http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/index.php A source of information on building and flying homebuilt, experimental aircraft. Providing information on VFR flight planning, a selection of aviation weather maps, aviation news, regulations (aviation law), aircraft insurance and articles on building homebuilt, experimental aircraft. Saturday Sunday info@experimentalaircraft.info (info) info@experimentalaircraft.info (info) 1440 en-us http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/jabiru-aircraft-engines.php An aircraft and engine company from Australia and their aim is to develop and sell reasonably priced aircraft and engines. There are not many companies building both aircraft and engines, but Jabiru is one of them. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:30:00 +0200 eai201002 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/weather/climate-environment.php The main reason for the existance of climatic regions on our planet is the tilting of the Earths vertical axes and the elliptic rotation of the Earth around the sun. This causes the amount of incoming solar radiation to vary throughout a year. As a result we have four seasons each lasting around 90 days. Read more... Aviation Weather Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:30:00 +0200 eai201001 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/avionics-tcas-acas.php Aircraft can use a number of these (ACAS) systems to keep the flight safe. These range from radar, TCAS, portable CAS, terrain awareness system (TAWS), ground proximity warning system (GPWS), synthetic vision in EFIS and the obstacle collision avoidance system. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:30:00 +0200 eai200924 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/engine-lubrication-4.php Lubrication is needed to overcome friction caused by surfaces sliding or rolling over each other. No matter how polished or closely machined a surface is, on a microscopic level there are always small jagged edges or uneven spots. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Tue, 25 Nov 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200924 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/avionics-efis-systems.php Flight and engine instruments can be the old school style type round gauges we all (well most of us) learned to fly with. These are familiar to everyone. Latest trend in general aviation is electronic screens in cockpits. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:30:00 +0200 eai200923 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-stall-effect-1.php When the aircraft enters a spin it is in a stalled flight condition where the aircraft follows a vertical spiralling descent path. The aircraft is stalled but at the same time rolling and yawing and one wing generating more lift than the other. Read more... Flight planning Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:30:00 +0200 eai200922 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-engines-fadec.php A sophisticated ignition: full authority digital engine control (FADEC) is a memory mapped microprocessor controlled ignition with sensors measuring MAP, CHT, EGT, RPM, atmospheric and oil pressure. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:30:00 +0200 eai200921 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-best-glide-speed.php Most aircraft accidents occur during the take-off and landing phase of the flight. Collisions with obstacles during climb out, runway overruns on landing occur every now and then. On this part of the site we will take a look at the various factors contributing to the performance of the aircraft in this part of the flight. Read more... Flight Planning Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:30:00 +0200 eai200920 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-stall-effect.php A number of aircraft have the tendence to drop a wing or roll at the stall which could result into a spin if left unattended. We will take a look at its cause and the actions a pilot can take to minimize the wing drop. Read more... Flight planning Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:30:00 +0200 eai200919 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/weather/weather-precipitation.php For any precipitation to fall there is a need for a cloud. Clouds are formed when the relative humidity reaches 100% and with enough hygroscopic nuclei so that condensation can take place. Cloud droplets initially grow quickly, but as they become larger the process slows down. Read more... Aviation Weather Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:30:00 +0200 eai200918 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-stall-speed.php During take off and landing the aircraft flies just above its stall speed, here we take a look at all the factors which have an influence on that speed. Read more... Flight planning Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200917 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aluminum-corrosion.php Aluminum corrodes almost immediately forming an oxide layer that will protect it from further corrosion. For example: Place an aircraft in a salty environment near the ocean and the unprotected aluminum corrodes if not handled properly. Read more... Library Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200916 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/weather/weather-fog.php Fog is basically just a cloud sitting at the surface, be at that sea level or in mountain areas. For pilots flying early morning on track to their destination it can be a very limiting factor. Read more... Aviation Weather Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200915 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/weather/weather-visibility.php Flying VFR means that we need a minimum amount of visibility to fly safely to our destination. This visibility depends on a number of factors, they are all weather related and indicate the state of the air. Day or night makes no difference to the visibility or transparancy of air. Read more... Aviation Weather Tue, 9 Jun 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200914 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-electrical-systems-2.php Most aircraft require some form of electrical power to operate navigation-, taxi-, landing-, strobe lights, one or more com and nav radio's, transponder, intercom and other electronic systems. The electrical system consist of a battery and an alternator or generator on older aircraft. Read more... Library Sun, 17 May 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200913 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-engines-cooling.php Aircraft engines need some form of cooling to avoid damage to the engine. The heat generated by the combustion process is only put to work partially and the rest will heat the engine and must be directed away through some form of cooling system to keep the engine within temperature limits to ensure long life. