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!
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!
"The Standard Pilot Blog"TM The Chipper and Radiant Blog for Experimental and Ultralight (Part 103) Aircraft (c) 2010 thru (c) 2020 by James Wiebe.
Showing posts with label Duct Tape Plane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duct Tape Plane. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
MythBusters Redux for Belite and Duct Tape Plane
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!
The Discovery channel is re-airing the MythBusters Duct Tape Plane episode this Friday, FEBRUARY 1, at 2:00 EST. (Check your local listings!). I am publishing some photos from that amazing experience here, several of which I have never shown before.
It was an unforgettable moment in my life. I enjoyed my time with Grant, Tori and Kari very much -- and also with Eric, Bennie, Duncan and Laura. Gene came and had fun too.
The plane in question ended up on MythBusters traveling tour. It was the same plane that won an award at Sun N Fun earlier in the year. It had started life as a tricycle gear plane and ended as a taildragger covered in duct tape!
The Discovery channel is re-airing the MythBusters Duct Tape Plane episode this Friday, FEBRUARY 1, at 2:00 EST. (Check your local listings!). I am publishing some photos from that amazing experience here, several of which I have never shown before.
It was an unforgettable moment in my life. I enjoyed my time with Grant, Tori and Kari very much -- and also with Eric, Bennie, Duncan and Laura. Gene came and had fun too.
The plane in question ended up on MythBusters traveling tour. It was the same plane that won an award at Sun N Fun earlier in the year. It had started life as a tricycle gear plane and ended as a taildragger covered in duct tape!
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| Overflying MythBusters on downwind |
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| Grant, Gene, James, Kari and Tori with the Duct Tape Plane on MythBusters |
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| Grant explains the success of Duct Tape. |
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| Is Grant doing the Robot?? |
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| Kari and Klaws. Duncan lounges. |
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| Grant and Tori and Duncan. |
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| Kari absorbs sunshine. |
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| Over the MythBusters gang on the closed runway. |
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| The Belite poses for the MythBusters crew. |
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| MythBusters between the struts. |
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| Turning Final for MythBusters. |
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| Laura the director sets the picture. |
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| Turning Base for MythBusters. |
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| A nice shot of the entire runway scene. |
Thursday, March 8, 2012
How to attach an engine to an ultralight airplane
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!
NOTE: This post describes the process
for mounting a Hirth F33 (28HP) engine to a Belite Ultralight aircraft. We
support several different types of engines, all are similar in mounting
techniques. Call us (or the engine
vendor) if you need installation information for any other type of engine.
The F33 is the exact engine that was used on the MythBusters Duct Tape Plane episode, which aired in October of 2011. :-)
It provides awesome performance in our base aircraft. This is due to the many aerodynamic improvements we've made to this airplane and our lightweight construction. It is easily possible to fly a Belite with less than 210 pounds all up weight, including the engine!!
Let's get on with our engine installation...
The F33 is the exact engine that was used on the MythBusters Duct Tape Plane episode, which aired in October of 2011. :-)
It provides awesome performance in our base aircraft. This is due to the many aerodynamic improvements we've made to this airplane and our lightweight construction. It is easily possible to fly a Belite with less than 210 pounds all up weight, including the engine!!
Let's get on with our engine installation...
Section
A. Firewall Assembly
Cut the
firewall to the pattern supplied in our blueprint data. We recommend using either 0.032 or 0.040
aluminum. (If you don’t have the
blueprint PDF for the Firewall – email us!
We will send it to you.)
Fabricate the
firewall from the aluminum sheet using the blueprint PDF template sheet. Cut
the template sheet to size with scissors and then use spray adhesive on the
template sheet to temporarily attach it to the aluminum sheet. Cut the aluminum
with metal snips. Mark the templates' top contour on the sheet metal with a
felt tip pen, but cut the top contour a little long (1/2" or
so) in case your cowling does not fit up exactly as ours did. Any extra
material will get trimmed away during the cowling fit-up sequences to come.
