zodiac3813

For sure, Nev. We have completed our Skyranger Swift build, sent the documentation off on 26/4/13 and didn't even get an acknowlegement that it had been received... we hear and read lots about renewals, but little about new aircraft applications! I just hope they are not getting shoved aside to enable the backlog of renewals to be addressed. That would be quite unfair from my slightly biased perspective!

I note that the new GM has a background as a Museum Director/Manager.... let's hope he doesn't have to re-visit that aspect of his career with RA-Aus!

Forgot to ask. What kind of prop are you spinning?

it's a wide chord Kool prop, 69" diameter.

Hey everyone, I think, in the heat of the moment, that I may have understated the hours spent on the build... it was probably more like 600-ish hours but hey, it was fun and still completed in less than a year. Thanks again to Owen Badcock, engineer extraordinaire!

Cheers, Jim.

No one in this country is going to let me, because one of my planes flew into a Ferris wheel, which was not the aircraft or the pilots fault. When the CASA guy came to look at the LSA paperwork, the first thing he said was my plane hit the wheel. Also the RAA tech guy sent me an Email stating the fact, I designed it, I built it and I owned it, so I am being screwed.Paul Bennet, when talking to him about his crap fibreglass materials, he just said it wasn't my fault my plane hit a Ferris wheel and hung up on me.

Jim, I'm impressed with your work and the plane is looking smart. How many hours have you spent to date on the construction (approximate), or when did you commence construction?

I received the kit at the end of August 2012, and have just finished it, with some help from an engineering friend in the latter stages. It was a relatively simple build: we spent, I guess, around 450 hours on the project (I kept a written and photo log, but didn't tally the hours).

The construction methods are very simple yet very strong, and the end result is a robust aircraft that will cruise at (probably) 80-90 knots, with around 400 NM range and good short field performance. Total cost (with a 2nd hand Rotax 912S) around 40K.

I would recommend the kit for a first-time builder (I have previously built a Zenair Zodiac from scratch: 3,500 hours!).

Cheers, Jim.

Missed this one....

Thanks everyone, here are a couple more photos of the build . Thanks again Greg for all your support! Hope to fly up and visit some day in the not too distant future. For anyone in the market for a quick build, value-for-money, robust kit aircraft: I can recommend the Skyranger... 8 months spare time from arrival to completion! Cheers, Jim.

Hi, does anyone know what happened to the forum topic that dealt with discussion regarding latest developments at RA-Aus HQ? In particular, the progression of aircraft registrations.

Cheers, Jim.

The (almost) finished product....

I missed out the ducting photo I think...

Oil cooler and radiator ducting, with special thanks to my clever friend Owen ...

And the panel saga continues...

Cheers Greg, here's a latest pic...

Previous trial fit of the wing frames, flaps and ailerons: now ready for covering.

The latest photo of the Swift's progress... skin on!

Thanks Neil, I finally got it sorted and the engine is fitted (for the 6th time!). Started on the wings and almost ready to cover the fuselage.

Cheers, Jim.

Hi everyone,

has anyone else had trouble fitting the 912 to the Skyranger? The extension bracket for the ignition modules does not come with the kit, so there is not even a pattern to make one (obviously it is supplied in the UK kit). The short diagonal brace seems to interfere with the ignition pickups and everything else near it (I think it would be far better turned the opposite way to the instructions, but there's NO WAY I'm dismantling that mess of bolts, washers and tension!).... tearing my hair out! Anyone else had the same problems? Any photos of home made brackets? Any ideas???

Cheers, Jim.

My estimate for instruments for my Skyranger Swift project (A "hybrid" panel: some digital, with basic "steam guage" backup)... ASI, ALT, MGL "Extreme" EFIS with AH and compass senders, MGL V10 radio, Airbox Clarity GPS, mode C transponder and all switches, circuit breakers, isolator, etc, is around $9500.00. I already have an electric turn coordinator, so may as well use it (for it's rudder ball if nothing else). That's my tentative plan, I may change some of the components.

Cheers, Jim.

Hi Jim. Have you thought of using one of the new I Pad minis, 7.9 in screen with OZ Runways. There should be ample room on the panel for it, a lot cheaper than some of the other dedicated GPS units with a multitude of uses.Greg.

Hi Jim,Which part of Tassie are you?

 

Regards

 

Mark

Hey Jim:Looks spectacular mate.

 

Just curious, how did you get it to stand on its wheels like that without a weight at the front, or support at the back?

G'day JimIt's taking shape. Exciting times!

Once I got the floor in I didn't move it. I don't reckon you'd get the floor back in if the covering were on it anyway. If I was to do the floor again I would used carpet on thin aluminum sheetings as it bears no weight only feet when flying, and you're seated then. I reckon trying to mould the center console in with the floor might save a bit of weight too. You would then just have to mount the battery in a different way as there would be no floor where it usually sits.

 

Few pics in PDF below

 

Have fun lacing the floor.

 

Puk