Cheetah kit

[Guest Flyer40]

One other thing for those who have considered the Cheetah, but have been put off by the "rough around the edges" charm, or the cockpit noise.The rough bit is due to Garry building it in 3 weeks, and because he tends to go hard and accept little imperfections here and there. It is perfectly possible to finish it immaculately, as I hope to demonstrate.

The noise is due to a few things.

 

First, the radio is the old Microair 760N and he is using the inbuilt intercom which has a hot mike. I hate it. There's no point using my Bose X in there. Mine is the new 760P which has vox intercom. That, and the Powermate regulator, should mean the radio will be brilliant.

 

Also, Garry has deliberately left a half inch gap right around the rear of the canopy to provide flow through ventilation. It works brilliantly, but adds to the noise. With mine we are putting a fibreglass lip right around the bulkhead where the canopy closes, and sealing with rubber. I'm putting a vent in the canopy hat to allow air egress.

 

Finally, there is no insulation. The steel firewall and metal sides act like drums.

 

I have applied foam backed sisalation type stuff to the firewall, under the parcel shelf, and various other places to absorb vibration and noise. I think it will be a lot better. I threw some in the Sierra while I was at it.

 

Just thought I'd mention these things, because I've heard a few comments along these lines. Don't be put off. Your mileage will vary.

 

Come for a ride in mine sometime.

 

Ross

Thanks for the advice Ross, I really appreciate these comments. I've been toying with some idea's about sound insulation etc but of course they're just idea's for me at this stage. Looking forward to seeing how you turn them into reality.

 

I'd like to take you up on your offer to go for a ride when you're finished.

 

For me, I'm going to have more time to think up idea's coz with a huge mortgage and never ending interest rate rises I suspect I'm being overly ambitious about starting a build project at this time.

 

 

[kfowler]

hello ross how far off finishing your cheetah are you as i have just soloed last week end i will be going over to taree very soon to test the cheetah how are you going with the sound treatment and how long have you been building it thank you

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Hi kfowler.

 

Congrats on the solo

 

I've been building about 8 or 9 weeks and should be test flying within the next 4 weeks or so. It is a quick build design. Garry built the first Cheetah in 3 weeks.

 

The sound treatment just involved gluing some dense foam-backed stuff with metal film on one side to the firewall and some other spots. I will carpet the cockpit floor and upholster the sides too. Garry can show you when you check out the Sierra. If you go before I'm finished I can show you mine.

 

Garry will be finished the Sierra within 3 weeks.

 

I bet you'll love it.

 

Ross

 

 

[kfowler]

thanks ross the serria i would love to build one but the cheetah will be the first the guys in my area there are ten of us getting our pilots cert i will be the first so the first plane should be a cheetah we should have a lot of fun with it my wife and i are going all over oz in it we hope

 

 

[conran]

new to this

 

Hi has anyone finished the cheetah yet?

 

Hows it flying?

 

Love the look, not far off getting my own,

 

Some one told me the tail is a bit lose?

 

J

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Hi J.

 

Check this forum for lots of info, and especially this thread about my experience with mine.

 

I have over 150 hours on her now, and still love it.

 

The tail is not a bit loose.

 

Cheers,

 

Ross

 

 

[conran]

Thanks great news, enjoyed the read'. So much info to go through when choosing a plan

 

May see you up there in my own soon

 

Cheers

 

Josh