Steve, I am not a pilot but have enjoyed your video diary of the beautiful airplane build. You appear to have done a first rate job and your perfection is evident. Good luck, stay warm and most important be safe! It's cold over here too on the west side of the mountains!
Thank you so much! I feel I’m far from a perfectionist, but more of a safe and good enough-ist! I like to fly more than build and it shows ;) Alright…on to the better weather am I right?! Thanks for watching
I've never checked the rudder cable tension of my S-7S, but I do know it's earlier much stiffer return springs, caused the cable to exhibit frayed strands at two different locations, at less than 1000 hours! I replaced them with much softer springs and in triple the time the first failed, they are still good. Just tensioned enough to not flop around is my gauge. The plane is looking great! I had a very experienced exp plane builder as well as being a aviation Vo-Tech instructor tell me once, DO NOT do a perfect job, purposely miss a cotter pin or some other easily remedied thing. In my area at the time, the guy had to find SOMETHING or else it he didn't feel like he was doing his job. No matter how early he started, when lunchtime came around, he wasn't finished, as soon as you bought him lunch (another tip I got) and back inspecting, he was done and out the door in minutes! He did 5 planes for me, same deal every time.
Steve, I talked to Randy specifically on your "Spins not allowed" sticker, this is for LSA only, spins are ALLOWED for Experimental. In fact, aerobatics are approved within weight limits. If you need more detail, contact Rans.
Lookin' good! Just use 3M double sided tape to hold the wing cuff and clear latex caulk around the edges so you can remove it later. I would set the prop at 16.5 degrees (2300ish RPMs on takeoff), which is a good compromise between climb and cruise. Know that your Titan will run HOT, but should break in within a few hours. Reach out if you have questions on the test flights. I'd like to fly up at some point when the weather gets better to see it in person!
You lucked out. We were -42c (-44f) for the past week. Even for us frostbacks, that's a bit on the chilly side. Good luck with the inspection. I'm getting all tingly...and this time, not from frostbite.
So the opening skit was for you! I said, “Tundra Joe” but now I’m not sure where I got that from. Didn’t you go by that once upon a time? Anyway, the spirit was to give you a shout out. And to kind make penance for complaining about our measly “chilly” snap. You guys sure are hearty up there…
@@CLEAREDDIRECT Yeah. Guilty. I'm still Tundra somewhere. It gets hard to keep track. We were getting spoiled with a very mild winter then somebody went and cheesed off ma nature. You really are rocking that bogey. Exciting times.
Good luck on the inspection. That loctite is the same one I use when sealing fuel lines for the F100 and F110 test cells. It really works great but it’s messy and never really fully dries.
If you decide to relabel after inspection, you should be able to get clear tape with white / black lettering depending on what you want for your label maker. Cleans up things a lot!
Great advice! I sure do (plan to re-label to what is actually necessary and looks cleaner). I suppose I could have the black powder coated panel inserts re-painted, but I like your idea better
Man I’m so excited to see this thing nearly flying! Been watching since the beginning and can’t wait! Make sure to bring her over the cascades to independence EAA 292 STOL competition this summer
I was going to comment something about this being the first above 0 day here with a "psh!", but heck... I haven't been flying because it's too damn cold 🙄
Steve, I am not a pilot but have enjoyed your video diary of the beautiful airplane build. You appear to have done a first rate job and your perfection is evident. Good luck, stay warm and most important be safe! It's cold over here too on the west side of the mountains!
Thank you so much! I feel I’m far from a perfectionist, but more of a safe and good enough-ist! I like to fly more than build and it shows ;)
Alright…on to the better weather am I right?! Thanks for watching
It has been awesome to follow along with your build. Good luck with the inspection!
Looking great, good luck. Get in the air.
