Category: Aviation

Articles related to aviation

PPC Assembly Day 3

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Building, Six Chuter P32 Comments

One thing you’ll find as you follow the progress of this build is that things go slowly.  After all, there’s no rush.  Getting there is half the fun.

While I’m waiting for my fuel pump to show up I went ahead an drilled the holes for the regulator.

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I don’t have the bolts for that yet so I set it aside and decided to mount the throttle quadrant.  I did find one problem with the throttle in that the seat interferes with the throttle travel.  I’m going to have to trim the throttle handle just a bit.

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Tomorrow, the battery box.

UPDATE:  Tom Connelly, factory manager for Six Chuter suggested I just bend the throttle arm just above the choke control (that lower lever).  I bent it as suggested and the throttle clears the seat with no issues.  The choke lever also moves freely.  Problem solved!

PPC Assembly Day 2

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Building, Six Chuter P3Leave a comment

Only had time to measure out some holes for accessories that go on the engine mount plate.  I didn’t get too far.  Some of the holes are for the regulator, I found that and was using that as a sanity check for the holes I marked.  I also needed to fuel pump to check the hole layout for that.  But sadly I couldn’t find the fuel pump.  I sent an email to Six Chuter to see if they packed it or if it comes from the engine manufacturer.  And that was about it for today.

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PPC Assembly Day 1

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Building, Six Chuter P3Leave a comment

The only progress today was to move the PPC from the trailer to the garage.  Whew!  That was hard work.  I’ll rest up tonight to start in earnest tomorrow.  Tomorrow’s mission, mount the engine.  Oh, and read the manual between now and then.  Again.

ppc-garage

Picking Up The PPC

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Building, Six Chuter P3Leave a comment

I just returned from a 1674 mile round trip to pick up my PPC (powered parachute) in Wenatchee, WA.  They had the airframe done and the trailer ready (or so I thought, more on that later.)  The trip was ultimately an beautiful and as it would turn out, adventurous drive.  I’m not eager to repeat it but one day when I have more time and my love is with me, it would be a great trip.

I began my trip first thing on Thursday morning.  My first day’s travels would take me from Modesto, CA up to Redmon, OR.  This was a pretty unremarkable drive.  I just kicked back, turned on the cruise control and enjoyed the sites.

About 9 hours later I arrived at an unremarkable Motel 6 in Redmond, OR.  I was pretty beat so I didn’t do much other than take a shower, order a pizza, and veg for the rest of the night.  Didn’t get much sleep.  I don’t normally get much sleep when I stay in a motel.  Pretty noisy.

Friday morning I jumped into the truck and started the drive up to Wenatchee, WA.  Lots of interesting sites along the way.

One of the more interesting sites along the way was a scale model of Stonehenge built to honor veterans of WWI.

I finally pulled into  Wenatchee around 2:30pm in the afternoon.  I got directions from Jacky of Six Chuter on how to find them and pulled in front of their hangar.  I finally made it!  Brief introductions were made as Jacky introduced herself, her dogs, and finally Tom, who basically does… whatever needs doing.  They showed me the rolling airframe,

They got the airframe and boxes of assorted goodies loaded up into the trailer and tied down for me.  All set!  Or so I thought.  Later in the day I was bored so I went back up to the airport.  Tom and Jacky had both left already.  I decided to practice hitching up the trailer and making sure the lights and brakes worked.  I hitched up, connected the 6 way plug (uh-oh) using the adapter they gave me.  Lights – check!  Now to raise the landing gear and check the brakes.  I started the truck and let it idle forward.  I moved the manual brake lever on my brake controller and… nothing.  Kept rolling.  Uh oh.

My brake controller was showing an error code; sb.  It looked like the number 56 but eventually I found out it meant battery short.  I did some research and found the number one cause was water in the connector.  I blew into the connector and sure enough water came out.  I finally got all the water out and connected it again.  No error code!  Good!  I checked the brakes again and… no brakes!  Bad!  I suspected my brake controller so I bought a new one at O’Reilly and wired it in.  Another brake test… nothing.

Dang.  I decided to give up for the night and sleep on it.

