Belite Ultralight Blog

Floats For Ultralights, Explained

2013-05-23T18:38:00.002-05:00

Really cool, really good video, filmed at Sun N Fun, all about our sort-of-unannounced amphibious floats:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvWmbjVmRLw&feature=youtu.be

Filmed by Dave Loveman, Dan Johnson does the interview of me.

Kyle Hill: What MythBusters Taught Me

2013-05-14T08:52:00.003-05:00

As a MythBusters guest alumni, ("Duct Tape Plane") I note the following post on Scientific American:

What MythBusters Taught Me, by Kyle Hill

Enjoy the blog post!

MZ201 Revised Mount

2013-05-13T13:59:00.000-05:00

It's interesting to see the background work in creating a new motor mount. We recently had opportunity to improve our MZ201 motor mount, and here's the result, in step by step photo fashion. This is everything from raw placement to ready to fire up:

First of all, let's put the motor on blocks, adjust height, and ensure that the propeller is on centerline:

Lining up the MZ201 engine on a Belite Ultracub.

Then we put a laser on the rear of the fuselage. It is lined up with the centerline, which is easily determined from the CNC cut rivet holes further forward in the fuselage design.

Using a laser to line the engine mount.

Using a level to find the middle of the thrust line.

The laser shoots through the entire structure from the tail forward and hits the thrust line. See the red dot on the level, below? Also note the square in the lower left side of the picture. It is lined up with the centerline of the firewall, and the laser is lined up with it, as well.

You must click the following link to expand the article:

Using the level and the laser. Also note the square on the lower left.

The motor is sitting on 1/2" by 1" chromalloy square tubing. We now start to weld 1/2" hollow 4130 to the square tubing. Note that the motor mount bushing locations have already been set into the firewall frame as well.

Starting to weld the motor mount.

Most of the steel welded in place.

Now let's take the level away and look at the mount and engine:

MZ 201 motor mount making progress.

Now let's remove the engine and take another look:

Motor mount for MZ201, under construction.

The holes on the bottom need to be drilled out to accept rubber engine mounts. The ends of the square tubing are welded in, everything gets a coat of paint, and it's all put back together.

There's lots of wires, fuel line, throttle cable to be run and placed, also the primer line, so here's some pictures of the engine mostly put together on the mount:

MZ201 engine on the plane, much is done.

MZ 201 engine from side.

I'm very proud of our wiring skills. Thank you, Christian, for doing such a good job. Here's some pics:

MZ201 wiring going to panel

Back of instrument panel on Belite Ultracub

Wiring passing through firewall

Another view of wiring passing thru firewall

You may have noticed that this happens to be a tricycle gear aircraft. It is ready for first flight in a day or two.

Thanks to Leon Massa of CRE.

Scammed by Microsoft? It feels like it.

2013-05-12T21:09:00.005-05:00

I want to borrow my blog briefly to talk a little more about Windows 8. And the Surface tablet. And Microsoft marketing. And how I feel scammed. And how HP & Microsoft failed to come to my aid. Which is how this blog post came into being.

My anger and embarrassment about paying for this stupid laptop computer I am now working on (Hewlett Packard) and this OS (Windows 8) has had my mind scurrying for solutions which will resolve my mental negative funk. Apologies to my mother, Katie Funk Wiebe, who was my original source of funk Funk.

I talked with Microsoft via a chat session; also with HP via a chat session. Both were told that Windows 8 was not a pleasant experience for me and that I wanted a downgrade or (in the case of HP) a refund of my money for the computer.

HP played support games with me: they told me they couldn't downgrade because of a license arrangement with Microsoft; ironically Microsoft had kicked the ball back to HP. When you start to hear stuff like this, you realize that you are a helpless consumer pawn whose checking account has been sucked by the corporate forces. There will be no satisfaction for me on this issue. At least not yet, at least not now.

Microsoft's attitude was succinctly so: your problem can only be resolved by HP.

HP's attitude was also succinctly so: your problem is not resolvable because of contracts with Microsoft. You'll screw up your computer (but you are welcome to purchase a copy of Windows 7 at your own expense at any computer store...)

I argued with HP on all of that. Any company is capable of refunding money on their product; and can do so at any time. They could refund money on the entire computer; or they could reimburse me for my retail purchase of a copy of Windows 7, which I refuse to do. (Not another penny to Microsoft; they deserve punishment for their behavior.) My feelings towards HP are nearly as strong. Someone needed to stand up and say the New Coke had arrived and to reject it. Change the business plan. Change the corporate goals. Change the message to consumers (EG: Our computers may, uh, SUCK for a while while our OS vendor sorts things out, but at least our corporate policy of honesty remains intact...)

If you want to understand my frustration with Windows 8, you need to watch this 23 minute video. It contains explanations of about just about everything I've experienced, and it is very funny, and it is very instructive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WTYet-qf1jo

Let's talk about the Windows 8 Surface tablet computer. I've noticed the unending barrage of Surface ads from Microsoft... they've helped MS sell a measly 900,000 tablets. This number is a 'rounding error' in comparison to iPad sales. Here's a Surface ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=des3dpKtfIM

From hexus.net:

According to Paul Thurrott, Microsoft’s advertising campaign for Surface draws upon a considerable proportion of $1.5 billion total budget; he puts forward a figure of $400 million. The advertising blitz by Microsoft is expected to generate 1.6 billion impressions, upon the US population of about 300 million people, reports Softpedia. Peter Han, VP of Microsoft’s US OEM division said “I can tell you, it's going to be difficult to tune in to your typical popular TV show or sports program and not see a Windows commercial in the next few months.”

