Dream Sheet  

Build the plane you want - not what others want you to build

Now that I have completed the empennage and started on the wings I know I have the confidence to go through with the project so it's time to start thinking of a dream sheet for the engine, avionics and options.  As the project is likely to take several years and avionics develop at an amazing rate no doubt this page will see many amendments.

Item Proposal
Engine Superior XP-IO360 180 HP (gone bust) so Lycoming IO360 180 HP

Injection to eliminate carb icing problems & for aerobatics

Originally I thought about a diesel but they are still in development with no firewall forward kits available. Jet A1 tax is going up and with the relatively low annual hours (about 100) there is not a big saving - maybe in 10 years or so diesel will probably be the way ahead as Gasoline gets more scarce and expensive.

180 HP because the cost over the 160 HP is very small - boy is she going to move!

Decision: Lycoming IO360 as Superior have gone bust
Prop Make to be decided but fixed pitch (FP)

I will probably pay to have the engine modified to be upgradeable to Constant Speed (CS) at a later date but a CS prop is about £3K more than a FP!  I spent years doing aerobatics in a Chipmunk (FP) and entered UK Standard Class Aerobatic competitions in a CAP10B, which was powered by a Lycoming AEIO360 with a Hoffman 2 blade FP composite prop, so I don't see this as a problem and it is recommended by Vans (Manual Page 2-2). I feel that if a grass strip needs me to have a CS prop when I've got 180 horses under the cowling I shouldn't be operating out of that strip! Here are some figures that helped me make this decision.

Decision: Catto 3 blade FP - Subject to LAA approval. Need to keep the basic c of g as far aft as possible to help with c of g management. It's also smooth and quieter for the long x-xountry flights. It's very light and suitable for aerobatics.
Avionics  Dream panel page
It will definitely be glass cockpit (all my final professional flying was on this and I'm sold on it). Yes I know its a VFR aircraft but, if one day I fail to use my superior skill to avoid a situation that requires the use of that skill, the safe option may well be to go up through cloud and get away from the ground and also on those pea soup days when its still legally VFR but with no horizon ie for SAFETY.
 Decision: MGL Voyager and awaiting news for Aveo TraffiCom
Electrics I am watching the Vertical Power products with great interest.
The wiring will be simpler and there appears to be a bit of flexibility. The only fear I have is what if the main controller is U/S? The aircraft is grounded. That said how often will the whole box fail? The jury is still out as it's very early days with this product - that said how many people have an EFIS in their new homebuilt compared to steam gauges? This is a similar thing only with the electrical system. We have seen fuel injection and electrical systems in cars develop as electronics become more reliable - now it is the turn of light aircraft to see these same developments.

Decision: Not yet decided
Lights Vans wing tip landing lights and tail navigation light
Landing lights. I spent a lot of my RAF career low flying and usually the first thing you see of a head on conflicting aircraft is the landing light so a no brainer for me.

Nav Lights. I may fit the tail light and have the wire ducting to the wing tips BUT I have NO intention of night flying, however if the CAA ever allow permit aircraft to fly at night it will be straightforward to modify. Not decided yet.

Strobes. No. Why? I don't intend to fly at night, I've never found them that useful in the day and they're very expensive. When I sell it the new owner can easily retro fit them in the wing tips as the wiring conduit will already be there.
Options
Rear Rudder Pedals and Throttle. Full controls for any pilot I take flying.

Elevator/Aileron Electric Trim. I've used it most of my flying career and wouldn't like to fly without it. The requirement for aileron trim though in a tandem is marginal and I may not have the need for this. If it is subsequently removed the remaining brackets only weigh a couple of ounces.

Park brake. A plane without a park brake does not fit into my experience of flying modern aircraft!

Doug Bell Tailwheel - gives more of a clearance if you hit holes/ridges

Infinity Stick Grip.  Most of my professional career has been flying with a stick that controls, trim, RT, Autopilot Disconnect and other functions - this product appears to fit the bill perfectly.

* If you notice any errors in the links please let me know.*

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© 2006 Bob Ellis
Updated 14 May 2009