New XL builder looking for sanity check

[clmartin0721]

Hello everyone

I am a new builder in the Houston area. After perusing these forums, I have assembled a list of upgrades that I am considering that will support the intended mission for the plane, which is cross country travel. (I know, cross country at 70mph is a little crazy, but if I was in a hurry, I would build a RV :0 ) I will be registering the plane with a N Number to remove the airspace limitations, so part 103 weight compliance is not really an issue. Also, I weigh 220 (and decreasing) so there is some extra weight before I hit gross already. Here is the list;

ENGINE

• Full case
• Rear Mag
• 45hp build
• Would like electric start

AIRFRAME

• Dual wing tanks, welded aluminum
• Increase wall thickness and / or diameter of Landing Gear tubing
• Increase thickness of the 8 main attach gussets
• Covering for the cabin area only, rear boom uncovered
• Possibly use the team max templates for the wing ribs (I have seen discussions about incorrect dimensions on the original templates / plan from Leonard?)
• Position and strobe lights
• Pneumatic tires (not bicycle) with differential brakes
• Regular seat with 5 point harness
• Standard covering system vs lightweight as in plans
• Tabs welded aft of the seat to accommodate a 5-10ga fuel container. Not plumbed into the system, but there as a reserve for refill if needed.

AVIONICS

• Garmin AERA 796 with XM weather (already have it)
• Electronic engine monitor
• Mounted antenna for portable av radio
• Analog fuel gauge and fuel flow as backup

SO are there any other "must have" items that I have missed? I am trying not to get into the area of big engineering changes, as I am generally happy with the design as it is. I thank everyone for your assistance, and I am looking forward to the project.

So

[scottiniowa]

 

ENGINE

• Full case
  2 or 4 cyl? you can have both for the case.
• Rear Mag
  can and is done by several
• 45hp build
  can and is done by several, even with just 2 jugs
• Would like electric start
  Has been done, but hand propping a 45HP is easy.

AIRFRAME

• Dual wing tanks, welded aluminum
  Can be done easy enough, but then perhaps consider a header tank, well consider it anyway.
• Increase wall thickness and / or diameter of Landing Gear tubing
  Based on someones stronger design?  or just estimating?
• Increase thickness of the 8 main attach gussets
  same as number 2
• Covering for the cabin area only, rear boom uncovered
  Has been done
• Possibly use the team max templates for the wing ribs (I have seen discussions about incorrect dimensions on the original templates / plan from Leonard?)
  idea here is to pick one and go with it.
• Position and strobe lights
  can be done/has been done, yes
  
  
• Pneumatic tires (not bicycle) with differential brakes 
  Lots of eagle have been built without bike tires... so no new ground here.
• Regular seat with 5 point harness
  define regular seat? Would you consider a Rans S6 S7 or S20 having regular seats? With thousands of them out there, I would-- and you can't get much lighter, so am not sure what critique is used to determine "regular"
  
  
• Standard covering system vs lightweight as in plans
  Generally is based on weight/speed of aircraft, I guess this would depend on what your after...
  
  
• Tabs welded aft of the seat to accommodate a 5-10ga fuel container. Not plumbed into the system, but there as a reserve for refill if needed.
  With present frame way of building, you may need more than tabs, and to be honest, a pretty big difference between 5 or 10 gal... like in 100% difference.  And of course you got weight and balance things to contend with.  I don't mean to be cynical here, but there might be exactly what you wanting, already designed/tested and flying out there. Generally it is not as easy as adding this or that..  Just saying.

AVIONICS

• Garmin AERA 796 with XM weather (already have it)
• Electronic engine monitor
• Mounted antenna for portable av radio
• Analog fuel gauge and fuel flow as backup
  Back up to your sight gages? Just playing devil advocate here!  Food for thought!

SO are there any other "must have" items that I have missed? I am trying not to get into the area of big engineering changes, as I am generally happy with the design as it is. I thank everyone for your assistance, and I am looking forward to the project.

So

 I sure don't mean to toss cold water on new plans, but very often when a person describes what he wants in a plane quit often turns out to be exactly another plane. But was never thought of. Certainly there are also some great new planes that come out... for example the Aero Lite 103, was always stated as a combination of many different aircraft done right. Though from a cost standpoint, one really wouldn't put it with the Legal Eagle...  again, just thinking. Not saying anything is right or wrong with new thoughts.

[clmartin0721]

Thanks for the reply, i disnt think these were anything new, so that is good news. I tried to stick to items that arent major design changes. As for the aft gas container, i will look at w/b first between the header tank and the aft tank. May not even need the aft tank if it has too negative of an effect on w/b. I have solidworks and catia and can do the stress analysis on any of these parts.

The landing gear beef up was in response to some posts concerning bent gear after a hard landing. But any increase would be perhaps one step up in thickness.

Again, thanks for the input. It was very helpful.

Craig

[okdonn]

You might consider the Double Eagle - seems a bit closer to your mission, and who knows, you might want to take a friend someday :-)
I don't see any reason to use heavier fabric - the aircraft is so light and slow.

[clmartin0721]

Hi

Good point on the fabric


I already have the xl plans package


As for friends, i am probably going to buy a 182. This is just my personal toy.

[okdonn]

Truth be told, you need both. We use the 182 for traveling, but my wife only enjoys flying in aircraft like the Breezy, etc. - hence my next build will most likely be a Double eagle (once I finish the Tailwind). Some prefer riding in an aluminum can, others the open air . . .

[clmartin0721]

Don

I totally agree

We are also looking at c310r also

[Samyguy]

I agree a header tank would be much better than a rear tank for weight/balance.
Can you use 2.9 fabric on these wings, with out crushing them when you shrink the fabric??
It's much more resistant to hanger rash!!

[Leonard]

Hi,
 you need another design.   Leonard

[Vince Carucci]

I think it's do-able.