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.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
MZ201 Revised Mount
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 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:
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.
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:
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. |
 |
| Using a laser to line the engine mount. |
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| Using a level to find the middle of the thrust line. |
You must click the following link to expand the article:
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Scammed by Microsoft? It feels like it.
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 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:
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.
Fraud: n.
(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.
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
Defraud: tr.v. de·fraud·ed, de·fraud·ing, de·frauds
To defraud; swindle.
To take something from by fraud; swindle:
Fraud: n.
1. A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.
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.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Helicopters at Aero Expo / Friedrichshafen
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!
Some cool helicopter photos which I took at Aero Expo / Friedrichshafen:
Some cool helicopter photos which I took at Aero Expo / Friedrichshafen:
 |
| Konner Gas turbine helicopter. |
See more helicopter pics by clicking through:
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Gust Kiss Land
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.
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| 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 |
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sailplanes at Aero Expo Friedrichshafen
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!
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.)
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.)
Thursday, April 25, 2013
From Aero-Expo in Friedrichshafen, before going to the show
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!
Hi Everyone!
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
11. This offer may be withdrawn or changed at anytime without notice.
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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