Mhalc

in process picture of the shrink tubing labels in use.

Thats great, I hate to see business go under because of this.

If they did not fold as a result of being out of business 2.5 months? I sure hope not, they have a very nice product.

Back to the original topic: As little as possible. So far I have been able to fly locally (see below) and have made several xcountry flights where the economy is open. Did cancel 2 flights due to local shutdowns at the destination. But all in all still getting flights in.

I used this approach on my Lightning build. It’s a bit pricey, at about $1/ft US on eBay. Combine that with my label makers inability to control the print spacing, lots of waste. That said I really like the results.

Fortunately the blades I wanted, they had in stock from Sensenich. But I am sure your are correct about the “extreme lockdown” measures.

Well its nice to know the southern latitudes have the same political issues the northern ones do! As for GA/experimental flying here, mostly it depends on your destination. Here I have traveled to northern CA, AZ, and TX (mostly because business are open) and have been able to enjoy my new build. That said, I did cancel a few planned trips due to closures at the destinations. Keep you tanks topped up, and your tach time increasing :)

I hope the “shutdowns world wide” don’t impact their “enviable reputation”. I ordered a new Airmaster hub/computer with Sensenich blades for my lightning the first of March. I hope to have it someday, but reply’s have be slow and dodgy. Hopefully once some of the restrictions are lifted it will improve. But someday I hope to have some performance numbers :).

How would this apply to “experimental amateur built” (EAB) or the Australian equivalent? Where the builder is the manufacturer responsible for the POH and AD’s (airframe)?

Not sure why my kit was as fat as it turned out, equipment and landing gear selection is part of it. I should have weight the kit components prior to building. As for the Sling 2, I flew one to get current and was one of the aircraft I considered while doing my initial research. As with most performance numbers the Sling routinely max cruised at 110kts (125mph), and operating with the LSA weight limit could only carry 16gal of fuel, no baggage. The EAB version helped but would not carry 2 people, baggage and full fuel. The Sling flew very nice, just did not meet my mission. The Esqual is similar to the Lightning and is ~100lbs lighter (typical build). As you can see from the above “Off Airport Landing (crash)” the Lightning airframe is quite durable, my friend walked away without a scratch and the desire to build a 2nd Lightning. BTW the new carbon fiber airframes from Europe look to be both very strong, and light. I am looking forward to seeing one first hand!

Yes still in business, and the new product has been upgraded. (Plastic parts are now brass/stainless). As for the performance, where I fly in the western US, cruising altitudes are 7500’ to 12500’ for me. I have found it to be very effective at these altitudes. (Yes on the portable OX). Marc

This was a friend of mine, and he walked away from the off-airport-landing :) without a scratch. In the end, both the builder & insurance company declared the aircraft a total loss. BTW he just finished building his 2nd lightning and should get its 1st flight in soon.

Interesting idea for experimental aircraft. I have built 2 fixed wing models using the pixhawk autopilot. The software has tons of features some of which may or may not be useful for manned aircraft. But the 2 models I built will auto-takeoff, fly gps waypoints at altitude, and auto-land. I am sure the features you want could be adapted nicely!

Thanks for the welcome, and yes CA is our home base for now. Over the years my flying friends have all scattered as we reached retirement age and forums, blogs, and email have become methods of keeping connected between the prized in person visits! :). I have been a anonymous viewer of your forum throughout my build process. Marc

Not sure how much detail you would like, but here are the basic’s: Empty Weight: 926lbs - this is FAT for a classic Lightning build, with most in the 840-875 range. Gross Weight 1650lbs - Me, Wife, 50lbs baggage, full fuel -> 1590 and with in the CG range :) Fuel Burn: 5-6gal/hr - I tend to run at the top end of the cruise settings Cruise: 150 mph - I expected slightly more, but FAT empty weight may be the contributing factor. Stall Landing Config - 45 mph CHT’s tend to run in the 250-260 deg F range - here in Southern CA you need to climb ~8000’ to go anywhere. EGT’s well balanced and with HACman 1350 deg F easy to maintain Oil Temp’s 190-200 deg F Some build notes: Electronics: dual EFIS (GRT), iPad, VerticalPower circuit breakers, AP (GRT) LSA style landing gear The heavy panel, and LSA style landing gear added most of the extra weight. Arion just changed the wing spar’s from composite to carbon fiber which reduces kit weight by more than 40lbs. Future additions: Considering Airmaster CS prop Engine Modifications - more to come once the test stand engine modifications are complete

Finished my first build in 12/2019 (EAB) Arion Lightning with a Gen.4 3300. With 80 hrs. complete, all was going as plan, until the COVID shutdown everything. Still plan CA->KS->FL->VA->NY->AZ->CA cross country this summer/fall.