That means for every Surface that Microsoft has sold, they've spent $444 in marketing money. Since the Surface sells for $600 and up, and wholesales from Microsoft for less than that (I'm guessing $500-ish), I think Microsoft is spending about 80% of the revenue of each Surface on marketing advertisements.

Every time I see that advert on the TV, it just adds to my anger and frustration: just another slap in the face from the former software titan. Any company that can afford to spend 80% of revenue on marketing ought to rethink what happens when things go wrong. Time to pull the ad, I think.

And of course, I've noticed the announcement of Microsoft selling 100 million copies of the new OS. It looks like about 60% of these are actually real.

Chew on this article:

http://bgr.com/2013/05/10/windows-8-installation-base-estimate-59-million/

Which is to say, a sale isn't an install, and given my experience, an install isn't a happy customer.

The flipped headline might read like this:

"41% of all Windows 8 purchasers refuse to install it".

Heck, an even more appropriate headline might be:

"25% of all Windows 8 purchasers actually tolerate or like it; 16% hate it; and the rest were smart enough to not install it."

Hopefully, there will be accountability at change at Microsoft. Or maybe not.

In this article, Microsoft fans defend the sale of 100 million copies. But don't any of them realize that the emperor has no clothes? (or 60% of the clothes?, with all the critical parts of the clothes missing?)

http://www.stableytimes.com/news/amid-microsoft-criticism-windows-8-fans-defend-steve-ballmer/

Back at Microsoft, they are rethinking the product, and their management. This article from the Financial Times thinks it through fairly well. If you want to beat on Microsoft (and Steve Ballmer) for a while, read here:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/7266e47c-b72f-11e2-a249-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2T8FCHVjf

In order to understand how I feel scammed by Microsoft, consider the definitions of SCAM, DEFRAUD and FRAUD.

Scam: n.

A fraudulent business scheme; a swindle.

tr.v. scammed, scam·ming, scams

To defraud; swindle.

Defraud: tr.v. de·fraud·ed, de·fraud·ing, de·frauds

To take something from by fraud; swindle:

Fraud: n.

1. A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.

(Thanks to http://www.thefreedictionary.com)

So that's why it feels like a scam to me. It's unfair to sell an operating system for a laptop computer, when, in fact, that operating system reduces the productivity of the user of that computer.

A final analysis of Windows 8 from ZD-Net calls out how Windows 8 is on an even slower adoption path than the dismal failure known as Vista. Worth a read:

http://www.zdnet.com/five-reasons-why-windows-8-has-failed-7000012104/

Well, at least there's hope for Microsoft's marketing department. They are able to take disaster and make entertaining videos. Really. Enjoy these new Asian marketing Windows 8 viral marketing videos. Trust me, you don't have to understand a word of Chinese. You'll get 'em, and you'll be rolling on the floor.

http://www.geekwire.com/2013/microsofts-crazy-brilliant-windows-8-viral-videos-live/

That's all for now.

Helicopters at Aero Expo / Friedrichshafen

2013-05-06T20:27:00.000-05:00

Some cool helicopter photos which I took at Aero Expo / Friedrichshafen:

Konner Gas turbine helicopter.

See more helicopter pics by clicking through:

Gust Kiss Land

2013-05-01T09:47:00.003-05:00

Rippling gusts played with the newly forming leaves in the trees. The moving air went across the short strands of wheat in the nearby fields, like waves over a tossed pond surface.

Checking the local weather, even with gusts to 26mph, I had to do it.

Takeoff.

Extraordinary beauty.

Dusk approaches, takeoff, strut view.

Everywhere I look, I see the sea of wheat. I see the wind rippling through it. I see the shadows. I see the green.

Sea Of Wheat

I make four or five touch and goes. They are challenging: the gusts are testing my alertness on the controls. My UltraCub cuts through them.

While resting on the runway, I take a picture of the wind sock.

Wind Sock

I take off again, rise through the chopped air, and take more pictures.

View of our fields

Coming in one last time, somehow I manage to get video of my approach and landing.

It's gusty. The airplane descends to the grass field, and the wheels reach for the grass like a man seeking a kiss at the end of a date. Then the kiss happens, and it is beautiful.

70 feet later, the airplane has rolled to a stop.

See it here on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6XeiINw9Gs&feature=youtu.be

Technical comments:

1) Yes it was very windy. The UltraCub did fine, but I made all takeoffs and landings with zero flaps. This is unusual.

2) The slow stall speed of the UltraCub is an advantage for the very short ground roll, both on takeoff and landing.

3) All my turns in the air were very flat and measured.

4) Climbouts were also flat so as to gain airspeed and ensure against a gust caused stall.

5) You can see the three pointer landing at full stall working to my advantage. When the plane stalled, I was as slow as possible and the gusts on the ground no longer made a difference.

6) I am a high time pilot with sharp taildragger skills. This is dangerous stuff and I was above our recommended Belite conditions. You do it at your own risk, OK? That's what our liability agreement says anyway.

7) It was beautiful. Gust Kiss Land.

Sailplanes at Aero Expo Friedrichshafen

2013-04-30T12:42:00.001-05:00

For my sailplane friends. Aero was flooded with gliders of all types. Seriously, many, many gliders. Here's some of the antique ones. I didn't bother to take pics of the modern ones. (Except for an electric glider, below.)

From Aero-Expo in Friedrichshafen, before going to the show

2013-04-25T01:50:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone!

I'm attending Aero Expo in Friedrichshafen, Germany. I just arrived at my hotel late last night. The show has already been running for a day. My plan is to visit it today and tomorrow, then perhaps an hour or two on Saturday morning, then head home. More here on Aero: http://www.aero-expo.com/.

