B-Model conversion

[Kitfox93eg]

John, any chance you have any pics of the wing rigging as this is the next step in my B conversion

Ed Grasso

[n307tw]

Wings have been rigged.
Thanks to Paul Vetter for coming down from Gillette WY to assist and keep me from making stupid mistakes.
The laser level failed, so went Roman with a water level. Worked great.
I will say, rigging the wings while the fuse is on saw horses and the firewall removed is much easier.
Now to disassemble everything, and start riveting. Engine mount is on order.

Outstanding!

[fastj22]

For those of you considering a swing back canopy on your B-model, here's a video on the issues I faced. It can and will be done.

https://youtu.be/YdpGtQxW_-g

[racaldwell]

John,

Thanks for posting the video of the swingback canopy. I'm curious why you didn't use the slide lock plates from the A version.

I am in the middle of installing the swingback on my Xenos A project. Just finishing up a mechanism I came up with for a keyed camloc on the exterior for locking it closed from the outside.

Rick Caldwell
Xonos 0057

[fastj22]

John,

Thanks for posting the video of the swingback canopy. I'm curious why you didn't use the slide lock plates from the A version.

I am in the middle of installing the swingback on my Xenos A project. Just finishing up a mechanism I came up with for a keyed camloc on the exterior for locking it closed from the outside.

Rick Caldwell
Xonos 0057

The B-model uses a boxed channel for the longeron instead of the angle of the A-model. and the sliding mechs are machined to go over the side of the box and into a set of pins that stick out the side. Those pins were catching on my swing arms. The B model also uses 1 inch angle for the bottom of the canopy frame so when you can't really go through the center of the box.

[fastj22]

Canopy, windshield, glare shield and fuel tank installed!!!
I left some DNA getting the tank straps set. Boy was that fun! NOT!
Here's a video....
https://youtu.be/Hl7QHtRtKzY

[Sonex1517]

Looking great!

[fastj22]

Looking great!

I've been vinyl wrapping the stuff as I complete it. it really helps motivation, to see the final product. It might not be smart as I already will have to go back and touch up stuff, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[fastj22]

Been getting a little sidetracked and distracted lately. I did put in my autopilot control rods this morning.
I've been towing for the glider club every Friday and flying at least one of the other weekend days in a club plane.

Soaring season is coming to an end but we are getting some gold metal days lately. Here's a clip from today's trip into Tiger Country. We rarely dropped below 16,000ft and did 600km in 5.5 hours. This was a Duo Discus with a national champion coaching me from the back seat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e987La_3w8

[NWade]

Soaring season is coming to an end but we are getting some gold metal days lately. Here's a clip from today's trip into Tiger Country. We rarely dropped below 16,000ft and did 600km in 5.5 hours. This was a Duo Discus with a national champion coaching me from the back seat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e987La_3w8

Nice flight! Who was it in the back seat? I’m a competition Soaring pilot and as you know, it’s a small community.

I’m distracted right now myself between finishing my Sonex and buying a DuoDiscus so that I can do more XC mentorship - it’s something the sport badly needs more of!

Can’t wait to see both the B model and some more long glider flights. :-)

—Noel
Sonex #1339
ASG-29