Mar 14, 2024     Glass cockpit       Category: Instrument Panel

Another time consuming research and training... This is for flying another airplane, but I think electronic flight instruments are simpler and better in a small plane like the Hummelbird. I will get EFIS qualified.

  Dec 31, 2023     Adapting engine mount - (1 hour)       Category: Firewall

The global engine has a different location for engine mount from usual 1/2 VW engine. I'm trying to make a temporary adapter from a 5mm plate of steel.

  Nov 02, 2023     First playing with aluminium sheet metal - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage

First attempt with aluminium, to make a end cap on the construction beam. There is nothing right. Bending radius, corner relief holes, deburring, and so on. I will do it all again until I can do a better job with aluminium. Of course, that is not going to fly.

  Aug 24, 2023     Spare Magneto = out of service - (2 hours)       Category: Engine

Magneto Fairbanks FMJ from Leboncoin, I had the hope to reuse some parts. After complete dissassembly, the bearing cage in the core is damaged - seems due to poor previous attempt to dismount from past owners. I cannot reuse most of the parts.

  Jun 04, 2023     It starts with a beam - (1 hour)       Category: Fuselage

Above the clutter, laying out the beam I will make for temporary building the fuselage. I use masonry aluminum profiles from DIY store.
The plans propose 2, 2x4' wood beams in a T shape, but I think the wood may bend easily in the garage.
Others have bought 100x100mm square aluminium profile, but I could not locate a supplier.

  Mar 25, 2023     New propeller !       Category: Propeller

I got a new prop! But not compatible with the Global engine. I plan to use it anyway for engine tests. I'll have to find a way to place it correctly on the hub. If that doesn't work out. I'll use it as a decorative propeller.

  Mar 09, 2023     Painting the engine mount - (1 hour)       Category: Firewall

I wanted to paint my engine mount in white. I guess you can see better the cracks that way. The first coat did not go so well, the varnish support had not enough grip. I will give a light sanding and do another coat or two.

  Jan 11, 2023     Renewed RSA subscription Category: Purchase

Very slow progress but I have renewed the subscription to RSA to keep up the good motivation.

  Nov 12, 2022     Are tri-star azusa wheels inspired by the Spitfire ? - (3 hours)       Category: Landing Gear

Are tri-star azusa wheels inspired by the Spitfire ?
A family outing to the Paris' Musee de l'Air et Espace, and I'm of course looking at the airframes construction. This spitfire wheel looks so much like the tri-star Azusa wheel. No wonder this design is so popular.

  Nov 09, 2022     Inter'Action Category: Research

Looking forward attending INTER'ACTION training in 2023! http://inter.action.free.fr/

  Sep 09, 2022     Hanging the Global Engine - (2 hours)       Category: Engine

I've bought and installed a small crane on a construction pole, so that I can hang the engine and start to work on it.

  Sep 06, 2022     Anti corrosion layer on engine mount - (0.5 hour)       Category: Firewall

After a bit of cleaning with wrap and acetone, I have sprayed a coat of Rustol. That product is oil based and enter in any small area. I might later on spray a white paint, I have read that it would be easier to check and see cracks if the engine mount is in white.

  Aug 17, 2022     Material for engine mount - (1 hour)       Category: Purchase

Another purchase at Aircraft Spruce :
Steel tubing for the engine mount = 1/2" x 0.058 (total 17ft) and 1,3/8x0.049 to fit the rubbers, 1/2"x 0.065 for the mounting bolt bushings and flat washers (AN960-616 / AN960-1216). I have also ordered the o ring for the Usher gascolator and 32CMS 1/16 welding rods.

  Jul 25, 2022     Rassemblement RSA 2022 Brienne - (4 hours)       Category: Research

I attended on Saturday the RSA gathering. Many builders there, very inspiring. Saw a new engine development from vaxell.com and met with Evra for propellers.

  Jul 07, 2022     Pneumatic drill       Category: Tools

I've found a used pneumatic drill, not so expansive, but it's from a well known, good quality brand: Atlas Copco. It's rated 6000 rpm.

