Sloper

Its the first duel control Couger and because this l have space between the seats, so l was thinking a single throttle mount in a far forward position between the seats.

cable should be reasonably straight.

Like a Tbar shift l suppose.

l am doing this as my children are also builders and will be learning in it at some stage, so l need to be able to control the Couger from both positions.

Had lots of fun sorting the elevator controls with the duel stick, l have the maximum spec on it travel now.

regards Bruce

Goodaye all

l am thinking of fitting the throttle between the two seats.

Proberly use a quadtrent, any thoughts??

Pro's and cons

regards Bruce

l think l have cleary stated l HATE fibreglassing.

regards Bruce

Goodaye All

l have made a little progress.

Elevators are finished, skinned, caped and waiting for paint.

Still need to do the mass balance later in the week.

Reasonably happy with the result, l have to get used to ripples in the Aluminium from rivets and forming.

l know a handbuilt aircraft will have them, just trying to minmize them.

They are easily removable, l can see me making another because at some stage it will get a ding in it.

Lines up perfectly and each side is within 2mm of size.

Skins are Sikaflexed as well as the rivets.

Only thing is you can hear the rivet heads ratteling inside or is that inside my head.

regards Bruce

If l move 3 cars out heeps.

regards Bruce

l can say l knew the exact cost of my shipping and charges before it left the States.

Shipping was rather painless.

l used UTI

regards Bruce

Goodaye all

There is a Viking in my garage.

Looks very sexy.

Still to receive the ECU as l will get it so it has the latest software.

If everyone who says they saw mine when ordering l can get he cost back after 54 orders.

Used UTI as shippers and all went very smoothly, but then again l do have arelative who works there.

So all l have to do is get on with the build.

Looks like l will have buckets of room under the cowling.

regards Bruce

You can put avgas in for top upsa and short periods.

The concern is plug fowling.

regards Bruce

Unfortunatly many of those questions wont be answered in full until more are flying.

l know there are many who are watching my outcome.

regards Bruce

Did l mention l hate fibre glassing.

At least the garage doesnt reek of fumes when l open the door now.

regards Bruce

Goodaye all

The final Bill for my Viking is less than $13.5K including shipping and gst.

Should be ready for pickup after l pay the shipping and gst, so early next week l suppose.

Jan still has the ECU, he will send that when l am ready.

Its so it can get the latest software updates.

l had a cousin look after the shipping side of things so its as expected and within budget.

Theres a slab of Crownies in the deal somewhere.

regards Bruce

Goodaye all

Been working on the elevator, l hate fibre glassing.

proberly start skinning them over the weekend.

Did l mention l hate fibre glassing.

Did l mention l hate fibre glassing.

l intend to put a couple of inspection covers in the elevator so that l can easily remove them.

My engine is being unloaded and l am waiting for the call to go and pick it up.

Made a couple of changes to the garage as well.

Put a big stereo in and hooked it up to the computer, l can finaly play my music LOUD.

Also l had to replaced the fibre glass sheets in the roof, what l did is put a batten on top and put two new sheets of poly carbonate on to replace one fibre glass.

This left a 1 inch gap the whole length of the garage and improved venterlation.

Did l mention l hate fibre glassing, glad l have a metal aircraft.

regards Bruce

The Ship has entered Bass Strait.

regards Bruce

l have just orded a book on aircraft maintenece, new $75 here, new from the US shiped to my door $25.08

l like to shop here but $50 or 200% more is nothing to sneeze at.

regards Bruce

Bugger , its ment to get here the 30tyh July .

l wondered how many people would notice.

regards Bruce

No, there's only the stuff Jan has put out.

There's some disscussion here.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Vikingaircraftengines/

regards Bruce

Goodaye all

Been busy on the weekend.

Made a couple of small changes, mainly due to my engineering thinking of failure modes (what if's)

First off l have fitted the top hinge bracket on the inside, takes the loading off the rivets.

Means if the rivets were to fail the bracket is still captured with in the skin. (the rudder might stay on)

Also l have extended the rudder pins, so if the bushing fails or the fuslauge moves alot the rudder once again should stay on.

Have also organised a towing/tiedown point, will post pics when finished.

Painted the rudder internaly and will close that up tomorrow, maybe.

The Ship with my motor has left Los Angeles.

http://aprs.fi/?call=i%2F538002881

regards Bruce

Same as a 6cyl Jab and the same mount postion, make you tkink what market Viking are targeting. :big_grin:

By the time l get 1000 hrs up l could start looking for new crate engine at a reasonable price.

regards Bruce

Yes l have tried it, leaves a dull surface that can be polished up.

l will have to grabk the bottle but from memory its a phosphoric acid based one.

Gets very diluted.

regards Bruce

Goodaye all

Thought l might give you my thoughts on why l choose a Viking.

l do have a bit of engineering background.

First cost.

Big savings on the initial purchase.

Uses premium unleaded.

Service costs, l doubt l will need to do anything to the heads in the first 500 hrs like a certain well known engine.

l can get engine parts from my nearest Honda dealer.

l expect my hourly flying cost to be pretty low.

Reliabilty

Its a Honda and there millions of the things, l checked out the particuler engine with a dealer and they have no issues at all (but that is in a car)

Twin ICU's

Fuel injected, no carby icing.

Gear PSU

Tempature monitoring of PSU

Water cooled.

Now l cant see it being any less reliable than current aircraft engines, a through inspection before flight, maintenence should pick up any majour issues.

As far as maintence is concerned l will get my ticket for it and know that it is right, my motto is if in doubt throw it out.

So out of l expect to have a safe engine that would be just as reliable as some of other offerings and know l can acturly afford to fly.

As for them being out of low milage wrecks, l am not overly worried.

Just remember l am registering it as a experimental and l am experimenting.

regards Bruce

Goodaye all

l got a copy of the email the people in the US had, basicly the paper trail for that container was forgotton, so the container sat.

Will know be leaving the 10th

Its one of the first here.

regards Bruce

The container with my engine was left behind in los Angelos.

No one knows why.

regards Bruce

Goodaye all

Been a while since l updated you all on my progress, been busy at work and putting power steering on the 57 Chev.

The rudder is close to completion, my oldest son has been deburring and helping out.

Had to cut my bench height 60mm because of the rudder post hitting the roof.

Also have decided to use solid riverts on the trailing edge for asthetics.

The ship with my engine leaves Florida on Sunday and gets her 23 July.

For a bit of fun can anybody identify the bike in the back off the second picture?

regards Bruce

Its in transit by boat.

regards bruce