Another exciting event. AirVenture
is the largest amateur built aircraft convention in the
world.
This year, I camped with some friends from the local RAA
chapter. Here is a picture of me (the yellow shirt) with my friends
Ghyslain, Stéphane and Gaetan (from left to right). Ghyslain is
building a CH-801
while the two others are building Murphy
Elite aircrafts. We used two tents and that mobile home (OK... a modest
home, but much more comfortable than the little tent I used).
This year, there a not so many new things on the market.
Essentially, what was announced to come soon last year, is still announced to
come soon. This is true especially for the MicroAir radio and
transponder that I want to acquire. It is also true for the competing
Becker Avionics transponder which should be available this fall.
One toy that got my attention is the DigiFly, a glass cockpit
device which replace all flight instruments and can also replace engine
instruments. It includes a three axis magnenometer to sense the attitude
and direction of the aircraft. That unit will eventually sell for
$4200. From what I see, I think that glass cockpits will become the norm
in a few years from now (much faster than I would have imagined only two years
ago).
I saw several Zenair planes this year:
The following one belongs to Dennis Carley. He has
done a fabulous job of putting the radiator inside the cowling (with a Rotax
912 engine). This plane is featured on my "Other Projects"
page.
Other planes that got my attention:
A Bush Caddy, 4-place aircraft kitplane produced in Canada
I wonder if this one meets my "economy" criterion
Some construction tips I observed:
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Attaching brake line to landing gear. |
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Nice wire routing in a GlasStar. |
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Fuse bloc in center console (Fascination aircraft). |
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Baggage door hinge on a Bush Caddy. |
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All instruments with Grand Rapid's EIS in a Sonex.
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Other things to do at Oshkosh:
Try Scuba... if you like it, you may not want to fly again!
For the very small ones... they can fly their own plane!
