Altitude and Vario’s

I received some chips last week, they are to be used in a VarioGPS unit for Jeti. I’ve build around a dozen of these things now, and so far I have had no real issues. So what happened? As always with stuff from ‘the east’ you never know what you get. But I am jumping … Read more

Display fun

I wanted to use this nifty little display for my RPM display of the spindle on the CNC-Router. It somehow switched to a 128*32 mode. Digging in the code, I found a problem (for me, in this sketch) Activating the 128*64 define in Adafruit_SSD1306.h library, fixed it. Yes, of course, it (they) will go into … Read more

Back to school.

For the first time in months it’s raining today! Just checked my rain tanks, they are filling slooow, the plumbing is ok, no leaks. (Trust me to install rainwater capture tanks, and then it does not rain for months!) Challenge of the day: I really, really want to make these small metal parts myself. Problem … Read more

tip-work

After glueing the trailing edge wood (not shaped to final yet!) it was time to do a bit of tube-bending. It’s 4 mm tube, and for the life of me, I don’t know why it is so soft. Almost feels like copper tubing. Never mind, just try to match the shape. Trying to hold the … Read more

when metal meets wood..

Making sure wing mates with the fuselage.. And a single 3.18mm pin does secure it to the fuse. Not much to say, just wanted to see how it looks. After this pic was taken, I glued in a bunch of false nose ribs.

there’s no way back..

The ribs trimmed to size (sort of) Even at this stage the wing is very stiff. Normally in a balsa/built up wing, it is pretty easy to twist the structure. Due to the way the ribs are built, there is an decent amount of torsional stiffness, even at this stage. Next I have to make … Read more

it’s getting serious now..

A good day was had, is the saying. Over the last week or so I have been bending the cap-strips. It is a time consuming job. First you soak them for a few days, then clamp them in a jig, then let dry for at least 24 hours. Repeat. Since there are always minor variations … Read more

more rib testing

If in doubt do it the Paolo way ๐Ÿ˜‰ . Success guaranteed! The full size cap-strips for the ribs are 1/4 x 1/4 pine. Scaled down that translates to 2.12 mm square. That is just too small for my fingers. The plywood I have (that lite-ply) is 2 mm. I have nice 2 mm mill … Read more

making ribs

With the wing spars ready, it’s time to start thinking about the ribs. On these wings, nothing is straightforward, every rib looks different. (which gives it those nice wings ๐Ÿ˜‰ Luckily the designer was smart enough to keep all the ribs up to the aft spar the same, so the only difference is the rear … Read more

more small steps..

At some stage, after laminating the wing spars, I needed to bevel them at 4 degrees for the forward, and 6 degrees for the aft spars. Could have done it by hand, but this was quicker. (After spending 2 hours thinking about it, and trying to mount the planer. ) Only do this under adult … Read more