Using a brake,
bend the bottom lip to fit under the fuselage, and drill holes at the engine
mount locations.
Deburr all
edges.
Section B.
Engine Mount Assembly
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| Figure 1 -- Completed F33 Engine Installation in Belite ultralight airplane. |
Sunday, February 12, 2012
MythBusters and Australia
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!
It's time for another MythBusters moment for Belite Aircraft!
Airing in Australia today -- "Duct Tape Plane" featuring Belite Aircraft!
We've developed a great contact in Australia helping us represent our aircraft -- Peter Harlow @ Silverwings Aircraft.
I so enjoyed my time with Kari, Grant and Tory at MythBusters. I thought you'd like a few more MythBusters pics.
Many people don't realize that the airplane I used for this episode had our base 28HP engine. It looks like and performs like it had a lot more HP, but it didn't. Credit our great wing, light design, and awesome 'real' airplane characteristics.
Another thing that is hard to appreciate is just how much time it takes to make good television. This particular episode took the better part of 3 weeks to film. I wasn't even there during the last week of filming.
The attention usually goes to the hosts, but there are lots of folks behind the scenes who make it happen. Each episode needs a producer, a director, at least two cameramen, a soundman, and more. Then there's the outside riff-raff (like me) who help facilitate.
Since I had my experience at MythBusters, they've had quite a bit more fun. And an accident (or two.) The same trio I worked with (Grant, Tory, Kari) where the ones who sent a cannonball very accidently through a house near the Alameda bomb range. Not Jamie or Adam.
Speaking of Jamie & Adam, I never had the pleasure of meeting them. We were given a very nice tour through their facility before they showed up. I suspect they are slightly tired of the fan attention.
My shop manager, Gene, was able to join me at MythBusters as well. He helped ensure that everything was put together correctly, and got to help and observe in several different ways. I couldn't do Belite without Gene, and I appreciate him deeply.
Here's Gene, sitting in the airplane. The plane appears to be missing its wings in this shot:
One reason our plane has been so successful is because the wings fold easily. When Kari found out how easily the wings folded, she started dancing spontaneously, while Grant, Tory (and producer Eric Haven) looked on:
I hope you enjoy the episode, "Duct Tape Plane", on MythBusters.
It's time for another MythBusters moment for Belite Aircraft!
Airing in Australia today -- "Duct Tape Plane" featuring Belite Aircraft!
We've developed a great contact in Australia helping us represent our aircraft -- Peter Harlow @ Silverwings Aircraft.
I so enjoyed my time with Kari, Grant and Tory at MythBusters. I thought you'd like a few more MythBusters pics.
Many people don't realize that the airplane I used for this episode had our base 28HP engine. It looks like and performs like it had a lot more HP, but it didn't. Credit our great wing, light design, and awesome 'real' airplane characteristics.
 | |
| Belite's Ultralight Aircraft at MythBusters. |
Another thing that is hard to appreciate is just how much time it takes to make good television. This particular episode took the better part of 3 weeks to film. I wasn't even there during the last week of filming.
 | |||
| Grant, Kari and Tory work on the Belite ultralight aircraft, after some duct tape has been applied. |
The attention usually goes to the hosts, but there are lots of folks behind the scenes who make it happen. Each episode needs a producer, a director, at least two cameramen, a soundman, and more. Then there's the outside riff-raff (like me) who help facilitate.
 |
| The first camerman sprints away from Tory and Grant |
Speaking of Jamie & Adam, I never had the pleasure of meeting them. We were given a very nice tour through their facility before they showed up. I suspect they are slightly tired of the fan attention.
My shop manager, Gene, was able to join me at MythBusters as well. He helped ensure that everything was put together correctly, and got to help and observe in several different ways. I couldn't do Belite without Gene, and I appreciate him deeply.