Jet lag is always an issue. After a fitful short night of rest on the plane from Chicago to London, I flew on to Munich, then rented a car for the drive down to the Friedrichshafen area. The joy of the Autobahn. Yes, yes, yes, it's a thrill. Please don't tell my wife, but I didn't go much faster than 200 in my clean Skoda with a manual six speed; and it's thrilling to be passed by Über fast cars who clearly want to get somewhere very, very quickly. You're reading this so I survived. :-) That's a speed even Larry K. could appreciate.

Even with jet lag, I got a near solid 8 hours of sleep (thanks to a Tiny Little Sleeping Pill my Doc prescribed before I left Wichita). Here in Germany, it's already a new day, and the weather is perfect again, the sun is shining, so it's my first day full day on the ground.

I had quite an adventure trying to figure out how to set an alarm last night. The hotel room has no clock. So I had to get an alarm from either my new phone, my Kindle, or my computer. Well..... the phone wouldn't download an alarm app, due to the poor connectivity. The computer could get one by download from the internet, which I did, but it would also run out of battery power overnight, because my wall socket adapter wasn't the correct size. Same problem for the kindle. (I had brought the wrong euro adapter!)

So last night, before I went to bed, I cut the end off a U.S. power cord, stuffed the raw ends in the Euro wall socket, and *voila*, the computer started to charge. Attached the kindle to the computer, and it started to charge too. Set a newly downloaded alarm on both, popped my Tiny Little Sleeping Pill, and went to sleep (very quickly). Reminds of my days with HotPlug at WiebeTech. (For which I have a patent.)

And it worked. Computer's battery didn't die. Neither did the Kindle. Alarm woke me up. Otherwise, who knows how many years I would have slept in my coma-like sleeping pill induced haze.

Just had breakfast which they provide in a dining room upstairs. Basic european fare - rolls, coffee, breakfast meats, boiled eggs, cereal, fruit, juice. I just had some rolls with butter, very good, then with several cups of their great coffee. This is one part of Euro travel I really enjoy. I sat in the dining room, listening to the languages flow through the room like cream mixing in a cup, enjoying three cups of that coffee.

I'll be off to the show in 45 minutes or so.

My email in basket has copies of recent patent filings which were done on my behalf. In order to expedite the claims, they were done with what is called a provisional patent application. Two new sets of claims filed back in the states. Awesome. I'm looking forward to explaining that.

Finally, I really like the little hotel I selected. I am staying at the Garni Eden in Meersburg.

Best deal in the world right now for a small airplane kit. Giveaway Multi Function aircraft instrument.

2013-04-20T13:06:00.000-05:00

I want to give you the new aircraft Multi Function Instrument from Belite.

Of course there is a catch! You have to buy something else from Belite, as explained below.

The picture below shows it in the Multi Function Instrument. Click anywhere on it to see the full resolution version on your computer:

Multi Function Instrument for Belite, Free. With a catch.

Here is the 'catch', or 'Terms and Conditions'.

1. The Angle Of Attack is not included, but is an option ($700) to this free instrument. For $700, you get the sensor, the vane, and the separate AOA computer that plugs into the back of this instrument.

2. The unit includes an inclinometer as shown above. You can upgrade to the Turn Coordinator for $150 more.

3. A blank instrument panel is included, ALSO FREE. This blank CNC cut panel has a custom cutout for the MultiFunction instrument and four 2.25" round cutouts. The panel is supplied unpainted. Here is the panel, as typically installed in a plane, with additional instruments:

Multi Function Instrument in Belite metal panel, free*. *Check T&Cs.

Painted Blank Panel, part of free*. offer from Belite (supplied unpainted). *Check T&Cs.

4. You must buy our Belite UltraCub kit to receive the free MultiFunction Instrument. The Belite UltraCub is also specially priced; normally $8500, it is priced at $6995 until May 15, 2013. If you include the value of this instrument, it is about a $550 additional value. So over $9 grand of Belite Stuff for $6.995 grand plus + shipping. (Check with Kathy for your shipping quote).

With a little work, along with an engine, prop, etc..., you can make your kit look like this:

Belite UltraCub with 4 stroke 1/2VW engine.

In other words: you get the Belite UltraCub kit, including the Turtledeck kit, along with a blank panel and this MultiFunction Instrument. All for $6995 + shipping. Best deal in the world right now for a small airplane kit.

5. The Multi Function instrument is available ONLY as configured as shown. It includes the airspeed indicator with the speed range set as shown; the inclinometer; the fuel gauge (compatible with capacitive or resistive senders), and the AGL altimeter. The power switch has three settings: Off, On/dim, On/bright. The power switch has detents which prevent accidental powerdown. The dim and bright refer the LED brightness. Also included are 3 general purpose alarm LEDs. All alarm LEDs are brilliant red when turned on. They may be attached to anything: when grounded, they turn on. In our Burgundy demonstrator, one is attached to the engine oil pressure switch.

6. We ran a similar promotion one year ago which was very successful. This is even better: the airplane has improved, engine options have improved, and the free instrument set is much better. And a free metal panel is included.

7. Like last year, we did not repeat this promotion after the deadline had ended. This offer will terminate no later than May 15, 2013.

8. You have to place a nonrefundable deposit of $2500 to get this offer. You can schedule delivery of your kit for anytime later this year, but not later than Dec. 15, 2013, but the deposit is due on May 15.

9. This offer is also available on Ready To Fly aircraft: Just tell us that you want the free Multifunction Instrument upgrade for your RTF plane when you place your order. Next delivery slot is open for August, 2013. Check our website for pricing and model configurations. Prices on our aircraft range from $15995 up to $40K (or more) and this offer is available on any configuration. You must specify it to receive it.

10. Just because the multi function unit includes an "AGL" altimeter does not preclude you from adding a conventional altimeter, such as our high resolution digital LCD unit. It would install in any of the open 2.25" instrument holes. For example:

Digital LCD altimeter from Belite. $249.