  May 15, 2022     Crate to protect the canopy - (4 hours)       Category: Fuselage

I have built a crate to protect my canopy. It was in a carton box and I was always worried something could fall on it and damage it. I have used wood from an old pallet and OSB planks left from the house. Added rollers to move it around easily in the basement.

  May 08, 2022     Cleaning the Clecos - (2 hours)       Category: Tools

Spent long 2 hours cleaning the cleco I've received. I sprayed a large amount of WD40 with the hope it will help preserve from the rust. I now have 134 Silvers and 125 Coppers.
Silver = 3/32 rivet - #40 drill bit
Copper = 1/8 rivet - #30 drill bit

  Apr 13, 2022     Old material kit purchase - (3 hours) Category: Purchase

A big step forward in my project : I have found an old material kit - many parts! But I have to check and confirm the condition of each part. Most welded parts are from Hummel for sure.

  Mar 29, 2022     Anchor nut AN366-632 - (1 hour)       Category: Purchase

I've found on rsafrance.com a good deal for anchor nuts. AN366-632 or MS21078 #6. I'm not exactly sure where I'll use these, but it's on the material list.

  Mar 27, 2022     Wheel Balancer - (0.5 hour)       Category: Purchase

Bought a wheel balancer (for motorcycle). One wheel is really out, needed +25g! hum... maybe the other too. I hadn't enough mass for the other wheel, so I have to buy some others from Aliexpress. Not sure it's really necessary to balance the wheels... but why not doing it?

  Mar 20, 2022     Rounding the cam of azusa brakes - (0.5 hour)       Category: Landing Gear

Following the instructions of the Sonex, I've rounded the actuating cam of the Azusa brakes. I'm really not sure that is effective, but I wanted to open the brakes anyway to slightly grease the mechanical parts.

  Mar 19, 2022     Expensive nuts - (1 hour)       Category: Purchase

Expensive nuts: impossible to find 5/16 nylock jam nuts in France ! 5/16 castle nuts are all UNF - not UNC. And I could find only the standard size nylock - not the thin jam nylock. I had to order in UK, with import taxes !

  Mar 14, 2022     Wheels assembly - (0.5 hour)       Category: Landing Gear

Assembly of the 2 wheels, with left over talc. It was fun!

  Mar 10, 2022     Press bearing cage in Azusa wheel - (0.5 hour)       Category: Landing Gear

I was not happy with the position of the bearing in the wheels rim. The Azusa tri-star wheels came with the pressed bearing cage. Checking the look of the bearing seating in the wheel there was a gap. I pressed the cage until possible and the protective washer looks much better.

  Feb 27, 2022     Azusa tri-star aluminum wheels - (1 hour)       Category: Landing Gear

I have the beautiful Azusa 5" wheels. The rims were not fitting well together. I have sanded lightly the surface and drilled a little (~1mm depth) the locator holes (2 on each rims, about 5.5 mm). Now when I put the 2 rims together it has a better fit. There is still a small gap but it's much better than before.

  Feb 04, 2022     Renouvellement Adhesion RSA - (0.1 hour) Category: Research

Renouvellement de l'adhesion federation RSA

  Feb 01, 2022     Global engine size = 92mm x 78mm - (2 hours)       Category: Engine

I have finally opened my Global Engine to check the size : the heads seem fine, the valves and rockers are good. The cylinders show a few scratching marks, but should be ok. I have more concerns for the pistons that have thick black deposit and rust. I should clean up the rust... and the piston arrow is towards the rear (pointing the pilot seat).
The size? 78mm by 92mm, so 1034 cc and should deliver about 37hp.
Engine number is 0884 A022 78.

  Jan 18, 2022     T central beam to make the fuselage - (1 hour) Category: Research

The plan calls for a T beam make with two 2x4. Actual dimensions of 2x4' are = 89mm x 38mm. Then the "T" is 89mm width and 127 height.
I think I'll make my beam with aluminium 100x118mm -- and that's 3m long!

