Light Aircraft Association

Very much enjoyed the Rally again this year - congrats and thanks to all involved. However, I was disappointed, this year particularly, at the desultory way in which the prize giving proceeded. Having the prize giving when many were still queuing for food and when many of the winners were not in att...

I use a 20ml syringe. Push the plunger full in then connect it to the static system. Withdraw very gently and watch the altitude rise. It's also interesting to see the impact on airspeed. If it looks like the airspeed is going to hit the stops disconnect the ASI from the static system before further...

The RV9A has Allen bolts screwed into the top of the wheel mount that restrict movement to about 50 degrees either side of centre. It can't rotate beyond that. The mechanism is fairly robust and would be quite hard to damage. Having said that the aircraft is a pig to reverse without a towbar. If you...

Thanks all Looks like Aerodux is the way to go. Mike, if you really think epoxy is the future google "epoxy allergy". I suspect it won't be long before it's on the EU hit list. It seems that using epoxy the issue will not be "if" you become allergic but "when" and the range of symptoms is pretty fri...

My immune system has decided that I can no longer use epoxy to build. I need to glue 4 off 8' x 4' sheets of 3/32" mahogony ply onto the wing structures of the Wittman Tailwind I'm building (www.tailwindbuild.blogspot.com). The skins need to be stuck to the ribs, spars, and leading and trailing edge...

Bill If you build an airframe you are free to do as you wish but the common wisdom of people who have built airframes is different. I quote from Jim Clement in the US who has built 10 Tailwinds re linseed: "I totally agree that linseed inside tube treatment is not a good idea. If you ever have to we...

The nuc industry have the technology to do it properly (probably) - aircraft builders don't. The gas welders view is that you play a flame over the metal until it is dull red and then let it cool. This is inexact and capable of doing more harm than good. The important factors when TIG welding are to...

Only just seen the thread so my comments are a bit late. Having built an RV9A, I wanted a more challenging project so decided to build a Wittman Tailwind. I had never welded before. I took a two week welding course with TWI and submitted my three test pieces at the end of the two weeks. The test pie...

Remember if you are using Ranthane you need forced air breathing - this stuff is really dangerous, a single exposure to isocynate has been shown to cause irreversible asthma. I've decided to stay away from the older systems because of this and am going to use Stewart Systems which is water based all...

I'm asking this on behalf of a French Wittman Tailwind builder who has access to Okume ply in 2.5mm, 3mm and 3.2mm thicknesses. The plans call for 3/32" (2.4mm) mahogony. Can anyone let me have any comparative data on the two types of ply. The wings in the Tailwind are fully sheeted and the 3/32 mah...

Sorry profile now updated with my name

Wanted prop for a Lycoming O-235-C2C with a SAE #1 hub (same as L2C, N2C, L2A. Aircraft is a Wittman Tailwind with estimated cruise of 150mph @75% so something like a 68" diameter and 63" pitch seems about right. It is not possible to re-pitch 152 etc. props this high.