Showing posts with label ultralight airplane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ultralight airplane. Show all posts

Saturday, April 20, 2013

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

Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!


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:
Belite Ultralight Aircraft
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.
from Belite Aircraft
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.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

What an ultralight airplane should look like!

Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!


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

Belite passes overhead
Belite ultralight airplane:  UltraCub passes overhead.

Belite head on
Head on profile of Belite ultralight airplane.

short final in an ultracub
Over the fence in an UltraCub from Belite!

almost directly overhead
Almost directly overhead in the burgundy Belite.

taxiing
Taxiing for takeoff.

PPG in distance
Belite one pointer landing, PPG in distance.

short final in an ultracub from Belite
Short final in a Belite ultracub.  Sweet!



Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Floats, Tricycle Gear, Turtledeck, Builder tips

Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!


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.

Detail of front of fuselage.

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

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Belite Aluminum Cabin Construction #10

Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!


Let's put in a map pocket.  This is perfect for sectionals.

Map pocket metal.

Map pocket with bend.

Map pocket riveted in.
Now, let's install the steel cross brace.  It attaches with AN3 bolts to holes formerly occupied by 3/16" rivets.

Steel cross brace on top of cabin.
Steel cross brace at the firewall frame. 
Here's a view from the front with the steel cross brace installed.

Front view with steel cross brace installed.
The small seat is clecoed in place, and the storage compartments are also in view in the following photographs:

Small seat clecoed in place.
Top view of small seat and cabin.
Do not rivet the small seat just yet.

Find the rear fabric skirt metal.  After making a bend along the slots, rivet the rear fabric skirt in place.

Rear Fabric skirt riveted in place.
Ensure that the bellcrank for the elevator is in place.  Note that it floats on a pivot pin, which is also on nylon bearings.

It is now possible to add dacron fabric and paint or fabric and vinyl Oracal of your choice to the rear section.

View of rear of cabin with fabric and oracal in place.
Top down view of rear of cabin.

Another view of rear fabric skirt.

Yet another view of rear fabric skirt.
Install the steel elevator torque tube.

Installation of the steel torque tube.
Now install the landing gear "A" frames and center links.

Use levels and squares to align gear.  You want some camber, about 3 degrees.
Verify level with cabin as well.
Use bushings on bolts to eliminate play and provide perfect gear centering.
Closeup of mounting point, showing multiple bushings.

This is how our plane turned out on the center cross brace attach point.  The spacing will vary by camber and setup.
NOTE:  You must use an extra plate on the front and the rear, as the aluminum DOES NOT have enough strength in tension to absorb a rough landing.  (The bolts will rip out).  Use 7075 aluminum .063 or 4130 steel.

The HDPE liner for the rudder cables is run through the square tubes on each side of the fuselage.

Then use some expanding foam to seal these tubes, trimming the excess.

HDPE rudder cable liner through tube.  Dead center of the photograph.
Now attach the rear fuselage to the cabin.  Two of the longerons must be trimmed to length.  Use a level on the cabin and on the rear fuselage to ensure that they are absolutely parallel.  The attachment at the rear of the cabin is a perfect 90 degree angle.  You may consider using a laser to ensure that the center alignment is perfect as well.

Center the dot.
When all is perfect, 3/16" rivets in place.  
Repeat view from the front.  The alignment is perfect.
Another view of the attachment points.  There are 6 places to rivet down.
A framing square proves it is square.
The rear deck is assembled.

Various gussets.
Rear deck.
Assembled with bottom supports.
Placed in position.
Rear deck riveted in place.

The cabin construction is nearly complete.  The following items still need to be done, and they will be covered in a future post:

A)  Finish riveting in the small seat.
B)  Construct and fit the main seat.
C)  Install the bottom strut attach reinforcement bars.
D)  Attach the seat belts.
E)  Attach the fuel tank.  As we do not supply a fuel tank, an example installation is shown.
F)  Attach the wings.
G)  Attach the top cabin windshield ribs.
H)  Attach the windshield.
I)  (Optional) Construct and fit the control stick skirt plate.
J)  (Optional)  Construct and fit a removable door for the right side of the airplane, for cold weather operations.
K)  (Optional)  Construct and fit a removable plexiglass window for the left side of the airplane, for cold weather operations.
L)  (Optional)  Add small windows to the cabin.

Let's do a photo review of where we are at:

Belite Aluminum Airplane under construction.
Belite Aluminum Airplane under construction.

Front view of aluminum ultralight airplane from Belite.
Rear view of aluminum airplane from Belite.
Rear deck of aluminum airplane from Belite.
View of cabin from Belite Aircraft.
 View of Ultralight airplane from Belite.