Belite Ultralight Blog

FOR SALE: 58 x 24 Wooden Propeller

2013-06-07T13:06:00.000-05:00

This particular propeller looks absolutely brand new.

1) There is no warranty or statement of fitness for any application for this propeller. It is AS IS. I have provided as many photos as possible to show the condition of the item.
2) Ensure that the direction of rotation is compatible with your application by examining the pictures closely.
3) We only accept payment by PayPal.
4) We only ship to addresses served by UPS ground.
5) There is a crating charge of $10 for each propeller. The propeller will come in a solid tube or box. All adjustable pitch propellers will be disassembled for shipping.
6) Please contact us before the auction closes so that you can get a UPS shipping quote.
7) Please pay within 24 hours of auction close.
8) This item is offered without reserve.
9) James is on vacation between June 10th - 14th, so we may not be able to answer specific questions.
10) The propellers will NOT SHIP until Wednesday, June 19.

58 x 24 propeller
Opening bid: $25
Reserve: NONE
Buy it now: $299 (WILL NOT SHIP UNTIL JUNE 19).
Crate Charge: $10
UPS Charge: TBD, inquire

58 x 24 propeller

FOR SALE: 60 x 27 wooden propeller

2013-06-07T12:57:00.000-05:00

Another propeller emerges from the dust bin of Belite belongings...

1) There is no warranty or statement of fitness for any application for this propeller. It is AS IS. I have provided as many photos as possible to show the condition of the item.
2) Ensure that the direction of rotation is compatible with your application by examining the pictures closely.
3) We only accept payment by PayPal.
4) We only ship to addresses served by UPS ground.
5) There is a crating charge of $10 for each propeller. The propeller will come in a solid tube or box. All adjustable pitch propellers will be disassembled for shipping.
6) Please contact us before the auction closes so that you can get a UPS shipping quote.
7) Please pay within 24 hours of auction close.
8) This item is offered without reserve.
9) James is on vacation between June 10th - 14th, so we may not be able to answer specific questions.
10) The propellers will NOT SHIP until Wednesday, June 19.

60x27 wooden propeller
Opening bid: $25
Reserve: NONE
Buy it now: $249 (WILL NOT SHIP UNTIL JUNE 19).
Crate Charge: $10
UPS Charge: TBD, inquire

60 x 27 wooden propeller

FOR SALE: HUGE ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS

2013-06-06T15:37:00.000-05:00

This group of 4 HUGE ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS is offered as one lot, for sale, no reserve. They are 250V / 10000 uF, and they are gathering dust and mocking me for having been so foolish as to purchase them about 3 years ago.

I'll bet there is a HAM radio operator out there somewhere who wants them.

1) There is no warranty or statement of fitness for any application for these capacitors. They are AS IS.
2) We only accept payment by PayPal.
3) We only ship to addresses served by UPS ground.
4) No crating / boxing charge, just shipping charge.
5) Please contact us before the auction closes so that you can get a UPS shipping quote.
6) Please pay within 24 hours of auction close.
7) This item is offered without reserve.
8) James is on vacation between June 10th - 14th, so we may not be able to answer specific questions.
10) This item will not ship until Wednesday, June 19.
11) Your winning bid gets all 4 capacitors.

HUGE ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS, 250V / 10000 uF
Opening bid: $1
Reserve: NONE
Buy it now: Not Available on this item (WILL NOT SHIP UNTIL JUNE 19).
Crate Charge: NONE
UPS Charge: TBD, inquire

Huge Electrolytic Capacitors, 250V 10000 uF

FOR SALE: 60 x 42 Wooden Propeller

2013-06-06T15:21:00.000-05:00

1) There is no warranty or statement of fitness for any application for this propeller. It is AS IS. I have provided as many photos as possible to show the condition of the item.
2) Ensure that the direction of rotation is compatible with your application by examining the pictures closely.
3) We only accept payment by PayPal.
4) We only ship to addresses served by UPS ground.
5) There is a crating charge of $10 for each propeller. The propeller will come in a solid tube or box. All adjustable pitch propellers will be disassembled for shipping.
6) Please contact us before the auction closes so that you can get a UPS shipping quote.
7) Please pay within 24 hours of auction close.
8) This item is offered without reserve.
9) James is on vacation between June 10th - 14th, so we may not be able to answer specific questions.
10) The propellers will NOT SHIP until Wednesday, June 19.