11. This offer may be withdrawn or changed at anytime without notice.

Windows 8 Is Horrible. There, I said it.

2013-04-20T11:29:00.001-05:00

I'm calling timeout from airplanes and computer forensics to make a few comments on Windows 8.

Hey, I'm so sick of Windows 8 that I've decided to write a few short paragraphs about it.

First of all, let me make a recommendation: Your decision to buy a computer should include whether or not it has Windows 8 installed. If it does include Windows 8, reject that computer and move on. That's how I feel about Windows 8.

I put a game face on with my recent purchase of Windows 8 laptop from HP. I really hadn't studied Windows 8. I knew it was different, but hey, if Microsoft was willing to risk it all, I'm just a sucker consumer and willing to give it a play too.

It had the new interface style --- "Metro" I think is what Microsoft calls it.

I was able to load my old apps and run them without difficulty.

Then I began to realize the quirks and oddness. I had to keep 'passing' through the Tile Screen, for lack of a better word, to get to a way to launch my apps.

Okay, that's annoying. I might have been able to live with it.

Then more Windows 8 irritants popped up. When running apps, I would scoot the cursor over the screen, and suddenly ****POOF**** the screen would switch from an app to something else, like a PDF file or a picture. I have no idea why. I've seen it happen now dozens of times, and every time it does, I have to move the cursor to the upper left corner of the screen and drag back what I was working on.

More on cursor movement. Often, in applications (think Adobe Lightroom) I rapidly move the cursor to the right side of the screen so that I can utilize controls. In Windows 8, if the cursor happens to hit the upper or lower corner of the screen, it pops up an annoying bar of controls from the right side of the screen. You then have to shuffle the cursor back to the left, make the annoying bar go away, and then more carefully move the cursor back to the control you were trying to manipulate.

I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.

Then, at some point, it will ****poof**** you to an application you weren't expecting.

I chatted with HP on the issue, and threatened to never buy a HP computer again. They indicated I could downgrade to Windows 7, "but is never recommended" or some such BS, and told me I'd have to buy my own copy of Windows 7 to make my computer appropriately functional and not the productivity sucker it has turned into.

I then chatted with Microsoft -- more of the same. They said I needed to talk to HP if I wanted to downgrade, and that Microsoft would not provide a copy of Windows 7.

I didn't save the chat session texts. I should have. Oh well.

I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.

My $.02 on Windows 8; your mileage may vary.

I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.

Something else from Belite takes off...

2013-04-16T08:48:00.001-05:00

Our Youtube videos have been viewed about 59,000 times in the last year, with over 100K minutes watched. :-)

The reason why is great videos like these: (Click any to see them)

Flying the new Paradise City pattern at SnF 2013 (you got to see this, brand new video from last week)
Flint Hills flying in a Belite UltraCub with 4 stroke (2 hour walkabout in a Belite)
High Performance climbout in a Belite (STARTLING climbout)

there are many more.

Below is the the statistic chart from YouTube.

Thanks for watching.

Belite YouTube Video Views over the last year

Paradise City photos of all sorts from Sun N Fun

2013-04-15T16:18:00.004-05:00

Below are some fun photos from Sun N Fun. This proves that the new Paradise City had a lot of stuff happening!

Make sure you also look at the YOUTUBE VIDEOS of flying the pattern at Paradise City.

Click on any photo below; it will open on your computer in high resolution. Enjoy!

Also, you'll enjoy looking at the many other posts that are on this blog, covering topics ranging from aircraft construction, carbon fiber development, adventure, and more. CLICK HERE to see the latest post.

Paradise City is dead center of this photo. Lots of activity there!

Paradise City runway top dead center.

Sun N Fun, photo taken from the Paradise City pattern.

A Belite Ultracub in front of a tree.

UltraCub from Belite, 4 stroke engine.

Paradise City runway.

Sun N Fun.

A Belite UltraCub! With a 4 Stroke!

Flying the pattern at Sun N Fun -- video posted!

2013-04-15T11:23:00.002-05:00

I strapped a GoPro to my head and flew the pattern at Sun N Fun.

It shows takeoff, pattern, and landing, all just as I saw it.

I was flying our Burgundy II demo airplane with a 45HP four stroke motor. I flew it a lot!

On Saturday, I was following the Just Super STOL and I had fun trying to match his landing lengths and takeoff rolls. If any of you readers were there, how did I do?? :-)

As I was getting ready to takeoff one more time on Saturday, I looked down and noted that I had a flat tire!! It was a good time to quit, so we called it a day and I taxied back. I couldn't find any hole in the tire, perhaps I spun the tube and broke the stem when hitting the brakes hard (while showing off the short stop landing).

CLICK HERE for the youtube video with the camera strapped to my head.

CLICK HERE for the youtube video taken from the lift strut.

(Two different videos -- two different views!)

Its Just Moody

2013-04-13T21:07:00.000-05:00

A photo report on the Just Super STOL and John K Moody flying a vintage ultralight at Sun N Fun 2013.

When a Belite UltraCub grows up, it wants to be a Just Aircraft Super STOL.

And John K Moody is just awesome. So are his ultralight aircraft.

Just Super STOL at Sun N Fun 2013

John K Moody, Father of Ultralights

John K Moody prepares his ultralight

Moody gets in

Moody takes the field

Moody airborne

Liftoff for John K Moody

Life is good, flying an ultralight

Over the trees at Sun N Fun

John K Moody flies away

The Best Altimeter for General Aviation, ever!!

