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duncan_rtfm

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Everything posted by duncan_rtfm

  1. duncan_rtfm
    Hi. I have been sourcing all my wood (plywood, Hoop Pine and Cedart strips) from Boatcraft Pacific in Brisbane. However, I am moving to New Zealand (far north - Paihia or Kerikeri) and was wanting to ask for recommendations regarding a good supplier of these materials in NZ. Tyhanks in advance, Duncanj
  2. duncan_rtfm
    I am selling the wings to my Aeromax. The wing spars were built in the Aeromax factory, and I built the rest. The wings are fully built, but not covered. The Aeromax and the Airbike use identical wings, apart from the aluminium fittings to attach them to the fuselage. Same airfoil, same construction and same span. I can't complete the build, so the wings have to go to a deserving home. I'm asking $950 for the wings as well, if you wish, the full set of tail feathers (fin, rudder, h-stab and elevator). The cost of the kit to build the wings is well in excess of four times my asking price - so if you'd like to save 75% of the cost of the kit, as well as saving the 6-weeks it takes to build the wings, then grab this now. I'm based in Brisbane. Please feel free to drop me a line and come see for yourself. Sorry about some of the photos being upside-down - I don't know whiy this is, and I couldn't fix it. Apologies.
  3. duncan_rtfm
    Oops - It seems I was less than clear. I ive in Aus, but my son resides in SA. He is wanting to learn to fly and has been offered a PPL or a Microlight licence path. I know nothing about Microlite licences in SA, and I was hoping someone would have the necessary experience to say something like: "Th SA Microlite licence is roughly equivalent to a Recreational licence in Aus." Or something along those lines.
  4. duncan_rtfm
    Hi My son is in SA and is wanting to learn to fly. It seems his two options (in the area where he lives - Cape Town) are a PPL or a Microlite licence/cert (don't know the exact name). Is there anyone with some experience with this? Where can I (or he) find info regarding pilot licences in SA other than a full PPL. Regards, Duncan
  5. duncan_rtfm
    ...maybe fit floats to the Flea? Ha ha.
  6. duncan_rtfm
    My wife and I are considering moving to Paihia in Northland, NZ. I've flown into Kerikeri (once) - but don't really know much about recreational flying in the area. Anyone have any info/background/suggestions/advice? I got my PPL at North Shore aero club about 15 years ago, and have done almost no flying since then. I'm currently building a Flying Flea, which I hope to finish next year. I'd like to be able to fly in and around the Bay of Islands. Thanks.
  7. duncan_rtfm
    Thank you for your replies. I've dropped Coldsign a note asking for details, price, availability etc. Cheers, Duncan
  8. duncan_rtfm
    Hi, I'm looking for XPS foam sheets in Brisbane. I'm not interested in the crap sold by Bunnings - I'm looking for something like the Dow blue foam quality. I can get XPS sheets from Perth or Melbourne - but I'm looking for a Brisbane supplier/manufacturer. I got a dozen or so sheets from a local supplier a while back, but can't find them again. Google can't find them. Help. Any ideas?
  9. duncan_rtfm
    Hi Barry, Thank you. Duncan
  10. duncan_rtfm
    Hi Barry, I was unable to open the attachment to your message. I am guessing it was a picture of your tanks. Could you pass on the welder's contact details anyway? Thanks, Duncan
  11. duncan_rtfm
    Hi, Does anyone know of a reasonably priced and reliable outfit which can weld a custom fuel tank in the Brisbane area? Cheers, Duncan
  12. duncan_rtfm
    Any chance of finding plans for the McNair Myna? It's from Australia and New Zealand, was a kit plane in the '80s. PHOTOGRAPH: McNair Mynah ZK-FQU (c/n 003/MAANZ/403) at the Classic Wings Airshow at Omaka, NZ in 2017 (David C Eyre) https://aeropedia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/McNair-mynah-aeropedia-the-encyclopedia-of-aircrafts-australia.jpg-1536x748.jpg?v=1585364757
  13. duncan_rtfm
    How about 18 inch balloon tyres with low inflation? Works for the Aeromax...
  14. duncan_rtfm
    Plans? What plans? I'm it...
  15. duncan_rtfm
    Hi Geoff, Sounds an excellent idea. Not quite sure how to do mine, since I will also need to be testing to make sure the wings/struts don't fail (I doubt they will, but good to be sure). Duncan
  16. duncan_rtfm
    Boatcraft Pacific sell what they call Aquacote - a water-based two-part polyurethane. They recommend their undercoat which dries white, and sands easily. The top coat is thin and watery, so 2 or 3 coats is required. However I did my entire fuselage with only 250ml of the stuff. Dries as hard as rock. Also not cheap.
  17. duncan_rtfm
    Aha! Came across this: According to FAR Part 23 h = 3.6* SQRT(W/S) where W is max airplane weight in pounds and S is wing area in ft^2. H is in feet. The Fleabike weighs 300kg MAUW (660lbs). Combined wing area = 13.5m^2 (145 ft^2). 3.6*(2.13) = 7.68 inches. I'll drop mine from 9.2 inches. Duncan
  18. duncan_rtfm
    I came across this: However, nowhere is the term "S" defined. They do define "W" as weight (thank you). Aaaargh! However, from 9 to 18 inches seems about what I'd expect... https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2010-title14-vol1/pdf/CFR-2010-title14-vol1-sec23-725.pdf
  19. duncan_rtfm
    Since objects fall at a rate of 32 ft/sec, the duration of the fall would need to be quite small - nowhere near 20 ft. More like one or two feet at most I'd think
  20. duncan_rtfm
    Thanks for the comments. I know the Aeromax has rigid 3-point suspension and relies only on the fat 18-inch low pressure tyres for damping. I should give David Trump a call and get his thoughts on this. Duncan
  21. duncan_rtfm
    Excellent info kasper. You're right, mostly known, but I thin k I may have underestimated the compression on the secondary members. Thanks for the reminder. I've been looking at 25mm square aluminium also, rather than steel. Not sure about this however. Duncan
  22. duncan_rtfm
    Hi, I'm looking for 3mm mild steel sheet. I certainly don't need a full sheet (about 500mm x 500mm should do nicely). Any ideas? Thanks Duncan
  23. duncan_rtfm
    Hi, I'm at the stage where I need to start fabricating my main gear. The design calls for three triangulated steel tubes without suspension, relying rather on the cushioning effect of the 450mm balloon tyres. The plane is going to be very light (MAUW of about 300kg) so this should suffice. I have 25mm OD steel tubing in the shop which I was going to use, but I'm beginning to think that the 1.2mm wall thickness isn't going to cut it. Any suggestions? Experience? Regards, Duncan
  24. duncan_rtfm
    Some years ago my wife and I visited Muriwai (on the coast near Auckland) and watched fascinated as hundreds of Gannets did great big circles out to sea and then back towards the rocks, skimming the cliffs by mere inches. And then off they'd go again for another circuit. I followed a single bird on his circuit, and he flew with amazing precision, time and time again. Truly amazing. Just having fun it looked like.
  25. duncan_rtfm

    Hi,

    Anyone know where I can get decals/stencils/wrap to apply to my white-painted fuselage and wings?  (I'm in Brisbane).

     

    Paint scheme.png

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