I drove up to the airport the next day and continued trying to figure out the problem.  Tom showed up shortly after and I explained my problem to him.  Tom was very apologetic and tried to help me test out the plug to the trailer all to no avail.  Tom drove me into town to find an RV repair place.  He knew about where it was but couldn’t remember the name so we just went out looking for it… and found it.    A guy named Buddy seemed to be in charge and told us that the sooner we got the trailer to him the sooner he’d know if he could fix it or not.

Tom and I hightailed it up to the airport and hooked the trailer up to my truck.  Tom told me to send him the bill and he would make it right.  I can’t express how helpful and gracious Tom was.

I got the trailer back down to A’s RV Repair and Buddy dug in with some testers and confirmed the brakes were not working.  He tore into the 6 way plug and found most of the wires had rusted out.  Only two wires were still intact.  “Just like I thought” he said.  He got a brand new 7 way plug and wired it up.  After a few tests he confirmed the brakes and lights were working and then even set up the gain (how much braking power is applied) on my brake controller.  All in all it took 30 minutes and cost just shy of $150.

If you are ever in East Wenatchee, WA and need some RV repairs, I cannot recommend A’s RV Repair highly enough!  Friendly, helpful, and fast!

The drive home was slightly less eventful thank goodness.  I took basically the same route back home.  Just followed US 97 south all the way to I-5.  Here are a few pictures from the trip.

After another overnight in Redmond and a 5 hour drive south I finally got home.  Now let the fun and games begin!

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Airframe Done

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Building, Six Chuter P3Leave a comment

When I purchased my powered parachute it was purchased as a rolling airframe, meaning, it was completely assembled and on wheels except for the engine and instruments.  When I ordered it I asked for a few changes like thicker (turf) tires, and a front wheel brake.  Well the factory is finally done with the additions I asked for and it is ready for pickup.  Here are a few pictures that were posted in the company’s Facebook group…

I’ll be driving up to the factory to pick it up at the end of the month.  Stay tuned for more photos and the completion log.

 

Blue Skies and Light Winds

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Faith, Opinion1 Comment

This is not the post I wanted to write today.  I lost a very good friend today.  Leon was a huge part of our airport community and a very dear friend.  He always had a way of looking for the positives in a negative situation.  He has helped or offered to help me numerous times and was always there at the airport to talk to about my flying, life, and above all, Christ.

Leon was out flying his Challenger II airplane this morning when he collided with his own pickup truck upon landing and, tragically, died.  I would like to say that he died doing what he loved, but that would be overly trite and cliche.  What I will say instead is that he lived a full life.  A life of adventure and love and fellowship.  I take great comfort knowing that he is now more alive than he has ever been.

Our loss is Christ’s gain.  Blue skies, Leon.

PCC vs PPG What’s The Difference?

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Six Chuter P3Leave a comment

I’ve had a couple people ask me what’s the difference between what I’m flying now (PPG) and the new flying machine (PPC).  The major difference is the type of parachute used.  The powered parachute (PPC) has larger air inlets and has a shorter wing span.  The parachute is more square.   The trike that you ride in is also heavier.  The powered paraglider (PPG) has a longer, more elliptical shaped wing.  The trike is much lighter.  So why would I want something with a smaller wing and heavier?  The short answer is stability.  The heavier weight and stockier wing give the craft more stability in the air.  It is also less maneuverable but I’m okay with that.   The other features of the PPC that I am looking forward to is being able to steer with my feet rather than my hands.  Steering with rudders is something pilots are more used to.  And one of the features I’ll really like is the throttle; on a PPC it is a standard aircraft throttle.  On the PPG it is a hand throttle that must be held closed for the duration of your flight.  The PPC you just move the throttle to the desired position and leave it there.  This leaves your hands completely free.

Here’s a video of the exact model of PPC that I have purchased.

Six Chuter P3 Lite

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Six Chuter P3Leave a comment

I had a chance to drive up to Lincoln Airport today to take a look at a powered parachute being put together.  It’s called a P3 Light by Six Chuter.  I took a close look, sat in it, and took lots of pictures.  The flying characteristics are a lot more stable and more docile.  I think at this stage in life I’m looking for a little more stable and docile.  I spoke to the owner of the P3.  He told me he used to fly PPG and there was no comparisson on how much more stable a PPC is compared to a PPG.  I think for my type of flying, low and slow, lazy cross-country flying, the PPC will be a better choice for me.