2013-04-10T18:49:00.003-05:00

Every once in a while, I've had the opportunity to work on something that has turned out to be an industry game changer. Giving a nod to my background in computer forensics, one recent game changer that I've been privileged to be a part of is the CRU / WiebeTech "Ditto" product, which sucks information from hard drives in a forensically sound manner. In fact, it can do it from halfway around the planet. It does other really cool stuff too, like support stealth mode, but I won't talk about that here. :-O

My 30 year background in electronics, combined with my aviation passion, has allowed me to create a product which is simple to understand, and is very useful in multiple ways, and is affordable, and will be used by the owner, providing years of "why didn't someone do this before" moments as it provides valuable flight information.

It does many really cool things:

For instance, it displays Standard Indicated Altitude, which is received from a temperature compensated solid state pressure sensor circuit built inside the unit. This is the altimeter function you've come to know and expect. It works from 0 to 20K feet, no issues. You set the local altimeter pressure, it gives you the altitude.

The screen looks like this:

Indicated Altitude on Altimeter from Belite Aircraft

There are two indicator lights on the left (only one is used in this model). There are three switches in the unit. In order to set the local pressure just touch the left or the right switch. The pressure setting will move up and down.

If you touch the center switch, the unit will skip forward to the next mode, which is one of its coolest features:

* DENSITY altitude. The unit will supply the calculated density altitude, based on cockpit temperature. This feature is alone worth its weight in gold. I no longer guess or calculate the DA, I just touch a button and it reports it to me. You don't have to input the local pressure setting for this to work correctly; in fact the local pressure setting is irrelevant to the Density Altitude calculation. Density altitude looks like this:

Density Altitude calculation on Belite digital altimeter.

Density altitude, by convention, is always shown rounded to the nearest 100 feet.

By clicking the mode switch again (and again), you can move through several more display modes. They include:

Current system voltage
Current absolute pressure in inches or in Pascals
Current system voltage alarm level
Current display system -- English or Metric
Temperature, in Fahrenheit or Celsius
VFR Cruising alarm enable

Displaying the current system voltage is straightforward. I've got a screen shot showing an example:

Display the voltage

The unit shown was attached a nine volt battery. It will work fine with anything between 8 and 14 volts, so attaching to any conventional 12/14v system is fine.

One of the screens lets you select a system voltage alarm level:

Display the voltage alarm

So for my 9 volt battery, I set this to 8.6 volts. For a 12 volt system, I would probably set it to about 12.5 volts -- it would never go off unless the alternator failed. It flashes a battery symbol in the lower left corner of the display when the voltage is low.

I like the temperature display, because I think the design of the display icon is kind of cute. Here it is:

Belite digital altimeter showing temperature in fahrenheit.

As mentioned, there are several other screens which the unit will display. While stepping through the screens, you can always switch back to indicated altitude by holding the center mode switch down for about 2 seconds.

And if you hold the same button down for about six seconds, the unit will turn off. Touching any button brings it back to life.

While on the home (indicated altitude screen) if you push the mode button down, it will turn on a soft internal backlight. The backlight may also be attached to an external dimmer, compatible with 0 to 12 volts.

Another really interesting function for the average General Aviation pilot is the VFR cruising alarm. This alarm, when enabled, will flash the LED with a bright Red blink pattern when your altitude varies more than 100 feet from a VFR cruising altitude. For instance, if you are flying at 5500 feet, and the alarm is enabled, and you stray downwards to 5399 feet, the alarm will alert you.

The unit is so sensitive and accurate, you may place it at your feet and read the altitude, then move it to over your head, and read the change in altitude. There is a little single digit inaccuracy, but you will note a change in between 6 and 10 feet. Also, the unit is very fast -- it updates information many times per second.

Here's some basic technical information.

1. This unit weighs 50 grams, about 1.5 ounces.

2. This unit consumes about 1 milliamp of power. That is one-thousandth of an amp. (Assuming the backlight is NOT turned on.)

3. The external dimmer line is compatible with any voltage from 0 to 12V. Must supply up to 40ma of power for the backlight.

4. The unit will fit in any standard round 2.25" instrument hole.

5. You may remove the metal faceplate and directly mount the unit in any flat panel (must drill appropriate holes and cutouts to accommodate.)

6. Power supply must be between 8 and 14 volts.

7. Indicated altitude is shown in increments of one foot. Internal Analog to Digital converter has less resolution but is "dithered" to increase resolution.

8. The unit is upgradeable via firmware downloads.

9. It will display any altitude between 0 and 20,000 feet.

10. The VFR cruising alarm margin is +/- 100 feet.

11. As the unit is 'experimental', it may be used in any experimental airplane or ultralight airplane. With manufacture support, it could be used in Light Sport Aircraft.

12. When purchased in our enclosure version, it may be used in any aircraft.

You can order it from our online store, or from Aircraft Spruce, or from any of our international distributor partners. Pricing is $249.95 (US), or $299.95 in an enclosure with battery.

Absolute Pressure in Pascals.

In summary, my competitive sales guide would read like this:

1) Lightest industry weight -- 50 grams
2) Smallest size -- very thin, fits standard panel 2.25" hole
3) Lowest power consumption -- 1 milliamp
4) Highest resolution -- 1 foot displayed
5) Useful range -- 0 to 20,000 feet
6) Safety paramount -- provides Density Altitude
7) Cool additional features: -- voltage alarm, VFR cruising alarm, more
8) Great value -- $249.95
9) Also available in an enclosure for use in any airplane

Ultralight Aircraft Floats Intro Price $1950 for kit

2013-04-09T19:14:00.002-05:00

** We are temporarily offering float kits for ultralight aircraft for $1950. Pricing rises on May 16.**

Several weeks ago, I posted some limited information and pictures of our upcoming Belite amphibious floats, made from Aluminum.

I chose not to make this a product announcement at Sun N Fun. We just weren't ready, and we had lots of other juicy stuff: updates to our UltraCub, and lots of new instrument capabilities.