  Jan 12, 2022     1/2 VW engine drawing conversion - (2 hours)       Category: Engine

I've finally found a way to convert old format drawings of 1/2 VW conversion to any usable format like jpd / tiff. It's now printable!
1. Use original (.wmf) format files
2. Open with application JT2Go (free)
3. Print as pdf (Black&White / scale to fit / set for best quality / choose format A1 or B1) with application PDF24
4. In Acrobat Reader, save as .tiff file
5. Open in Application InfranView 64 and Replace colors Black-> White and White -> Black, then save without compression
6. Open with Paint and adjust select area to save as new file, then save as .jpg

  Dec 15, 2021     Rivet gun - (1 hour)       Category: Tools

I've bought a used rivet air gun. It's a 2X - I understood on some forum it could be short on power compared to 3X for some long or fat rivets. Old brand is Avery Enterprise. At least, I'm sure it's a good quality, aviation rivet gun (not one of the cheap stuff), However I'm not sure the compatibility with CP Chicago Pneumatics accessories.

  Dec 13, 2021     Quick Drain Valve - (1 hour)       Category: Purchase

I've bought a quick drain valve = CURTIS VALVE CCA-7000. It looks very good quality, all aluminium. Will install it to replace 3/8" NPT plug on my engine.

  Sep 28, 2021     Setup workshop - (2 hours) Category: Workshop

Keep setting up in the workshop: build furnitures for tools and stuff along the wall. Not aircraft related but I cannot make good work in currnt setting.

  Aug 08, 2021     EAA membership EAA #: 1388979 - (0.5 hour) Category: Purchase

EAA membership EAA #: 1388979 --- I have renewed until 2026 ! (expecting long term project ;-))

  Aug 08, 2021     Oil tray - (1 hour) Category: Engine

My engine is leaking oil. On the left cylinder head and through the oil pressure sensor. Until I have some time to fix it, I've build an easy (wood left from the workshop) oil tray under the engine so the floor stays clean.

  Apr 22, 2021     Ignition cables - (1 hour) Category: Engine

Bought ignition cables for my secondary electronic ignition system - originate from Ford/Escort. Automotive products are cheaper and of good quality.

  Apr 03, 2021     First sparks - (2 hours)       Category: Engine

Spent a few evenings to re-assemble the magneto. I had to order a new "Magneto Ground Terminal Assembly" as the original one was bent.
I found it on Harley (old type 1958-1969 XLCH) vendors. (Reproduction of 29626-55). I had to remove the new rubber (front side) on the magneto bearing : it was too tight and the rotor wouldn't turn easily. I've install the original one.
I got my first sparks !! However, it is quite weak... I plan on changing the condensor, maybe also the point.

  Mar 23, 2021     Cheap coil - (1 hour)       Category: Purchase

Bought a cheap coil (18 EUR) for secondary ignition (Ford type) - but one leg was broken from bad packaging/handling. I've epoxied and tried to repair.

  Mar 20, 2021     Rebuilding the magneto - (1 hour)       Category: Engine

Start rebuilding the magneto, after cleaning all parts, I've first pressed the new front bearing.
I've ordered small threads Loctite 222 to secure the rear bearing box.

  Mar 02, 2021     Failed to drill in bolt head - (1 hour)       Category: Engine

Spent 1 hour and failed to drill in oil plug head. I think I had a bad not enough speed, not stable jig.

  Jan 19, 2021     Oil for the engine - (1 hour)       Category: Engine

I haven't opened the Global engine yet, but I thought she would be happier with some oil. There is no obvious place to fill in the oil so I opened the pressure relief and it looks quite ok from there. I turned the engine side to side to spread oil inside. (used synthetic 5W30/5W40 - will obviously remove it when I opened the engine)
At the bottom of the engine, I guessed the oil drain plug is a Hallen M17x1.5. It was sealed with teflon band ! I need to find a way to secure it.

  Dec 28, 2020     Workbench to pratice welding - (10 hours)       Category: Workshop

To practice welding with Oxy Acetylene, I first bought the EAA's book "the Art of Welding". Then I try to apply to a training project to make a workbench. The structure is made of square thin tubes (1.5mm) the top is a flat steel sheet 1mm.
If I were to do it again, I'd use better steel tubes without varnish which was hard to remove before welds,