SparroHawk Build and Testing III

[r.coplen]

Back again. Here is my four different practices at making the insturment panel. I used .090 aluminum. The final panel was completed with the help of Heather Poe. She has a small CNC machine and was able tocut out the panel dead on. She also assisted greatly by sodering the connectors for the radio and the transponder. She has done that kind of work professionally in the past and did a job that takes a lot better eyes and steadier hands than I could do. Thank you Heather. Sorry I didn't get your picture. Will get your pix soon on the forum.

 

[r.coplen]

Insturment Panel Going Together

Insturment Panel Going Together

Adding insturments into panel.

 

[r.coplen]

Panel Back View

Panel Back View

Here is how the back of the panel is shaping up.

 

[KenSandyEggo]

How come they can make handhelds the size of a pack of cigarettes and our panel radios have to protrude out the back around a foot?

Nice looking simple panel. I'd take a picture of the back of my panel, but I'd never have the nerve to post it.

 

[Aussie_Paul]

That radio and transponder looks like good old Oz stuff?

Aussie Paul.

 

[r.coplen]

Paul,

The SKYDAT is from Oz' but the radio and transponder are Beckers and from Germany.

Ken,

Have more wiring to do today in the pod and lets see howthat comes out. It will certainly look more complicated.

 

[Aussie_Paul]

Randy, could you give me a contact for the Skydat please.

Aussie Paul.

 

[gyromike]

How come they can make handhelds the size of a pack of cigarettes and our panel radios have to protrude out the back around a foot?

That's a good question Ken.

Why can they also sell a handheld with VOR capabilities/weather/preset scans/etc. for $500, yet not offer a panel mounted version for a similar price?

 

[Hognose]

How come they can make handhelds the size of a pack of cigarettes and our panel radios have to protrude out the back around a foot?.

Ken,

Becker now makes units that have a remote head and the head only protrudes maybe an inch and a half (say 4 cm for you furriners) behind the panel, you can stow the main unit anywhere. Be a nice solution for that low-set area of the RAF panel.

They have both individual small units (like a shallow version of Randy's that Paul mistook for the Microair units) and a combined RT and XPDR . I have Becker's CD catalogue here somewhere.

Disadvantage of the Becker stuff is cost, especially with the Euro-dollar exchange rate as it is presently. The Microair units are (IMHO) as good, and significantly less costly. Disadvantage of the Australian product in the US is intermittent availability. But there are times when a guy looking for ANY small-instrument-hole RT is out of luck because neither Becker or Microair can hook him up from stock.

cheers

-=K=-

 

[Aussie_Paul]

If anyone has trouble with US supply of Microair, let me know. As a Microair agent I may have internal supply at that time.

Aussie Paul.

 

[r.coplen]

Finished Insturment Panel

Finished Insturment Panel

Finally more photos. Just about finished panel.

 

[r.coplen]

Overhead Fuse and Switch Panel

Overhead Fuse and Switch Panel

Fuse and switch panel. The three front fuses are a master switch and the two fuel pumps.

 

[r.coplen]

Wiring

Wiring

Beginning to wire back of fuse panel

 

[r.coplen]

Much More Wiring

Much More Wiring

Dr. G is making sure every wire is right. If you do it right the first time you don't have to do it again. Keith (15 year old) is hanging out and picking up a ton of education about wiring as I am.

 

[r.coplen]

Pod Installed

Pod Installed

Pod is finally installed. Didn't see dusty finger prints but they dusted off just fine. Cyclic control stick is installed too.

 

[KenSandyEggo]

Randy, I'm assuming the handles with the white tops are individual brakes ala Jim Mayfield's on his original RAF? Are they hydraulic and is the foot brake eliminated?

 

[ToddP]

Man it really looks good Randy. I assume you'll have it at Arlington this week?

 

[r.coplen]

Ken,

The foot brakes are eliminated and the hand brakes use cables. (Although there is a foot peg on the bottom of the left hand brake where you can hold down both main brakes with your right foot.) The idea is to use it when you prerotate. You have one hand on the throttle and one hand on the cyclic. You can use your left foot to hold the brakes. When taxiing you use the hand brakes. This assembly is nicely made. The hand levers are machined to a great shape and finish.

Todd,

I am leaving for Arlington as soon as I log off. I look forward to seeing you there. Take time for a flight in Ruby with David Overman. I wish it was the SparrowHawk flying but we are about two weeks from first flight. I am trailering The SparrowHawk today for a static display and David is flying Ruby up to Arlington. Gordon will continue wiring the SparrowHawk at Arlington. It is an EAA flyin and a good place for a wiring demonstration. Gordon is installing a set of Super Trap mufflers this morning on Ruby. We welded cracks in the old can muffler as many times as we could.

 

[Gyrobound]

So Randy, how is the SH coming? Haven't heard any new news about the build in quite a while. Have you flown yet?
Scott

 

[birdy]

Gyrobound said,
You're as young as you feel. Some days you can conquer the world, other days you shouldn't even get up.

I thought it went,
Your only as old as the one your feeling.