A Few of My Favorite Things

[mike.smith]

Along with the "stupidest" things I've done, here were a few of my favorite things.

Make your own drilled bolt shank:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 730&row=23

Remote battery charging port:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 107&row=77
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 069&row=72
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 070&row=71

Self Sealing Canopy Seal:
- Got this one from Dudley Foster.
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 003&row=79
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 004&row=78

Lightweight Portable Wheel Chocks:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 884&row=86

Canopy Locking Pin:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 05&row=153
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 65&row=152

Fuel Shut Off:
- I've never seen one that's better, IMHO :-)
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 79&row=418

Labeling every single wire in the plane, at both ends:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 33&row=571

Fuel Overflow Pan & Drain:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 84&row=751
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 83&row=750
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 75&row=748
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 75&row=736
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 60&row=734
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 54&row=733
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 63&row=728
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 78&row=727
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 06&row=726

[Kai]

Mike,

Hm- interesting!

You haven't by any chance come up with a working, durable seal for the rear canopy edge against the turtledeck? So far all ideas I have tried, tend to disintegrate or rub off after a while. Right now I am working on an idea that incorporates say ø1/2" tube bent to follow the turtledeck edge, with some kind of rubber seal attached to it.

Thanks
Kai
Sonex 0525

[mike.smith]

Mike,

You haven't by any chance come up with a working, durable seal for the rear canopy edge against the turtledeck? So far all ideas I have tried, tend to disintegrate or rub off after a while. Right now I am working on an idea that incorporates say ø1/2" tube bent to follow the turtledeck edge, with some kind of rubber seal attached to it.

Hi,
No, but I've never tried. In 4 years the only time I wished I'd had something there was when I got caught in some rain during landing coming back from OSH. But then again, there was water coming in from way more places around the windscreen and bottom edge of the canopy, so even then I'd have gotten wet. I fly in the New England winters and air/cold has never been an issue at the turtle deck. The air mostly slides by without ever coming through the gap. So for the VFR flying I do, having a rear seal was never necessary.

[nwawingman]

I love my new fuel cap from Peter Anson and works great. I was sure tired of buying a replacement every year. Great design. Thanks Peter!

http://www.ansoneng.com/sample-page/pro ... tem-parts/

Also my flip down canopy brace that keeps the wind from doing a number on it.

This topic would make a great Builder discussion at the Midwest Sonex Fly-In! Hope to see you there!

2018 Mid West Sonex Fly-in poster link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Za93ch ... sp=sharing

[mike.smith]

Also my flip down canopy brace that keeps the wind from doing a number on it.

2018 Mid West Sonex Fly-in poster link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Za93ch ... sp=sharing

Do you have photos of the canopy brace? And the link for the fly-in did not work.

[fastj22]

I absolutely love my flip back canopy. Best mod I ever did.

[sonex1374]

Mike,

Relooking at your build log (great job, again!) I’m curious about your latest heat muff. Did that unit work out? Can you give us an update and maybe some tips for anyone considering a heat muff?

Jeff

[nwawingman]

Also my flip down canopy brace that keeps the wind from doing a number on it.

2018 Mid West Sonex Fly-in poster link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Za93ch ... sp=sharing

Do you have photos of the canopy brace? And the link for the fly-in did not work.

I need to take a photo of the brace. I got the idea from Bob Mika I believe.

I think I got the poster link fixed. Sorry about that.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Za93ch ... sp=sharing

[SonexN76ET]

My favorite things:

Infinity military stick grip

Insulation on lower firewall and forward portion of cockpit floor

Comfor foam seat cushion bottom

Weather stripping of windscreen and canopy (not reposting, just do a search on this site for my earlier write up)

K&N 25-0330 Red Air Filter Foam Wrap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00062YI0K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_w232AbHM2EGBS
Took the element out of the Sonex supplied air filter and just use this foam filter wrap around the Sonex filter’s metal screen and metal mesh.

Earl’s Plumbing 90 degree 6AN 1/8 NPT fitting on AeroInjector that keeps fuel line closer to AeroInjector and farther away from exhaust pipe.

Felpro valve cover and oil sump gaskets

White silicon Aerovee pushrod tube seals

Sonex oil sump filter from turbo

Sonex oil separator tank

Seat belt racing pads

ILevil AW

MGL Engine Management System from Sonex

Vernier mixture control for precise mixture adjustments

Hart well latch on fuel access door

Peter Anson’s fuel cap

Jake

[mike.smith]

Mike,
Relooking at your build log (great job, again!) I’m curious about your latest heat muff. Did that unit work out? Can you give us an update and maybe some tips for anyone considering a heat muff?

Nope. It doesn't work one bit. Not enough heat bottled up in the muff. I think one muff may not be enough, to start with, but perhaps making a muff closer the the exhaust flanges would improve the amount of heat. I've tried two designs, and have tested lots of different input of cowl air, from a 1/4" inlet hole, to the full 2" diameter of the supply scat tube. I've heard 1 or 2 people have gotten a workable system, but I have yet to see any documentation to see how they did it.