60" 2 Blade Wooden Propeller, left turn from cockpit
Opening bid: $25
Reserve: NONE
Buy it now: $399 (WILL NOT SHIP UNTIL JUNE 19).
Crate Charge: $10
UPS Charge: TBD, inquire

60x42 wooden propeller

60x42 wooden propeller, hub

60x42 propeller, tip

60x42 propeller, hub

60x42 propeller, tip

FOR SALE: RAKET carting engine, New In Box

2013-06-06T15:07:00.002-05:00

I dug up another engine, brand new, that I will never use. So you are welcome to buy it on eBay!

It is a RAKET carting engine, imported from Europe somewhere.

It is setup for a propeller, and includes a redrive. I believe this engine develops 13 HP, so it would be awesome for a nice cart or for a very, very, very light ultralight airplane.

I have never started it, and it is offered on eBay without reserve.

Sure looks like a nice little engine... too small of an engine for a Belite, that's for sure.

Our Terms and Conditions are:

1) Offered NEW IN BOX, "As Is", believed to be in excellent condition, but without warranty.
2) Price includes packing in the original cardboard box, but DOES NOT INCLUDE shipping expense. Check with Kathy for UPS quotation to your location. Check early!!!! in the bidding process.
3) NO RESERVE. :-)
4) If you are the winning bidder, you must pay within 24 hours of auction close.5) Payment is by Paypal only.

RAKET ENGINE, New In Box
Opening bid: $25
Reserve: NONE
Buy it now: $799 (WILL NOT SHIP UNTIL JUNE 19).
Crate Charge: NONE
UPS Charge: TBD, inquire

Raket Engine

Raket Engine redrive

Raket Engine muffler

Raket engine accessories

Raket Engine belt

Raket Engine

Raket Engine carb view

Raket engine flywheel

FOR SALE: 70" Powerfin 3 Blade Composite Ground adjustable propeller, like new

2013-06-06T14:45:00.001-05:00

This propeller is extraordinary. 70", 3 blade, ground adjustable. Turns left as viewed from cockpit. Condition is LIKE NEW.

1) There is no warranty or statement of fitness for any application for this propeller. It is AS IS. I have provided as many photos as possible to show the condition of the item.
2) Ensure that the direction of rotation is compatible with your application by examining the pictures closely.
3) We only accept payment by PayPal.
4) We only ship to addresses served by UPS ground.
5) There is a crating charge of $10 for each propeller. The propeller will come in a solid tube or box. All adjustable pitch propellers will be disassembled for shipping.
6) Please contact us before the auction closes so that you can get a UPS shipping quote.
7) Please pay within 24 hours of auction close.
8) This item is offered without reserve.
9) James is on vacation between June 10th - 14th, so we may not be able to answer specific questions.
10) The propellers will NOT SHIP until Wednesday, June 19.

70" 3 Blade Composite Ground Adjustable Propeller, Like New
Opening bid: $25
Reserve: NONE
Buy it now: $799 (WILL NOT SHIP UNTIL JUNE 19).
Crate Charge: $10
UPS Charge: TBD, inquire

70" 3 blade Powerfin composite propeller. Like new.

70" 3 blade composite Powerfin propeller.

tip of 70" powerfin prop.

tip of 70" composite prop. I can see myself.

Tip of prop.

Hub assembly of 70" 3 blade composite propeller.

FOR SALE: Many, Many, Propellers for Sale, starting with 60X36

2013-06-06T14:31:00.000-05:00

The spring sale continues at Belite.... I went through my propeller collection and culled out all of the props I won't be needing. This is quite an amazing collection of propellers. They are all in good to excellent condition, some are even brand new.