But I still thought it would be a wise idea to bring our float handiwork to Sun N Fun, put a price on them and see what happened.

Well, the first day of Sun N Fun is over, and we just officially sold our first float kit. Wow! A man walked up, indicated he'd been searching high and low for a great float option for his AirBike, and he found ours. He said it made the trip from California to Sun N Fun worth it. He left a deposit for the floats and is looking forward to the receipt of the float kit, which was promised for June.

In straight or amphibious configuration, the floats are rated for a gross aircraft weight of 620 pounds. As a result, they are ideal for ultralight aircraft (and fat ultralight aircraft, and light experimentals) of all kinds.

Until May 15, they may be ordered for $1950 for a set of 2 straight floats in kit form. Rivets and fittings and glue not included. The amphibious version is available for $2950. I will post some updated pictures of them tomorrow. On May 16, the price rises. How high? I haven't determined yet. We will formally announce this product at OshKosh, so this is our pre-intro sale.

You are required to provide a $500 or $750 deposit to reserve your float kit. All skins come predrilled.

Here's some pics:

Ultralight aircraft floats from Belite

Ultralight floats from Belite

Updated Ultralight Aircraft from Belite: Need to know details

2013-04-08T21:01:00.000-05:00

Ultralight aircraft in metallic burgundy with accent copper

Q: What is a Belite UltraCub^TM?

A: The Belite UltraCub is a predominantly aluminum ultralight airplane manufactured in kit and Ready To Fly form by Belite Aircraft. It is available in several different configurations, with variations of instrumentation, landinggear, assembly materials and engines. All configurations evoke the classic look of a Piper J3 Cub, hence the name, UltraCub. Some of the key characteristics include:

Removable rear turtledeck; the plane may be flown either way.
Legal under FAR 103 (responsibility lies on the owner / operator)
Precision CNC cut aluminum parts in cabin and throughout assembly
Folding wings (must remove turtledeck)
Large wing area and flaperon area designed for low speed flight.
Enormous windshield and sunroof
Multiple storage compartments

UltraCub flies away

Q: What standard features and benefits does the Ready To Fly UltraCub have?

A: All configurations include:

CNC cut aluminum parts throughout the entire airplane. We use a CNC computer automated bed router for sheet metal and a four axis CNC robot for billet aluminum pieces.
Taildragger configuration.
Folding wings. (must remove turtledeck). Easily and quickly fold!
Standard basic instruments: inclinometer, EGT/CHT, airspeed, AGL altimeter.
5” tires and wheels.
Rear turtledeck, fully covered. (Higher end configurations also cover the rear of the fuselage.)
Oracal^TMvinyl covering, with your choice of single color. Very beautiful finishes!
Rear steerable tailwheel with steel tail wheel spring.
Aluminum fuselage – riveted construction utilizing mainly 2024T3 longerons; also 7075 and 6061T6 aluminum in critical areas. Other alloys are also used.
Lightweight 6061T6 aluminum lift struts.
4130 Chromaloy steel landing gear “A” frames
Polycarbonate windshield and sunroof
Enhanced wing area (40” x 144”)
Enhanced flaperons (12” x 120”), reduces stall speed and improves roll control.
Intermixed aileron / flap controls, providing standard stick (aileron) and standard flap (flap handle) control with 3 notches of flaps.
Multiple storage compartments under seat
5 gallon plastic fuel tank.

Q: What does a Ready to Fly UltraCub cost?

A: $15,995 + $2.50/mile delivery charge (one way) to any US destination. This configuration includes a 28HP Hirth 2 stroke engine. Other configurations are also available with 4 stroke engines, carbon fiber options, and additional instrumentation. If you want everything in our option list, the price can hit $40,000. At that price, you should expect, and you will receive, a state of the art ultralight aircraft.

Final approach for UltraCub

Q: What does an UltraCub Kit cost?

A: $8,495 includes the TurtleDeck and everything firewall back except instruments, paint, rivets, glue and the fuel tank. Stiff link main gear are included. Popular options include our spring main gear and our disc brake assemblies. It also doesn’t include a fuel tank, but we buy ours at Walmart for about $12, and you can too.

Q: What type of construction is used in the fuselage?

A: It is straightforward aluminum construction. All of the cabin area and most of the gussets have pre-drilled holes, and the rear fuselage is pre-aligned, mostly pre-drilled and ready for you to start drilling and riveting. All main cabin bulkhead formers and gussets are CNC cut and have many pre-drilled pilot holes as well. The builder has to trim some of the cabin longerons and members, but as these lengths are short, and all formers are square, the resulting assembly process is easy and straightforward. Aluminum may be cut with a carbide blade table saw, or a band saw, or a hack saw.

Cabin Assembly Detail

Q: What type of construction is used in the wings?

A: The wigs are build with aluminum spars and CNC cub Baltic birch ribs. Everything slips together and is locked in place with Gorilla glue. Aluminum ribs are also available, as are carbon fiber spars.

Q: What type of construction is used in the tail feathers?

A: The purchaser may select between aerodynamic horizontal stabilizer/elevator or pre-welded stabilizer/elevator. The pre-welded feathers simply need to be covered. The aerodynamic feathers are easy to build and very straightforward, like a big model airplane wing.

Q: How is the structure covered?

A: We use generic Dacron, glued and shrunk to the underlying wing or fuselage structure, and riveted to the aluminum ribs. We use Stewart Systems glue for most other fabric work, and we use Oracal vinyl (available in about 80 colors) for covering over the shrunk fabric. Kit builders may use whatever system they are comfortable with. We supply 30 yards of Dacron with each kit!

Q: What does an UltraCub weigh?