Here's Gene, sitting in the airplane. The plane appears to be missing its wings in this shot:
 | ||
| Gene in a Belite Ultralight Aircraft at MythBusters |
One reason our plane has been so successful is because the wings fold easily. When Kari found out how easily the wings folded, she started dancing spontaneously, while Grant, Tory (and producer Eric Haven) looked on:
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| Kari Byron dances by Belite Ultralight Airplane |
I hope you enjoy the episode, "Duct Tape Plane", on MythBusters.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Mythbuster Duct Tape Airplane production photos
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!
It's time to reveal lots of production shots from Mythbusters and the Duct Tape Airplane, which is an ultralight aircraft from Belite Aircraft!
Reminder: All photos on this website are (C) 2011 James Wiebe. If you are interested in high resolution photos for publication, contact James. Do not copy my pictures!
The show aired last night. Viewers responded by looking us up on the web and it crashed our website! Now it's back up.
You can follow james on twitter: @jamespwiebe
Also, please sign up for our airplane and product updates by clicking here.
And our website is here.
Now, the definitive collection of pictures from the production of "Duct Tape Airplane" on Mythbusters, using a Belite Ultralight Aircraft:
It's time to reveal lots of production shots from Mythbusters and the Duct Tape Airplane, which is an ultralight aircraft from Belite Aircraft!
Reminder: All photos on this website are (C) 2011 James Wiebe. If you are interested in high resolution photos for publication, contact James. Do not copy my pictures!
The show aired last night. Viewers responded by looking us up on the web and it crashed our website! Now it's back up.
You can follow james on twitter: @jamespwiebe
Also, please sign up for our airplane and product updates by clicking here.
And our website is here.
Now, the definitive collection of pictures from the production of "Duct Tape Airplane" on Mythbusters, using a Belite Ultralight Aircraft:
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| Kari, Tory and Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Duncan and Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Duncan and Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Eric is Grizzly |
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| Overflying Mythbuster crew in a Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Gene, James, Kari, Tory, Grant and Duct Tape Aircraft (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| Grant and Tory work on Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Grant confirms myth on Duct Tape Airplane (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| James and Jennifer in map room at Mythbusters |
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| Kari Byron and Be |
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| Kari Byron dancing with Belite Ultralight Aircraft in background |
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| Kari, Grant, Tory and Duct Tape Airplane (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| Kari Byron with sweet smile |
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| Fuel, Kari Byron and Duct Tape Airplane (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| Lauren (Director) with Mythbuster Trio and Benny (1st Camera) |
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| Kari Byron with Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Kari Byron, Grant and Tori and Duct Tape Airplane (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| Overflying the Mythbuster production group at New Jerusalem Airport in Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Another shot of the Mythbuster crew on the ground |
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| Kari Byron enjoys the sunshine, Duct Tape Airplane and Grant |
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| Tory: Why so concerned? |
Monday, October 17, 2011
Mythbusters Duct Tape Airplane: 2 days to go
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!
Avweb wrote something about it.
Kitplanes did as well.
So did the High Altitude Flying Club.
And here is one picture, from the set, as Kari, Grant, Tory assemble the Belite Ultralight Aircraft with some duct tape:
Much more, very soon.
Avweb wrote something about it.
Kitplanes did as well.
So did the High Altitude Flying Club.
And here is one picture, from the set, as Kari, Grant, Tory assemble the Belite Ultralight Aircraft with some duct tape:
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| Grant, Tory and Kari with Belite Ultralight Aircraft and duct tape |
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Mythbuster Posts Cool Belite / Duct Tape Airplane Video
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!
You can see brand new video of James Wiebe and the Belite "Duct Tape Airplane"
here:
(http://dsc.discovery.com/
Look carefully, and you can see what the airplane looked like when they truly finished covering it.
From the Mythbuster website:
I will have many new high resolution pictures of the entire duct tape airplane production, including great closeups of the MythBuster trio. I will post them on October 20.
