by the seat of your pants" by the looks of it! Would like to see some more video/pix when you are able. Cheers Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 You have to come to NatFly with that mate...what a looker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sseeker Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Part 1: Story of a Pterodactyl cross-USA flight. -Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winsor68 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Good stuff Andrew, looks like some fun!What sort of motor has it got in it at the moment? I think Windsor has a mate overseas somewhere that has a flying one of these - Don? Yes Andrew... I have a Facebook friend called Mark Zinkel. He acquired a Ptera in about the same condition looks like as yours with a Cyuna. He has been restoring it for the last couple of years... its taking him a while as he is just out of Highschool over there. He actually did his internship at the DFE Factory (they manufacture them) in the states... and did his first solo in a factory machine. http://www.pflying.com/ <==== his blog http://www.pterodactylhangar.com/ mark@pterodactylhang ar.com 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinsm Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 now that is a bugs in the teeth machine!!!!! Cool, more photos please and updates as you have said. Really looking forward to the progress of this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultralights Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 $6500 US you say..... back while i check the bank balance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ave8rr Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Hi Andrew, as you are probably aware by now, a number of these aircraft have been involved in fatal accidents over the years. I know of one fatality in NZ (in air break up) back in the early nineties. A summary of the report is on this link http://www.taic.org.nz/AviationReports/tabid/78/ctl/Detail/mid/482/InvNumber/1992-007/Page/23/Default.aspx All the very best with getting your aircraft flying again and I look forward to reading your Blog along the way. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sseeker Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share Posted November 1, 2011 Yes Andrew... I have a Facebook friend called Mark Zinkel. He acquired a Ptera in about the same condition looks like as yours with a Cyuna. He has been restoring it for the last couple of years... its taking him a while as he is just out of Highschool over there. He actually did his internship at the DFE Factory (they manufacture them) in the states... and did his first solo in a factory machine.http://www.pflying.com/ <==== his blog http://www.pterodactylhangar.com/ mark@pterodactylhang ar.com Cheers Winsor, I've added you on facebook. Hi Andrew, as you are probably aware by now, a number of these aircraft have been involved in fatal accidents over the years. I know of one fatality in NZ (in air break up) back in the early nineties. A summary of the report is on this link http://www.taic.org.nz/AviationReports/tabid/78/ctl/Detail/mid/482/InvNumber/1992-007/Page/23/Default.aspxAll the very best with getting your aircraft flying again and I look forward to reading your Blog along the way. Cheers Yes there were a few, mainly due to incorrect assembly and incorrectly maintaing their aircraft. Many improvements have been made to the aircraft over the years. I've been in touch with DFE Ultralights and they've suggested a few ways I can improve the Pterodactyl. Hoping to do some disassembly either this weekend or the next weekend. -Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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