He also gave me some good ideas for equipping my P3; bigger tires, hydraulic brake, bigger front tire, heavier fork, quick release on the top section of the prop cage.  So, armed with this list I’ll be calling the factory on Monday to place my order.

Here are a few pictures of the P3 Lite…

 

I’m going to order a larger front tire and fork like this one.  Also shown is the steering bar.  You steer with your feet.  Push on the left bar to go left, the right bar to go right.  Your hands are free.img_20170211_162434

 

This unit also has the larger front fork.  An item I’m going to order as well.img_20170211_162511

I love the open front seat.  I feel very constricted in the harness of my Nirvana.img_20170211_162514

The top portion of the prop guard is removable on this unit.  I’m going to build mine the same.img_20170211_162516

I’m also going to order the larger tires as on this one.  Will make for operating in rough terrain easier.img_20170211_162525img_20170211_162533img_20170211_162535img_20170211_162555img_20170211_162610img_20170211_162620img_20170211_162627img_20170211_162641

This is the tiller.  It’s only used for ground steering.  Move it left to turn left, right to turn right.  Also has a hand brake.img_20170211_162646img_20170211_164316

Showing the front hydraulic disc brake.img_20170211_164328

From PPG to PPC

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Six Chuter P3Leave a comment

I’ve been flying my powered paraglider (PPG) for a year now and very much enjoy it. cropped-71c26c1073fda0755088ed4e7b53d956.jpg However, one aspect I do not enjoy about my PPG is its susceptability to wind.  This past flight where I took off in calm air and then had the wind pick up before I even landed which had me trapped in my harness for a few minutes made me realize I need an aircraft that is more stable.  I have since decided that I’m going to trade my PPG for a powered parachute (PPC).  The wing (parachute) on a PPC is far more stable than a PPG.  That can also be read as far less maneuverable but I’m fine with that.

p3lite2Right now I’m leaning towards purchasing a P3 Lite by Six Chuter.  Like my PPG the P3 is classified as an ultralight aircraft.  This means that it’s exempt from most FAA regulations.  I can do all the maintenance myself and can fly it without a pilot’s license.  I have a pilot’s license so that wouldn’t be a problem but FAA certified aircraft require annual inspections from FAA mechanics.  In California where I live I’d have to pay a luxury tax on a certified aircraft.   So the two big factors in sticking with an ultralight aircraft are cost and regulation.  And in the end I believe it will be every bit as portable as my PPG is.  Plus it should be far more stable for low and slow cross country flying which is what I would really rather do.  PPG’s are more suited to aerobatics which, I’m not.

More to come.

p3lite

Airborne Again

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Powered ParaglidingLeave a comment

I’ve been feeling grumpy all day.  Not sure why.  Just moody.  I was so happy to see the wind forecasts were very favorable for this afternoon.  Sure enough, when I got out to New Jerusalem (where the earth meets the sky) there was only a hint of thermal activity and very little wind.  I laid out my wing, warmed up the motor on my trike, strapped in, and had one of the best launches I’ve had in a while.  Slowly advancing the throttle, flying the wing first, then squeezing in the throttle more and more until the wing lifted me into the sky.

I flew over to the Tuolumne River to see how high it was running.  It’s still well within it’s banks but still running much higher than normal.  It’s a reminder of it’s former glory before the dams and irrigation canals were built.

There was one house that was completely surrounded by the rising waters.  Their barn and equipment were under water.  Hopefully the waters will recede before the snow starts melting in the mountains.

I flew along the river until I started getting cold.  I turned back toward the airport and decided to do a few touch and goes.  All four touch and goes were really good so I decided to call it quits.  My hands were starting to cramp so I was just done.    I rolled to a stop in front of my truck.  I sat a listened to the birds and felt so much lighter than I did when I took off.  There’s just something about flying that frees me.