Hi Everyone,
I don’t contribute much any more to the site, but will add my 2 cents today as we are going through another cycle of cyber madness.
I have been in the Sonex group for more than 19 years (see photo below for my first parts) and have seen many a post. So here are my Stupid and Favorite things.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/planeolbob/2048635625Also, before I list the good and bad I would like to state that the joy of flying my airplane is the reason I and many of you got here in the first place. Remember this always.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/39943786@ ... ed-public/Stupid:
1. I became “Build Happy”. What I mean by this is I was having so much fun building the aircraft I kept adding stuff I didn’t need to meet the mission that this aircraft was designed for. This made for a heavy empty weight.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... 998890631/2. I misaligned the skin on my left wing so that I needed to replace the top skin. The wing was warped 5/8”. Believe me I did not sleep that night. Here is what I did after talking to Sonex.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/planeolbo ... 06618665953. Adding a wing leveler. I spent all that money and time and found out that I never used the equipment. Luckily, I was able to sell it for gas money.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/planeolbo ... 34555932754. Going with circuit breaker switches. My chapter advisor was a big fan of these and talked me into it. This caused me to make a sub panel and dropped down my air vents. Along with added weight, space and expense, this caused less leg room for taller pilots. They do work great.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22138162@ ... 35884709275. Not installing the pressure plugs in my AeroVee. This caused zero oil pressure for the first 3 minutes of run time and made me overhaul the engine at 125 hours.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ ... 63344520146. Heating System. Not only was this a lot of work but it weighed a lot. It did work but I found wearing cheap ski bibs a whole lot better. I took it out.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ ... 63344520147. Flush rivets on the cowl. This is a lot of work and I still am not happy with the results.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ ... 3598665670Favorite:
1. Bob’s Shading System or as I call it “The BS System”.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 6337388654 https://www.flickr.com/photos/39943786@ ... ed-public/2. Figuring out ways to solve build problems. Here is a method to remove the paint from the inside of the gear socket. I have many more on my sites if you want to look.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/20695499@N07/21432753883. Fuel Shut Off System. This is very import control in that you can shut off the fuel while you are strapped in.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22138162@ ... 62069322014. Paint Scheme. Since I knew this would be my only airplane I had to go with a WWII scheme.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/ The polishing was time consuming but was well worth it. Remember boys and girls, these are Experimental Aircraft. There is no right or wrong way to do cosmetic items.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22345371@ ... 35915572715. Cowling doors. I am happy with my fuel and oil filling features. They work great.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ ... 35986656706. Air – Oil interceptor. This home made system works great.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 62122770817. Panic Bar. This little item is very nice for passengers.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 59802139648. Canopy hold open fixtures. A lot of us have these. Mine can be locked.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 62122935459. Check List holder. I have all my check lists in a flip style holder.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... 998890631/10. Side Panel upholstery additions. These will keep items from falling under the seat.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 598021396411. Head Set Hanger. This is just a “J” hook made from ¼” tube that holds both head sets above the baggage compartment.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... ed-public/12. Tow Bar. This zero cost tool works great.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... ed-public/13. Larger Tail wheel. I went with a 5” unit. Much better on Turf.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... 998890631/14. Larger 5x5 tires. Same reason, turf.
15. “Gun Sight” Fuel Vent. I have had two versions. Both worked great.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... 998890631/16. Meeting Sonex builders. All of you have been a great help to me as I built and have flown my aircraft. I have a debt to the group I try to repay.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/39943786@ ... ed-public/17. And speaking of meeting people, one cannot forget the annual fun at Oshkosh.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... 4353104624 18. I also can’t forget Carlos and his wonderful RC model down at Sun n Fun.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/19. All the good times at “Jeff’s on Rugby”.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/20. Having my airplane show up on a satellite photo.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/21. Tail Wheel Modification.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ ... 423961585522. Video Camera Mount.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ ... 423961585523. Charging System.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ ... 742424260124. Ordnance.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64768042@ ... 9694471038