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200912 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-pressure-instruments.php Aircraft depend for a great deal on measuring air pressure for indication of airspeed, altitude and vertical speed. These instruments are called the pressure instruments and they operate by sensing changes in the pressure of the air surrounding the aircraft. Read more... Library Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200911 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-engines-ignition.php The fuel air mixture in the combustion chamber needs to be ignited and at the correct moment to ensure efficient combustion. This is the job of the ignition system, be that the old fashion magneto of the good old days or a modern fully electronic microprocessor controlled FADEC system. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Tue, 7 Apr 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200910 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-engines-detonation.php Detonation can and will cause serious engine damage and is the factor in limiting engine power. All spark ignited aircraft engines are capable of detonation and it goes hand in hand with power. If an engine is to make some amount of power it must be run near its detonation margin. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Thu, 5 Mar 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200909 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-engines-leaning.php Aero engines usually have a mixture control, its the red knob. It is used to control the fuel air ratio in the carburettor and to stop the engine at the end of a flight. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200908 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/weather/weather-atmosphere.php The vertical extend of the atmosphere is difficult to define, it surrounds the earth and becomes increasingly thinner until at some point space is reached. Read more... Aviation Weather Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200907 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/human-factors.php Human factors is a combination of aviation medicine, psychology, engineering and ergonomics. It encompasses all of these factors trying to understand the man/machine interface in the aircraft. Read more... Library Sat, 14 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200906 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-navigation-time.php Time. Usually taken for granted but it is of the utmost essence in aviation. For time and speed relates to distance and we can calculate how long a flight will take and estimate our time of arrival and know our fuel consumption. Read more... Flight planning Mon, 9 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200905 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-navigation-speed.php One of the most important factors during navigation is speed. Without it the aircraft would not get anywhere. Aircraft speed is measured in relation to the airmass it flies in, airspeed. The movement over ground is influenced by the wind and called groundspeed. Read more... Flight planning Tue, 6 Jan 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200904 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-range-endurance.php Maximum range flying is done to fly a maximum distance for the amount of fuel onboard. This can be set against distance covered through air or over ground. It is of interest to a pilot when he wants to fly with the least amount of fuel flow for a distance traveled to save fuel. Read more... Flight planning Mon, 5 Jan 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200903 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-electrical-systems.php Most aircraft require some form of electrical power to operate navigation-, taxi-, landing-, strobe lights, one or more com and nav radio's, transponder, intercom and other electronic systems. Read more... Aircraft Construction Fri, 2 Jan 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200902 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/engine-lubrication.php Reducing friction losses in an engine is done by using the correct oil considering the circumstances as engine usage, ambient temperature, time of year, location, engine design and more. Lubricating oil plays an important part in the life of the engine and during maintenance it will be replaced, on certified aircraft the pilot can only replenish it. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Thu, 1 Jan 2009 11:30:00 +0200 eai200901 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-propeller.php Without a method of converting the power produced by the engine into useful thrust an aircraft would just be sitting still and creating a lot of noise without getting anywhere. In the past, all kinds of different propeller design were used: sometimes flat wooden blades, from one bladed to multiple blade models rotated at various speeds. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:30:00 +0200 eai200827 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-wake-turbulence.php Every aircraft generates wake turbulence from the moment the wing produces lift and the aircraft leaves the ground. This wake is also called wingtip or wake vortices. It forms when an aerofoil generates a pressure difference where the lowest pressure is over the upper surface and the highest pressure under the wing. Read more... Flight planning Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:30:00 +0200 eai200827 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aviation-fuel-properties.php Petroleum fuels have a number of characteristics and properties of interest to the user. Easy ignition is one of them and they all have a common composition, they consist of hydrocarbon (hydrogen and carbon) molecules and some small amounts of additives. