Search found 485 matches

by Bill McCarthy
Fri Dec 08, 2023 5:34 pm
Forum: Hangar Chat
Topic: What should our expectations be for the delivery of LAA Mag?
Replies: 5
Views: 6176

Re: What should our expectations be for the delivery of LAA Mag?

I no longer look for a magazine - after nearly 50 years as a member I’ve thrown in the towel.
by Bill McCarthy
Sat Sep 02, 2023 7:38 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Aircraft canopy manufacturers
Replies: 5
Views: 31875

Re: Aircraft canopy manufacturers

The PFA article on blowing a canopy was for a Corby Starlet ( I think ) by the builder, and after a couple of attempts he made a perfectly good one.
by Bill McCarthy
Mon Apr 17, 2023 4:08 pm
Forum: Hangar Chat
Topic: LAA “GRASS ROOTS FLY IN” RETURNS TO POPHAM 18-20 AUGUST
Replies: 14
Views: 17767

Re: LAA “GRASS ROOTS FLY IN” RETURNS TO POPHAM 18-20 AUGUST

I organised a LAA “fly-in” ( by myself ) at Wick in May 2007, thinking that about a half dozen aircraft would turn up, it being so remote. As it turned out, 65 aircraft came from as far afield as Devon, and Eire - many dodging round severe weather to get here. But, at the last moment the airport dro...
by Bill McCarthy
Wed Apr 12, 2023 3:10 pm
Forum: Hangar Chat
Topic: LAA “GRASS ROOTS FLY IN” RETURNS TO POPHAM 18-20 AUGUST
Replies: 14
Views: 17767

Re: LAA “GRASS ROOTS FLY IN” RETURNS TO POPHAM 18-20 AUGUST

My first rally as a member was in ‘76 in Sywell I seem to remember. And the final one in Sywell will have been my last as a member. I’m out of it this year. :evil:
by Bill McCarthy
Wed Aug 24, 2022 7:57 pm
Forum: Hangar Chat
Topic: FINAL COUNTDOWN TO POPHAM
Replies: 9
Views: 4889

Re: FINAL COUNTDOWN TO POPHAM

The rally is getting pushed further and further south making it rather tough for attendees from Orkney and the far north getting there. There are LAA members, believe it or not, in Scotland so how’s about having one at somewhere like Eshott - a “halfway house”.
by Bill McCarthy
Sun Jul 31, 2022 9:57 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: VW Cylinder Head Machining
Replies: 11
Views: 10966

Re: VW Cylinder Head Machining

I still think that it would be useful to have a LAA course on the VW ( as has been done for the Rotax) to catch up with mechanical aspects and setting up of the electronic ignition system and in the interests of affordable aviation !
by Bill McCarthy
Mon May 02, 2022 1:04 pm
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Imperial vs Metric plywood
Replies: 3
Views: 2383

Re: Imperial vs Metric plywood

There was a suggestion in the PFA mag many years ago, when plans built aircraft (wood and plywood) was the norm, which stated that manufacturers of bespoke wooden ladders had supplies of spruce that matched aircraft quality material due its very straight grain and level of “dryness”.
by Bill McCarthy
Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:38 am
Forum: Aircraft Design - General
Topic: Use of Stainless Steel AN bolts in place of CAD plated AN bolts
Replies: 9
Views: 39371

Re: Use of Stainless Steel AN bolts in place of CAD plated AN bolts

Stainless steel is subject to stress corrosion cracking. Stress arising in its duty and in the manufacturing process.
by Bill McCarthy
Mon Nov 18, 2019 10:23 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Nose wheel re chroming
Replies: 10
Views: 5484

Re: Nose wheel re chroming

It’s important to let us know how you got on ! :D
by Bill McCarthy
Sat Nov 09, 2019 9:33 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Nose wheel re chroming
Replies: 10
Views: 5484

Re: Nose wheel re chroming

Try a company in your area that does refurbishment of hydraulic rams. Ask an agricultural machinery agent where you can find one.
by Bill McCarthy
Wed Sep 18, 2019 9:41 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Jodel 1050
Replies: 7
Views: 4690

Re: Jodel 1050

When bleeding brakes, you are trying to force air “downhill” - I use a piece of clear poly tubing on the end of one of those trigger operated oil cans (with only brake fluid in it), pump the oil can until only brake fluid issues at the end, connect it to the bleed nipple, open it and pump fluid in, ...
by Bill McCarthy
Thu Sep 05, 2019 4:38 pm
Forum: Hangar Chat
Topic: After the Rally
Replies: 21
Views: 13546

Re: After the Rally

Believe you me, for us it was and always will be a great adventure getting to the rally. No complications of crowded skies and complicated airspace in the far north. An early start at 07.30 out of Wick, routing via Dundee and Fishburn we were well prepared for arrival at Sywell at 17.06 but about tw...
by Bill McCarthy
Thu Sep 05, 2019 11:07 am
Forum: Hangar Chat
Topic: After the Rally
Replies: 21
Views: 13546

Re: After the Rally

If there was a lot of shouting, best grin and bear it, otherwise if we complaineth too much they may withdraw the volunteering which would scupper the rally.
by Bill McCarthy
Sun Aug 11, 2019 5:58 pm
Forum: Hangar Chat
Topic: Clutton FRED running costs?
Replies: 31
Views: 16789

Re: Clutton FRED running costs?

I can guarantee that you won’t see a better “Fred” than G-ORAS. Alistair flew his all the way from north of Inverness to Sywell, in his kilt ! He won best plans build home built trophy with it - thoroughly deserved.
by Bill McCarthy
Wed Aug 07, 2019 12:39 pm
Forum: SSDR
Topic: Letov Sluka.
Replies: 3
Views: 7420

Re: Letov Sluka.

I have the sleeve machined (by the Queen’s men) all ready to fit - it’s just a nuisance taking the engine mountings and other fittings away. I will get round to it ! Basically, I would like to make an attempt at making a near copy of the whole microlight. I have enough aircraft quality tubing (round...