http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/ 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/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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Homebuilt Aircraft Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0200 eai200818 http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/aircraft-engines-2.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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Flight Planning eai20081