You can see brand new video of James Wiebe and the Belite "Duct Tape Airplane"
here:
(http://dsc.discovery.com/
Look carefully, and you can see what the airplane looked like when they truly finished covering it.
From the Mythbuster website:
I will have many new high resolution pictures of the entire duct tape airplane production, including great closeups of the MythBuster trio. I will post them on October 20.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Duct Tape Airplane on Mythbusters
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!
Exactly two weeks to go.
Discovery Channel put out a press release on their upcoming myths. It's been reprinted in a few places around the web, for instance, on Entertainment Weekly and on Monsters and Critics (dot com):
In the press release, Discovery Channel talked about a whole bunch of myths, but they said this about the one myth that Belite helped with:
"Can you use duct tape to fix a plane that has been mauled by a bear? (As odd as this one sounds, it’s a story that has inundated our fan site message boards for years!)"
It's gonna be big. BIG.
Exactly two weeks to go.
Discovery Channel put out a press release on their upcoming myths. It's been reprinted in a few places around the web, for instance, on Entertainment Weekly and on Monsters and Critics (dot com):
In the press release, Discovery Channel talked about a whole bunch of myths, but they said this about the one myth that Belite helped with:
"Can you use duct tape to fix a plane that has been mauled by a bear? (As odd as this one sounds, it’s a story that has inundated our fan site message boards for years!)"
It's gonna be big. BIG.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Photoshop, Mythbusters, Belite, Bears, Kari and Duct Tape
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!
My friends at Mythbusters production company kept telling me that I would probably have four weeks warning before the big episode aired. I actually got two weeks and one day, and the notice didn't come from them, it came from someone who read the Mythbuster's website and inquired if the episode in question involved us.
Uh, yes! it does!
Here's a link to a video which the MB gang talks about the myth, tested with a Belite aircraft.
And here's a link to the Discovery / Mythbuster programming schedule which discloses our upcoming episode.
Quoting the Discovery channel / Mythbuster schedule:
"Adam and Jamie test three viral videos featuring the extraordinary excavator: Can it really row a barge? Be used to go wakeboarding? Perform seemingly impossible feats of acrobatics? Then -- using only duct tape -- Kari, Grant, and Tory attempt to patch up a plane that's had an unfortunate encounter with a bear."
And now, I confess to some photoshop sleight of hand.
Check out these two photos, one of which I previously posted, and tell me what the difference is:
The first photo was on my website. The second photo is the original; I edited it to avoid letting the cat out of the bag too early (that our myth involved duct tape.)
Nashua 357 duct tape. Accept no substitute!
I have many more photos which I will be posting after the episode airs on the 19th of October. Including photos of Kari acting very beary.
My friends at Mythbusters production company kept telling me that I would probably have four weeks warning before the big episode aired. I actually got two weeks and one day, and the notice didn't come from them, it came from someone who read the Mythbuster's website and inquired if the episode in question involved us.
Uh, yes! it does!
Here's a link to a video which the MB gang talks about the myth, tested with a Belite aircraft.
And here's a link to the Discovery / Mythbuster programming schedule which discloses our upcoming episode.
Quoting the Discovery channel / Mythbuster schedule:
"Adam and Jamie test three viral videos featuring the extraordinary excavator: Can it really row a barge? Be used to go wakeboarding? Perform seemingly impossible feats of acrobatics? Then -- using only duct tape -- Kari, Grant, and Tory attempt to patch up a plane that's had an unfortunate encounter with a bear."
And now, I confess to some photoshop sleight of hand.
Check out these two photos, one of which I previously posted, and tell me what the difference is:
 |
| Grant, James, Kari, Tory, Jennifer |
 |
| Grant, James, Kari, Tory, Jennifer, and something else |
Nashua 357 duct tape. Accept no substitute!
I have many more photos which I will be posting after the episode airs on the 19th of October. Including photos of Kari acting very beary.
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