I've never checked the rudder cable tension of my S-7S, but I do know it's earlier much stiffer return springs, caused the cable to exhibit frayed strands at two different locations, at less than 1000 hours! I replaced them with much softer springs and in triple the time the first failed, they are still good. Just tensioned enough to not flop around is my gauge. The plane is looking great! I had a very experienced exp plane builder as well as being a aviation Vo-Tech instructor tell me once, DO NOT do a perfect job, purposely miss a cotter pin or some other easily remedied thing. In my area at the time, the guy had to find SOMETHING or else it he didn't feel like he was doing his job. No matter how early he started, when lunchtime came around, he wasn't finished, as soon as you bought him lunch (another tip I got) and back inspecting, he was done and out the door in minutes! He did 5 planes for me, same deal every time.
Hahaha!! That’s an amazing amount of experience and wonderful advice (I hope). Thanks so much for the great comment!
Steve, I talked to Randy specifically on your "Spins not allowed" sticker, this is for LSA only, spins are ALLOWED for Experimental. In fact, aerobatics are approved within weight limits. If you need more detail, contact Rans.
Oh! Awesome information! Thanks so much! I’ll rip off that cheesy sticker right now…
Good info! I'll pull mine too.
Great post good luck can’t wait for that first flight
Great job.
Lookin' good! Just use 3M double sided tape to hold the wing cuff and clear latex caulk around the edges so you can remove it later. I would set the prop at 16.5 degrees (2300ish RPMs on takeoff), which is a good compromise between climb and cruise. Know that your Titan will run HOT, but should break in within a few hours. Reach out if you have questions on the test flights. I'd like to fly up at some point when the weather gets better to see it in person!
Really coming along! Glad you got that fuel line moved 😊
Me too! I like safe things
You lucked out. We were -42c (-44f) for the past week. Even for us frostbacks, that's a bit on the chilly side. Good luck with the inspection. I'm getting all tingly...and this time, not from frostbite.
So the opening skit was for you! I said, “Tundra Joe” but now I’m not sure where I got that from. Didn’t you go by that once upon a time? Anyway, the spirit was to give you a shout out. And to kind make penance for complaining about our measly “chilly” snap. You guys sure are hearty up there…
@@CLEAREDDIRECT Yeah. Guilty. I'm still Tundra somewhere. It gets hard to keep track. We were getting spoiled with a very mild winter then somebody went and cheesed off ma nature. You really are rocking that bogey. Exciting times.
Good luck on the inspection. That loctite is the same one I use when sealing fuel lines for the F100 and F110 test cells. It really works great but it’s messy and never really fully dries.
If you decide to relabel after inspection, you should be able to get clear tape with white / black lettering depending on what you want for your label maker. Cleans up things a lot!
Great advice! I sure do (plan to re-label to what is actually necessary and looks cleaner). I suppose I could have the black powder coated panel inserts re-painted, but I like your idea better
Man I’m so excited to see this thing nearly flying! Been watching since the beginning and can’t wait! Make sure to bring her over the cascades to independence EAA 292 STOL competition this summer
One fine flying machine my friend!
This has been a really cool build to watch.
hope everything goes smooth for you at inspection.
What was the issue with the LightSpeed ignition wiring and the RPM, were you wired to the analog sensor outputs?
That’s right! I published a separate video talking about that
You should not have thread sealant on your AN fittings where the flared tubing attaches. The threads and the cone/flare should be dry.
Correct! Thanks for the comment
I was going to comment something about this being the first above 0 day here with a "psh!", but heck... I haven't been flying because it's too damn cold 🙄
It’s been nasty! Keep that Canada door closed!!!
How do you like that helmet?
Sure do! I needed to trim the inner “KOR” honeycomb so the earcups fit better. Love the chin strap.
@@CLEAREDDIRECT awesome, been looking at them, but reviews are hard to find. Seems like it would be quieter than just a headset.
How did it go?!?!
He canceled. Two week delay.
@@CLEAREDDIRECT dang it. Well, no excuses not to be perfect with this extra time. 😉