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Mon, 8 Dec 2008 11:30:00 +0200 eai200826 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-construction.php An aircraft is build up from a number of major components: fuselage, wings, empennage, undercarriage and one or more engines. Each of these parts consists of hundreds sometimes thousands of parts and all flying in very close formation. All these components need to be designed and constructed in such a way to be able to withstand all the loads an aircraft encounters during its lifetime of flying. Read more... Aircraft Construction Tue, 4 Nov 2008 11:30:00 +0200 eai200827 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-engine-performance.php In an engine chemical energy is converted into heat energy and to mechanical energy to rotate the crankshaft. The heat produced by the combustion process causes an increase in cylinder pressure and this forces the piston down and finally rotating the propeller. The power of an engine is a way of measuring the rate at which it is doing work. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Mon, 3 Nov 2008 11:30:00 +0200 eai200826 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/supercharging-engines.php Due to the reduction in air density by gaining altitude, lower air pressure or higher ambient temperatures an aircraft engine loses its power. At about 10000 ft the air pressure has dropped 25%. Thus the engine gets 25% less air per intake stroke and is reduced in power output. Aircraft performance suffers in climb ratio's, cruise speed and more. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Sat, 1 Nov 2008 11:30:00 +0200 eai200825 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/aviation-law-rules/avionics-transponder.php Aircraft transponders are a part of Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR). These transponders reply to interrogation from a ground station with a code set by the pilot and instructed to do so by air traffic control. Due to increasing traffic in European skies it became necessary to replace the good old Mode A/C transponders with new digital Mode S transponders. Read more... Aviation Law and Rules Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:30:00 +0200 eai200824 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/mountain-flying.php Mountain flying represents a real challenge for most flatland pilots. At the same time the rewards are tremendous, offering very spectacular sceneries and views. It also means that the pilot needs training, develop skills and knowledge to fly safely in such an environment. We provide some basic knowledge on this subject, but this is no substitute for real training in the actual environment. Read more... Flight planning Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:30:00 +0200 eai200823 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aviation-fuel-opec.php Crude oil is produced by a number of countries around the world. They have formed an organisation called OPEC: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Thu, 7 Aug 2008 11:30:00 +0200 eai200822 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/aviation-law-rules/avionics-emergency-locator-beacon.php Basically there are three types of emergency locator beacons in use today to transmit distress signals: the maritime EPIRBs - Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon. The aviation community uses ELTs - Emergency Locator Transmitter and the PLBs - Personal Locator Beacon is used for land-based applications. Read more... Aviation Law and Rules Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0200 eai200821 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-for-sale.php For some of us building is not an option. Building takes time and you may not have that luxury and you want to fly next week instead of in two or three years from now. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0200 eai200820 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-sheetmetal.php Working with sheet metal, especially the thin sheets used in aircraft construction, can be a daunting experience for the first time builder. One of the problems is that when you ask advice from those in the industry, the response only makes matters worse, as many assume a certain level of knowledge of airframe construction. Read more... Aircraft Construction Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:55:09 +0200 eai200819 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-refueling.php Handling aircraft fuel must be done according to local airport safety regulations and rules. If not done properly the results can be really devastating to you and others. Aircraft fuel is highly combustible and burning avgas is only useful to us inside an engine while trying to rotate the propeller. Here we discuss safety practices for handling aircraft fuel. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0200 eai200818 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/rotax-aircraft-engines.php Rotax four stroke aircraft engines have proven themselves as reliable engines. They can be bought as experimental (UL) or certified (A and F) engine and there are three main models to date. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:30:00 +0200 eai200817 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-antenna.php An aircraft uses a range of radio frequencies to navigate and communicate with air traffic control. To do this successfully the radio equipment uses different types and sizes of antenna. Each of these antenna have their own characteristics regarding frequency and thus location on the aircraft. Even the connection between the antenna and avionics has its own set of specifications. Read more... Aircraft Construction Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:15:00 +0200 eai200816 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-lights-redbeacon.php The red aircraft beacon is usually mounted on the vertical fin (Cessna and Murphy types) to indicate a 'live' aircraft, i.e. with the engine about to start or already running. On this page we show you the installation of the Kuntzleman Electronics, Inc - Red