A: As built by Belite, with a reliable four stroke engine, and as described in this document, it weighs 278 pounds. This is the maximum allowed by FAR Part 103. (Our configuration includes a parachute which is deployed by hand, for which FAR Part 103 provides a 24 pound allowance.) The rear turtledeck is not included in this weighing, as it is removable for flight. (The rear turtledeck weighs about 7 pounds). Much lighter weights are possible by using two stroke engines. We don’t weigh anything required for flight; if assembled like our Sun N Fun demonstrator, the airplane may be flown without the windshield, for instance. We even made our instrument panel easily removable, and James has flown one of the UltraCubs without a main seat – he really did it, just to prove a point.

Landing an UltraCub

Q: I see that your configuration doesn’t include an engine cowl. How could I add one?

A: It is available as an option for $350. We don’t weigh them as they are removable for flight.

Q: What other options are available?

A: There are all kinds of options. Check our price list for full details; we’re even offering amphibious floats. Carbon fiber, wheels, covering completeness, paint on the aluminum, type of engine, type of parachute, instruments… Doors – really well designed doors. Too much to discuss here.

Belite Aircraft are available with emergency parachute.

Q: Are other instruments available?

A: We are happy to install any instrument manufactured by Belite Electronics, including our Multi Function Display, our Turn Coordinators, fuel gauges, etc. We do not install other instruments. We recommend you have other installations (EG, radio) performed by your local instrument shop.

MultiFunction Instrument from Belite Electronics

Q: Does the four stroke engine have electric start?

A: It is available. It adds 10 pounds weight, and will work in high end configurations.

Q: What power does the 1/2VW four stroke engine develop?

A: James likes the 45HP variation with Nickasil cylinders. He runs it with a 58 x 22 propeller, which derates it to about 38HP. That makes it very much in line with the original Kitfox Lite, which had a 2 stroke engine of slightly less horsepower. Fuel consumption hasn’t been nailed down to the last drop, but James is hoping to get it below 1.5 GPH in low cruise.

1/2 VW Engine on Belite UltraCub

Q: Who is the engine vendor?

A: Scott Casler, Hummel Engines is our first choice for 1/2VW aircraft engines. Scott makes a great engine and stands behind his work. www.hummelengines.com

Q: Will other 1/2VW four stroke engines work?

A: Absolutely. We recommend at least 37HP. Great Plains is a good source for plans for a complete kit. See: http://www.greatplainsas.com/schalfvw.html And as of this writing, their 1/2VW kit is under $3400. Furthermore, an online build manual for 1/2VW engines may be found here:

http://www.ultraligero.net/Descargas/Manuales/1_2_VW/manual.pdf

Q: What about the motor mount for a Belite with the half V/W?

A: We designed it, and it is pretty small and sweet. It is welded out of 4130 steel.

Q: What kind of gasoline does the engine use?

A: 91 Octane auto gas. 100LL will also work just fine, but like any other aircraft engine, pay attention to lead fouling in the spark plugs.

Happy Flying from James!

What an ultralight airplane should look like!

2013-04-06T14:54:00.003-05:00

More photos of the Belite Burgundy Ultralight Aircraft, which even as I write this is being loaded on the truck to head to Sun N Fun!:

(more photos can be found here)

Belite Aircraft UltraCub climbs out. Looks like nostalgic Cub. :-)

Belite ultralight airplane: UltraCub passes overhead.

Head on profile of Belite ultralight airplane.

Over the fence in an UltraCub from Belite!

Almost directly overhead in the burgundy Belite.

Taxiing for takeoff.

Belite one pointer landing, PPG in distance.

Short final in a Belite ultracub. Sweet!

Belite UltraCub Detail Photos (AKA Burgundy II)

2013-04-05T11:07:00.003-05:00

Flew the Burgundy UltraCub II for the first time ever, yesterday.

Amazing.

Hit the power, plane got light and started flying too quickly.

Flew it with and without the turtledeck.

Looks just like a little cub.

Weighed it the morning before the flight: 278.8 pounds. The legal max weight is 278.0, but we can remove a little and make it go under. It includes a parachute, so FAR 103 says: 254 + 24 = 278 max weight. Besides, we weighed it on two bathroom scales and mail scale. At least the mail scale is accurate. :-)

This is with the beefy, rumbly, reliable, good sounding, 4 stroke engine.

I have a cruise prop on, which is ridiculous.

Here's the pics:

(There are many more pics from this photo shoot on our flickr account.)

Belite UltraCub looks pretty

Cabin detail on Belite Ultralight Airplane

Belite UltraCub flies over. 4 Stroke 1/2VW engine.

Inside sunroof attach detail.

Landing an ultracub. Turtledeck not yet installed.

Panel view.

Turtledeck on, Belite UltraCub

Sunroof attach detail overhead view

Rudder view

Takeoff!!

Belite Ultralight Airplane Climbing out

I love this plane.

More windshield detail

More Belite Builder Pics

2013-03-19T19:43:00.001-05:00

Here's a really nice Belite project by builder Steve:

He did a perfect job of bending the control box. Our part labels are still on some of the material.

Everything's mated together.

Got the angle right.

Storm's coming -- car had to go back in the garage.

Tail Feather Construction, Part 2

2013-03-18T21:05:00.004-05:00

The construction of the horizontal stabilizer is very similar to the elevator construction, which we just finished in the last post.

Let's get going. The ribs are glued to the main spar using 2216 adhesive; the "X" cross sections are glued to the ribs using high quality wood glue. The front spar (from 1/2" aluminum tubing) has been given a mild bend to match the sweep angle. The middle ribs have been glued together, along with a small wooden spacer.

Gluing up the horizontal stabilizer for a Belite ultralight airplane.

