Virago

Sometimes I wake up grumpy ... other times I just let her sleep!

Now that IS funny Kevin! Hmmm ... I wonder if Peter Slipper should change his name too!

When I had my Beech Sundowner, I had my (then) wife taught to land it. I used to watch her doing landings and she was quite good at it. I could never get her to do a landing when I was flying but I'm sure she would have got down safely if I had been incapacitated. She was taught to land from the RH seat of course. When I upgraded to the Beech Debonair, she wasn't prepared to learn to land that but I'm sure she would have managed with some appropriate instruction. John.

I have bought the MGL Xtreme Mini EFIS (and engine management) system and the V10 VHF COMM radio. Even though my Morgan Sierra 100 project is not yet finished, I am very impressed with the MGL range. John (retired avionics LAME.)

Thanks Garry, I remember now you telling me that before. The fuselage is coming off the bench onto trestles today so I can finalize the pedals and start skinning the bottom and sides. John.

Quote: "If I haven't got it right I'll just move them" Kevin, that makes a lot of sense! John.

Hi Kevin! You're going like a house on fire there! I too broke a (chinese) vice bending the diagonal (seat back support) tubing. I've slowed down a bit lately as I've been working on fibreglass bits. I have to agree with Sloper ... I hate fibreglass!!! I'm also waiting on the seats/upholstery which I'd like to have before deciding on a final fore/aft position for the rudder pedal bars. With no adjustment available, I need to get that right. Seems the upholsterer in Taree has a three month backlog of work. How happy are you with the rudder pedal height? I would have thought it would be a bit difficult to lift feet up to the pedal tops, particularly as the need for brake application can come out of the blue quite suddenly. I've been considering lowering mine by an inch but am wide open to thoughts and suggestions. John.

Thanks Alan ... I look forward to seeing the setup photo. Best regards, John.

A good autopilot is a lifesaver Alan! Just try doing NAV or fuel calculations in a gusty headwind halfway across the Nullabor without one ... I know, I've done it (in the Sundowner). My Debonair had an S-TEC 50 autopilot with altitude hold and the workload was much easier. I'm waiting on MGL releasing their proposed firmware to turn my EFIS into an autopilot (just add servos). Do you have altitude hold on the Sierra? If so, where is the servo mounted? John.

Hi Jeff! The panel looks great with the MGL EFIS up and running. I guess all your engine instrumentation (including tacho) will be on the EMS functions of the EFIS. I see you utilized the fibreglass centre pedestal as part of your instrument panel mounting. John.

That is fair comment Lyle, and food for thought. John.

Aaron, I will have close on six hours endurance (plus 45 minutes reserve) with the 100 litre nose tank and the small Jab engine. That's allowing 20L for the first hour and 14L for the next five hours, leaving 10L reserve. I never had much luck using those "human element range extender" thingys so the bladder consideration is still valid! John.

Sounds good Gareth! I'll be putting in a 2200 Jab ... bit cheaper to buy, maintain and operate. I can see that the extra power could come in handy though. John.

I have purchased an MGL "Xtreme" mini EFIS for my Sierra 100 project. I am considering buying a second unit as a backup and also so I can have one showing flight info and the other showing engine info. I also bought the MGL V10 digital VHF radio. I am installing electric flaps. and electric trim. Both of these will use Firgelli motors which are quite cheap but very high quality. I wont be fitting wing tanks as my bladder capacity doesn't quite match my fuel capacity! John.

Hi Gareth! Good luck with your build. What engine are you putting in? John.

You could use that small switch if you were to use it to operate a small relay ... which in turn could switch both circuits. Suitable relays are quite cheap at places like Jaycar. John.

The original switch would have been switching two circuits, (PTT and mic audio). You will have to duplicate that. The single circuit switch may not do the job. If it was a normal panel mount radio, I could guide you through it but I'm not familiar with the Vertex hand held radio so I can't help you there. Maybe Vertex have something in their accessory list you could use. John.

Congratulations Dave! Well done! Enjoy it! John.

I spent 42 years in the avionics LAME game ... 16 in airlines at Perth, Darwin and Adelaide then 26 in general aviation at Jandakot (proprietor of Skycraft Electronics which is now called Airflite Avionics). Was lucky enough to own a Beech Sundowner (VH-UMF) and later, a Beech Debonair (VH-DYT). Sold out and retired eight years ago but have recently commenced building a Morgan Sierra 100. John.

That's one real swish looking bird Dave! congratulations and good luck for your test flight! John.

Hi Kevin! You sure are making progress! You'd have to be happy with the way the skinning has all panned out. I'm not far away from needing to skin the bottom and sides of my fuselage. John.

Is this PTT switch the type that has two plugs (oh well, a plug and a socket) If so, refer to fig 9 of the attached link. It tells you which wires have to be joined to allow the "mic audio" to go through to the radio when only the PTT is being switched. http://flightcom.net/pdf/403mcManual.pdf John.

Just a little tip with those clips (grasshopper nuts) ... spread the legs (no, I'm not being crude) before fitting the clips to the holes. That way, the correct sized screw should engage the nuts ok and it helps prevent the clips from pushing out the back. Instrument screws are normally 6/32's.

Where a defect exists, you have a right ... indeed an obligation, to make an entry in the aircraft's maintenance release. Describe the fault accurately and in detail. This will ensure the matter gets attended to in the appropriate way. Just make sure it's not your headset causing the problem by flying with the aircraft's own headset. Disinfect it first if you have to but it's essential you carry out this test. It is not unusual for a particular headset/radio/installation combination to result in RF feedback. John.

Tomo's Grandma