1. 60x36 left rotation as viewed from pilot (VW rotation, for instance)
2. 60x42 left rotation as viewed from pilot
3. 60x40 right rotation as viewed from pilot (F23 rotation with redrive and most redrives, for instance)
4. 60x27 right rotation as viewed from pilot
5. 58x24 right rotation as viewed from pilot
6. 58" ground adjustable wooden propeller with aluminum spinner
7. 65" ground adjustable, composite, Powerfin, two blade, right rotation
8. 42" ground adjustable, composite, Powerfin, two blade, right rotation
9. 70" ground adjustable, composite, Powerfin, three blade, left rotation

As each one is unique, I have decided to list them all at the same time, so this is an excellent time for you to buy that propeller for your project. There won't be any more propellers in our spring cleaning ebay listings, so this is fair warning.

Many of these propellers will be listed on eBay over the next 48 hours.

Here's our eBay terms & conditions for the propellers:

1) There is no warranty or statement of fitness for any application for this propeller. It is AS IS. I have provided as many photos as possible to show the condition of the item.
2) Ensure that the direction of rotation is compatible with your application by examining the pictures closely.
3) We only accept payment by PayPal.
4) We only ship to addresses served by UPS ground.
5) There is a crating charge of $10 for each propeller. The propeller will come in a solid tube or box. All adjustable pitch propellers will be disassembled for shipping.
6) Please contact us before the auction closes so that you can get a UPS shipping quote.
7) Please pay within 24 hours of auction close.
8) This item is offered without reserve.
9) James is on vacation between June 10th - 14th, so we may not be able to answer specific questions.
10) The propellers will NOT SHIP until Wednesday, June 19.

60x36 propeller
Opening bid: $25
Reserve: NONE
Buy it now: $299 (WILL NOT SHIP UNTIL JUNE 19).
Crate Charge: $10
UPS Charge: TBD, inquire

60x36 Propeller, note direction of rotation.

60x36 propeller hub, front side.

60x36 propeller hub, side of hub.

60x36 propeller, tip, note protective leading edge vinyl

60x36 propeller, other tip

60x36 propeller, leading edge protective tape

Hirth 2702 offered for sale, NO RESERVE

2013-05-31T14:10:00.001-05:00

This engine is a real jewel from our spring cleaning sale.

The ebay link is here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hirth-2702-engine-NO-RESERVE-/300914763577?pt=Motors_Aviation_Parts_Gear&hash=item460feae739&vxp=mtr

If the link doesn't work, search for "belite aircraft" on ebay.

Offered without reserve, this Hirth 2702 motor is about 13 years old. Documentation is included, and total time on the engine is believed to be 280 hours.

We repaired the redrive and replaced the starter motor with a new one. We haven't fired this engine up, but believe it to be in excellent condition. The redrive had some broken bolts which we fixed.

It would be ideal for our Belite aircraft (although you'd have to pay spectacular attention to weight) and it would also be ideal for many other ultralights as well.

The photos show it very well. It is a beautiful engine. Also included is a very partial motor mount with bushings.

Our terms and conditions are:

1) Offered "As Is", believed to be in good condition.
2) PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE crating & shipping. Check with Kathy for creighting and UPS freight quotation to your location. Check early!!!! in the bidding process.
3) NO RESERVE. :-)
4) If you are the winning bidder, you must pay within 24 hours of auction close.
5) Your destination must be served by UPS.
6) You MUST, MUST, MUST pay by PayPal. Do not bid if you don't have PayPal.
7) By entering a bid, you are entering into a legal binding contract to purchase the item. Please do not bid if you are unable to comply with the terms of the sale and eBay policies, or are unsure/unable to pay, or have no intention to purchase the item. People who do that kind of stuff *really* irritate us.

Hirth 2702 engine for sale

Hirth 2702 engine for sale, note dual ignition

Hirth 2702 engine for sale. Documentation included.