LED Aircraft Beacon in the top fairing of the vertical fin of a Murphy Elite aircraft. Read more... Aircraft Construction Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:30:00 +0200 eai200815 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aircraft-weightbalance-1.php Next to a good preflight plan and weather report is a thorough Weight and Balance calculation. Weight and balance is a matter of serious concern to all pilots as well as many other people involved in the flight. The pilot has to personally assume the responsibility (and by law) because he has control over both the loading and fuel management, the two variable factors which can change both total weight and balance. Read more... Flight planning Sun, 8 Jun 2008 22:30:00 +0200 eai200814 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/weather/world-weather-map.php A very important part of preflight planning is obtaining weather information. It really pays off to start observing the weather a number of days ahead of the flight to see what the weather systems are doing. Make sure you also read the forecasts for the day of your flight. Using this technique it is easy to see if the forecasts are reasonably correct and if the sources they use are reliable. Read more... Aviation Weather Thu, 5 Jun 2008 13:45:00 +0200 eai200813 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aeroclub-new-zealand-1.php For a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch whales, dusky dolphins and other marine life from the air, visit Air Kaikoura in New Zealand. Read more... Flight Planning eai200812 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aviation-biofuel.php As engines still cannot run on water, but indirectly this water can be and is a source of algae. And these algae have a high yield compared to other biomass sources which makes them very interesting to the energy industry. A big advantage of many biofuels over 'normal' fuel types is that they are biodegradable, and if spilled harmless to the environment. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft eai200811 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-corrosion-protection.php Aluminum corrodes. Place an aircraft in a salty environment, near the ocean for example, and the aluminum corrodes. There are a number of ways one can protect your aircraft against corrosion: paint, wax, zinc-chromate priming, anodizing and coating with a liquid protective solution. Read more... Aircraft Construction eai200810 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-engines-3.php In the United Kingdom there are a number of aircraft diesel engine manufacturers active: Wilksch Airmotive, Diesel Air Limited and Powerplant Developments. We will shine a light on each to see what they have to offer to the experimental aircraft market. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft eai20089 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/aviation-law-rules/aviation-organizations.php Most countries are a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and as such signed the "Chicago Convention 1944" (111 pages, 2 Mb). Aviation rules and regulations in member countries are based on the recommendations of the ICAO. This is necessary to get a certain worldwide standard for safety, airports, crew licensing and other important aviation matters. Read more... Aviation Law and Rules eai20088 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/ulpower-aircraft-engines.php Formed in 2006, ULPOWER Aero Engines is a small Belgian company which started as a joint venture by a number of individuals and companies. Their intention is to develop and manufacture a light weight aero engine where power and reliability is priority number one. Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft eai20087 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-engines-2.php The last couple of years development in aircraft engines has been more or less concentrating on diesel engines. We have seen one off installations to fully developed engine production lines. A number of companies are active on this market primarily due to major concern of long term availability and the relative high price of AVgas (Europe). Read more... Homebuilt Aircraft eai20086 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/winter-flying.php Flying in the winter can be one of the most spectacular experiences there is. Especially in the mountains. But winter time means that we have to take special preparations to saveguard ourselves and the aircraft, so that flying remains fun even in the cold season. Read more... Flight planning eai20085 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aviation-hazards-1.php One of the greatest dangers to aviation are thunderstorms. When evaluating accidents related with thunderstorms it became apparent that the dangers associated were not always recognized by the aviators and possible evasive action was not carried out leading to disastrous results. Read more... Flight Planning eai20084 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/fuel-management.php Each year a number of aircraft accidents are related to fuel starvation, exhaustion or contamination. There were numerous reasons for these avoidable accidents: ranging from inadequate fuel systems knowledge by the crew, preflight planning issues, takeoff and landing checks and failing to monitor fuel consumption during flight. Or even failing to refuel the correct quantity before the flight. Read more... Flight Planning eai20083 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-proseal.php Aircraft wing tanks come in different size and shapes. Some aircraft have a separate fuel tank build into the wing in the form of rubber bladders or even composite tanks built inside the wing. Cessna, Piper, RV and Murphy type aircraft have a wet wing. This means that the fuel is contained / carried in the wing itself in separate bays usually close to the wing root. Read more... Aircraft Construction eai20082 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/avionics-navigation.php During your career as a pilot you will see more advanced navigation systems in the airplanes you fly. Systems like Radio Magnetic Indicators, Horizontal Situation Indicators and navigation systems like RNAV, LORAN (now obsolete) and satellite navigation systems as GPS. Read more... Flight Planning eai20081