SonexBuilders.net

Thanks X3 Skier! I will check it out sometime.

For those of you who checked out the human hamster wheel link above, I had to post this progress. We made a big compass for the router:


Matthew did all the bandsawing, holesawing, and drilling for the base:


Start of the first cut:


Matthew's first router expierience. I started and finished the cut, the rest was pretty captive.


This crazy idea actually worked! No water jet cutting required.

Hamster wheel video:
http://youtu.be/TxTT9ZyTysQ
Very short, for best effect put it on loop playback.
Tried to get him to pull a couple of rivets on the Waiex but no deal.
Edit: he did most of the router cuts, all of the tread cuts with a jigsaw, all of the pilot drilling/screwing down of the treads, and all the mounting of the axles and wheels. I helped locate the axles.

Matthew was in a bit of a project funk after the hamster wheel. Many homebuilders can relate. He has decided to design and build a human powered triplane using real airfoils and building techniques. He has decided his previous project did not fly due to a lack of wing area. I found Clark-Y coordinates on the web and scaled it up to his specifications. We made a thick router template rib and the ribs themselves will be luann ply.


Cutting out blanks:


This is progress. Who knows what this will lead to in 5, 10, or 20 years.

Young Jedi Cotton's latest project.
http://youtu.be/OIMOeBGSx1Y

That's awesome!

That's cool!!


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

Matthew wants to try the hovercraft on the water. We needed flotation. Perfect opportunity to introduce composites!

Forgot the first pic, which has a nice flap reflection in the background.

Matthew and I have been working on another hovercraft for a year or so. It is a Universal Hovercraft UH6F. Another thing I've gotten him into is the local Explorer's post. They are restoring a 1946 Aeronca Chief. Explorers is part of scouting. Here young Jedi Cotton is cutting out side windows for the Chief. I did some bandsaw 101 with the kids and had them cut scrap first.

Bryan,

Someone commented her the other day on possible need for photos of builder actually building the plane. For all we know, only photos you have are of your kids building the plane. Which one is going to apply for the repairman's certificate ? :-)

David A.