Sep 21, 2020     LMA Super Cub (LMA-5X) plans and DVD Category: Plans

  Feb 28, 2020     Left Side Window - (15 hours)       Category: Interior Finish

The left side window was originally a sliding glass design. We decided against it because it was noisy and not very secure. Also, the window top and bottom frames are not parallel(per the plans) therefore you couldn''t slide the window all the way back without binding.

So, we made a left side hinged window, just like the right side. The design is lighter, simpler, and it can open fully to the underside of the wing using a latch that is described in another section.

  Feb 28, 2020     Window Latches - (40 hours)       Category: Interior Finish

The plans did not include any information about latches for the windows or doors. So, left to our creativity, we designed our own latches for the left and right windows using Solidworks. Templates were printed for all the 1/8" aluminum plate parts.

The latch handles were located such that the windows could be opened from the front and rear seats. Also, they are spring loaded in the closed position to latch to the window jam and a hook on the underside of the wing. The right side latch was designed with a lock too. The drawings are posted in the engineering section.

  Feb 28, 2020     Back Cover - (10 hours)       Category: Aft Closeout

This trick little piece of sheet metal worked out perfectly. Creating a poster board template was the key to making this fit so nicely. It''s design intent is to close out the back part of the aft closeout sheet metal sides in between the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. It will give it a nice finish and serve to keep bugs from trying to find a home. Finished pictures are coming soon. I forgot to snag a pic when it was installed.

  Feb 28, 2020     Sheet Metal Covers - (30 hours)       Category: Aft Closeout

  Feb 28, 2020     Tab Mounting - (20 hours)       Category: Aft Closeout

  Feb 28, 2020     Mounting Tabs - (20 hours)       Category: Aft Closeout

  Feb 28, 2020     Mounting Tab Forming Tool - (10 hours)       Category: Aft Closeout

  Feb 28, 2020     Elevator Trim - (20 hours)       Category: Empennage

It was decided to go with a mechanical trim device instead of an electric system. The deciding factors were robustness, cost, and mostly due to the lack of an electrical system. The trim tab itself was drawn in the plans, however the mechanism was left out in the plans and manual. This unfortunate occurrence is a reoccurring theme in the builder''s manual and plans.

Anyways, after some research we decided to go with a Teleflex push-pull cable to operate the trim tab. It may be overkill but it''s simple and easy to install!

We had to make modifications to the horizontal stab by cutting slots for the cable to hide nicely in the surface. The cut slots were reinforced with 1/8" birch ply doublers on either side of the ribs/formers.

Wood cable guides were made to route the teleflex cable through the fuselage.

  Feb 28, 2020     Tail Wheel Spring Mount - (20 hours)       Category: Landing Gear

The saga of the tail wheel spring mount. Originally the spring was just mounted to the underside of the wooden fuselage per the plans. There were a ton of reasons why this was a terrible idea. To name a few: the wear from the flex of the spring would ruin the wood, the spring would twist under the applied torque of the tailwheel in a turn, there is no dampening from spring back, the tailwheel castor angle was too small, there was no clamp to secure all three leaves, etc.

We designed the new mount based on a Taylorcraft style tailwheel spring clamp. We used Solidworks to draw up the part and had the pieces laser cut, formed and welded at my father-in-laws fab shop. Without a really heavy duty metal brake, we couldn''t accurately form the 90degree angles with 1/8" and 1/16" 4130 steel plate. I tried and it wasn''t pretty.

We used the Taylorcraft rubber damper in the clamp and match drilled all the holes. The side piece secure it to the fuselage and a 5/16" bolt ties the side pieces, bottom plate and clamp together. It turned out super nice and couldn''t have been happier.