View from the front of the glue up process.

The bushing tubes are glued into the wooden support washers, which in turn are glued to the "X" brace using high quality wood glue. (Some of our early production used a welded bushing tube on the spar; compensate accordingly.)

View of bushing tube with wooden washer on top and bottom of "X" brace.

Wooden washer and bushing near leading edge.

Now glue the leading edge on using 2216 adhesive epoxy.

Gluing on the leading edge.

Detail of leading edge glue process.

Using fiberglass cloth and epoxy, glue the leading and trailing edge in place over the "X" brace.

Fiberglassing the "X" brace in position.

After finishing this step, the strips of wood are glued over the trailing edge, and the wood balsa blocks are trimmed and glued on the ends. Smooth and sand; finish with two coats of varnish to protect the wood.

That's it. You're done.

Construction of Tail Feathers

2013-03-18T10:43:00.000-05:00

Aerodynamic Tail Feather construction for a Belite

We'll cover both pieces of our horizontal tail assembly in this document: the elevator, and the horizontal stabilizer.

Construction of both pieces is very similar. Please refer to the blue prints for layout dimensional information.

Prior to assembly, all wood pieces are sanded and deburred. Steel and aluminum pieces are cleaned. Steel pieces are also painted, except where glue joints will be. (We cover the steel pieces with strategically placed masking tape, then spray paint is applied.)

Let's start with the elevator. We use 3M 2216 glue to attach the wood ribs to the elevator spar. We also glue tail end gussets to the end of each rib using high quality wood glue.

Elevator Assembly already under way.

The trailing edge is fitted into place. It will fit snugly over the wood ribs and gussets. The trailing edge usually has a plastic film both inside and outside; remove the film.

Trailing edge being fitted over elevator.

Still checking fit of trailing edge.

Trailing edge cut to length.

Now it is time to install the four bolts, one on each torque arm.

Bolts added.

Use rivets to hold the trailing edge in place. Rivet washers are also used on the underside.

Trailing edge riveted in place.

The wood strips are prepared by gluing in spacer blocks.

Wood strips and spacer blocks, glued together.

The wood strips are then glued to the wood ribs.

Wood strips glued to wood ribs.

Closeup of clamping detail.

Two pieces of trailing edge material are cut to fit in the center section.

Preparing the center section trailing edge.

More preparation.

Glue the balsa block on each end. Make room for the top of the bolt. Also, unlike shown below, it may be helpful to pretrim the outline of the rib in the balsa.

Balsa block glued.

The center section must also be riveted in.

Riveting in the center section trailing edge.

Adding more paint.

Alternate viewpoint.

End balsa cap, ready to be rough cut to shape and sanded.

Insulating Foam injected around blocks to add stiffness. Trimmed flush after setting.

Center section cleaned up very nicely.

After everything is sanded, apply at least two coats of varnish before covering.

Varnish the wood!

Next, we'll finish up the horizontal stabilizer.

TO BE CONTINUED....

Customer Cabin Pics

2013-03-11T11:15:00.001-05:00

A customer sent me a couple of nice pics of his cabin assembly, in progress.

Belite Ultralite Aircraft Cabin Assembly

Belite Ultralight Plane Cabin Assembly

Floats, Tricycle Gear, Turtledeck, Builder tips

2013-02-27T22:40:00.002-06:00

Something for everyone...

One sneek picture of an amphibious float is somewhere below...

Pics of the Sky Blue plane with a turtledeck on it, builder tips for those builders seeking help, photos of a tricycle gear fuselage under construction, photos of a primed fuselage, carbon fiber spars, all for the ultralight Belite Aircraft.

By the way, my heart goes out to designers of amphibious floats. Hardest design project, ever.

Carbon fiber spar with jury strut fitting. Wrapped with carbon fiber rope and epoxied.

Sky Blue Ultralight Belite with turtledeck.

Another view of the sky blue ultralight Belite Aircraft.

Blurry picture of lift strut fitting, with carbon fiber rope and epoxy.

Messy job on the glue, but aluminum doubler (2.75" OD) over carbon fiber spar. Tripler on inside root.

New design Belite door. Coolest ultralight aircraft door, ever.

CNC cut frame on inside of door frame. Note two pins for locking door closed.

We added corner pocket windows to this Belite. Edge of polycarbonate door panel is visible.

This side of the plane has a polycarbonate window installed. Easily removable 'cuz we used Nutserts.

Swing the door up. Someone really ought to add a gas lift strut.

Door hinge installed on top of door.

Picture of amphibious float. How'd this photo slip in here?

Really bad photo showing one way to overlap fit trailing edge material together.

Another way to fit trailing edge together. Works with wood ribs if you use a left and right gusset.

Tricycle gear airplane under construction.

Finishing tail of tricycle gear airplane.

Underside of rear deck, showing structure.

Gusset detail on tricycle gear airplane.

More gussets.

This gusset is doubled, as gear hinge will be bolted here.

And here as well. Doubled.

Another view of the bottom of the rear deck.

View of the front. Nose gear not yet installed.

Detail of front of fuselage.

Some aluminum primer, some paint. This bird nearly ready to cover.

Retractable Gear Assembly for Amphibious Ultralight Float

2013-02-25T19:01:00.001-06:00

We are in the middle of a blizzard here in Wichita, KS. So we all left work early, and I brought home a prototype wheel assembly for our ultralight amphibious float. It needs a slight bit of tuneup, but I figured you'd like to see the engineering work in process.

Main retractable landing gear for ultralight amphibious float.

Front view of retractable gear assembly.

View of reverse side of retractable landing gear.

The wheel used is a 5"; the brake assembly is an Avid BB5. Assembly is not complete. Weight of the entire subassembly will be about 7.5 pounds per assembly.