Hirth 2702 carburetor.

Hirth 2702 engine for sale. Muffler.

Hirth 2702 engine for sale. Partial motor mount.

Simonini Engine for sale -- NO RESERVE

2013-05-31T13:53:00.001-05:00

Our spring cleaning ebay sale continues at Belite Aircraft.

This beautiful little Simonini engine would be perfect for the parachute guys or very light ultralight aircraft!

It was used for a few hours, then hidden away for several years.

I don't know what model it is. That makes it even more interesting, right?

ebay link is here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Simonini-Engine-NO-RESERVE-/300914770024?pt=Motors_Aviation_Parts_Gear&hash=item460feb0068&vxp=mtr

It looks to be in excellent condition, but is offered without warranty or representation.

Our Terms and Conditions are:

1) Offered "As Is", believed to be in good condition.
2) Price includes packing in a big cardboard box, but DOES NOT INCLUDE shipping expense. Check with Kathy for UPS quotation to your location. Check early!!!! in the bidding process.
3) NO RESERVE. :-)
4) If you are the winning bidder, you must pay within 24 hours of auction close.
5) Your destination must be served by UPS.
6) You MUST, MUST, MUST pay by PayPal. Do not bid if you don't have PayPal.
7) By entering a bid, you are entering into a legal binding contract to purchase the item. Please do not bid if you are unable to comply with the terms of the sale and eBay policies, or are unsure/unable to pay, or have no intention to purchase the item. People who do that kind of stuff *really* irritate us.

Simonini Engine for sale

NO LONGER AVAILABLE ---- Gyrocopter Blades for sale, NO RESERVE

2013-05-31T13:35:00.001-05:00

NO LONGER AVAILABLE: Gyrocopter blades

It's time for another round of SPRING CLEANING at the Belite Aircraft shop.

I wandered around and found several goodies which are gathering dust. I'm putting every one of our goodies up for sale on eBay, as we have done in the past.

Today we are featuring GYROCOPTER BLADES --- really! Purchased from Vortech probably 4 years ago, these beauties are extruded aluminum, dimensions are 6" x 10', and are offered absolutely without warranty or guarantee of fitness for any application.

ebay link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gyrocopter-Blades-NO-RESERVE-/300914775743?pt=Motors_Aviation_Parts_Gear&hash=item460feb16bf&vxp=mtr

I believe they are a flat, Clark Y type airfoil. They do not have a symmetrical airfoil.

Terms and Conditions are:

1) Offered "As Is", believed to be new, undamaged, but without warranty or representation of any kind.
2) Price includes crating, but DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING. Check with Kathy for truck freight quotation to your location. Check early!!!! in the bidding process.
3) NO RESERVE. :-)
4) If you are the winning bidder, you must pay within 24 hours of auction close.
5) Your destination must be served by truck freight.
6) You MUST, MUST, MUST pay by PayPal. Do not bid if you don't have PayPal.
7) By entering a bid, you are entering into a legal binding contract to purchase the item. Please do not bid if you
are unable to comply with the terms of the sale and eBay policies, or are unsure/unable to pay, or have no intention to purchase the item. People who do that kind of stuff *really* irritate us.

New, In the crate, ready to ship:

Gyrocopter blades for sale!

The Forensic side of my life

2013-05-28T15:23:00.003-05:00

Many of my faithful readers and customers know that I support myself as a computer forensic expert.

You can read an article I wrote here:

http://www.dfinews.com/articles/2013/05/forensic-insight-solid-state-drives#.UaURkLWbPKA

I'm very pleased; this is the first professional article I've written for the computer forensic professional.

I have spoken professionally on Computer Forensics many, many times, for instance, next week at Techno Security in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Dan Johnson interviews me on the Belite UltraCub

2013-05-28T15:10:00.002-05:00

Great, great video on my airplane:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5LG1aMy3RgA

Thanks to Dan Johnson and Dave Loveman.

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!)