Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

[fastj22]

I just mirrored the standard latch to the left side.

[142YX]

Haven't posted an update in a while, so i thought i would upload a few photos. Waiex #142 is coming along quite nicely!




just after hanging the engine for the first time


finally got around to attaching the tail structure


left wing control surfaces on!


we had an "open house" at work last week.. and personal projects were encouraged to be put on display. Here you can see my humble little homebuilt near some other machines that i work near!

[MichaelFarley56]

Man that's looking great! You've been making some good progress...I hope you can keep it up and have the plane flying soon! Keep sharing pics!

[142YX]

Proud to report that Waiex #142 for the first time looks like an airplane.. the wings went on last week!

[MichaelFarley56]

Man that's looking great! I'm very jealous of your workshop. You've been making great progress...keep it up!

[RodgerC]

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A couple of recent photos of Waiex #155...Must admit, in the past couple of weeks trying to nut out the electrics and run wires with the fuel tank and glareshield solidly riveted in place is sapping my enthusiasm.

[N111YX]

Thanks for all of the update pics. It's always nice to see the next generation about to take flight!

Rodger, that panel looks a bit familiar...:)

[rizzz]

Indeed, where have I seen that before. :-)

Looking good guys, keep it up!

[RodgerC]

Kip, imitation is the highest form of flattery. ;)

[MichaelFarley56]

Hello Everyone,

Ever since I returned from Oshkosh, I've had a list of upgrades I've wanted to accomplish on my Waiex. First off, I didn't get a picture of them but the first thing I did was add the flap fairings as called for in the plans. At normal cruise my plane flew pretty straight but at faster speeds, the right flap would flex up a little, causing a heavy wing. I wanted to fix this and thankfully the fairings did just that. One note of caution...when you test fit these, I recommend you try to mount them with double sided tape first to make sure you put them in the right spot. I was really lucky to get mine in the right spot but it was pure dumb luck.
Secondly, I fabricated a new tailwheel pushrod out of steel tubing. It needs a little more adjusting but being able to adjust it is why I made it:
Next, I had talked to Matt of MGL fame at Oshkosh and was able to secure the purchase of an SP-4 AHRS unit for my Stratomaster Ultra XL. Unfortunately the newer units they have we're never tested with my Ultra XL, so I was glad to get this upgrade while I still could. If anyone has the monochrome Ultra XL and wants a horizon, call Matt and get the SP-4 now before they're gone. I paid $650 for mine:
Finally, the one and only thing I really was having trouble living with was the oil pressure reading on my Ultra. I traced it to a faulty VDO sender unit, and then quickly replaced the bad one with 3 other bad ones. I finally found a good one but decided to install a mechanical gauge as a reliable backup. I am glad that my engine seems to have great cruise oil pressure, and it's nice to be able to see that:

Next up is reinforce my wheel pants, then I guess it's time to bite the bullet and start polishing the bottom of the plane :)

Fly Safe!!