Big Changes

Well, My family and I will be getting to spend a lot more time together. I'm taking a job that will allow me to volunteer teach at my children's school. They go to a Christian school.

I was not interested in this job when I was first approached about taking it. But when I found out the hours, I decided that I should step out on faith and do it because of the time it provided. It is commission sales. I will be relying more on the Lords goodness of being payed on a commission basis.

The best thing is that I will be teaching my boys and helping keep an eye on things in general, which will help my girls.

Maybe things will go well enough and I will be able to build an ultralight plane soon. Perhaps an Ultracruiser or a Skypup. Maybe I'll buy a kit from Doug Hart. What ever the case, I'm hoping to be in the air again soon.

Well, I start my first day at the school tomorrow. I start my first day at my new job Wednesday.

Boy, these days things are coming fast. The interesting thing is that I see it being as much a part of my age as I see it being the changes .

My children are excited.

My wife on the other hand has mixed feelings. She is excited at the prospect of me being there for her more, but she is nervous about the new form of income.

Me, I'm past nervous and very excited.

I'll try to keep posting about how things are going with this endeavour.

Christians Let God Run Their Lives

Well, I would like to start by saying that as a Christian I find it odd that everyone I run into in this area say that they are Christian as well. Yet, they live as they please. I believe that comes from a basic misunderstanding of what it means to be a Christian or to quote “know Christ”. So to get this off my chest I have chosen to write a little about the issue and post it on my blogs.

To start, we need to know more specifically what we are saved from when we become a Christian. People hear us say that you need to be saved from your sins. What does that mean? I believe that is the question most would ask. The truth is that we need saving from ourselves. We sin because our nature is sinful, Not the other way around. So to define sin; it is to miss a defined goal, mission or target. We chose to be sinful because we want to run our own lives. That is to say we want to be our own god, innately. The only person who has the right to be the sole authority in his life is the person who knows all things, sees all things, and can do anything. I mean he even has to transcend time.

Here is the dilemma, we are limited. We can’t possibly set the rules and morals for our own lives because of these limits. None of us are limitless in any area. So we will miss things. This causes us to be wholly in adequate to make decisions without guidelines from the person who does meet these requirements. We must follow the one who can see the course of our lives.

Where we all go wrong is assuming we can be the captain of our own ship. We will be hopelessly lost without a guide. God created us. He is the perfect “Captain”. He has the attributes required to do a good job.

Saying all this, we still find ourselves wanting to be the one in charge. We want to run our own personal universe. That is the sin that we must be saved from. God set the direction for our lives and we walk away thinking that we know more than the One who knows all. It started with Adam and Eve and was handed down through Adam to all of us. We aren’t capable of running a universe, personal or otherwise. To do so, if I may be so bold as to reiterate, requires all knowing, all seeing, and all power. Any time that we choose to walk away from the guidance of The Maker, we sin, and sin against Him.

As the Creator of all, he has the right to run everything. He gave us the choice to follow so that it would be an open relationship. This is the only relationship in which anyone can have a truly loving relationship. That is the reason that we were even given the capability of choosing.

All actions have consequences. Sin separates us from God. See if you don’t want Him to be God you don’t want to relate to Him as He is, so you must be separated from. But if you want Him to be what He is in your life, then He has made a way for the consequence of being sinful to be paid without you being separated from him. Christ handled the payment.

Now, this leaves us where we started. If sinning is missing the mark, and the mark is living with God as the one running our lives, then we must turn from being the ones to determine what is right and wrong and start following God and his guidelines. Christ paid the way so that we could go back to living his way and accepting his right to tell us what to do. That is what it means for him to be Lord. He can run our lives in any way that he sees fit. That even includes the times when you think he is about to destroy it. He has that right but won’t. You must trust that you didn’t need things the way it was or the Lord wouldn’t take things apart. He will put it back together in a better way.

All this to say that if you say you’re a Christian and God isn’t Lord, He isn’t telling you how to live, he isn’t the one you will listen to over anyone, then you need to examine whether or not you just wanted some fire insurance. You just want to go to heaven. After all, heaven is heaven goes everything is run by God. If you don’t want him to run your life here than I don’t understand why you want to go to a place where that is exactly what you’ll have.

New Post On My Family Blog

Check out my post on my Family Blog. What is hapenning may give me more time for UL aircraft as long as I can have enough income as well.

Electric Flying Flea

I'll make it short. The pic is of an electric flying flea. The title of this post is of an italian to english translation of the story via Google. If you can read italian you will probably get more out of it in it's original format.

Oil Prices Are Nuts. Aviation and Life Have Become A Practical Pipe Dream

Fuel, something that is necessary for our everyday lives now. Oil is what we derive most fuels we use from, and the price of oil is ridiculous. Speculation in the investment markets has always been around in small amounts , but now we seem to have our markets driven by it. I will admit that oil would be high without speculators, but it is inflated by at least 20% by them.



Well this is what is at the root of all our financial problems now and mine in particular. When fuel needs eat up as much as 35 % of your budget, fun things and sometimes even other needs get shoved out.

My tirade is because I’m not in the air and can’t even save the money need to pay off my vehicles and purchase the bike I spoke of in my previous post. I want to buy the bike and then the Nova-1. I’ve been working overtime and trying many other ways of bring in income but it isn’t enough right now.

It’s obvious that I have Google Adsense on this page. I’d like to see a lot more clicks showing up, but apparently I’m not getting my page noticed enough.

I mentioned the overtime at work.

My wife contributes by doing Avon. Although it‘s doing good it hasn’t grown enough to get the difference made up.

I’ve been checking out every home-based business and money-making opportunity I find in the hopes of finding something I can do that will also make up the difference. Needless to say the good ones are out of my reach and the rest are useless.

Well, I guess I’ll cut my tirade short, but you get the jist of what I’m saying.

Planes Have To Wait For Motorcycles

Well, I believe that it has been a while since I have posted.

I have put my flying plans on hold indefinitely.

Financial reasons have forced me to sale my car and start saving for a motorcycle. I'm going to purchase one under 250cc. I'm looking at the Kawasaki 125cc Eliminator. $3014 is the total purchase price and the thing is rated at 100mpg.

The bike is a cruiser so it isn't something without style or a crotch-rocket that would probably get me killed. Killed by anti-motorcycle family members that is.

On the subject of motorcycle dangers, this isn't my first bike. So, motorcycle safety is definitely on my list of things to observe when riding.

Nova-1 Group Growing By Leaps & Bounds

Look, I am surprised and excited about how fast the Nova-1 group. Since I start the group on May 3rd the group has had 22 members join and close to 20 messages. It's had 15 photos added and 2 links.

Now you may think that this kind of growth is nothing to write home about but I've started other groups that I shut down because of the lack of interest. What I find interesting is that the other groups topic had a following, and yet no one was jumping in for the discussion.

Anyway, the Nova-1 ultralight airplane is likely to be the next quicksilver as far as sales go. It's priced write and is hefty enough to handle a big guy like me. To give you a better idea of what I'm talking about, I've been losing weight and i still weigh in at better than 250 lbs.

Watch and wait, you'll see. Heck you may even buy one and contribute to that success.

Nova-1 UL Is For Me

I like this plane. The Nova-1 Ultralight is just like I've wanted for a while. It is simple in construction and you don't have to replace sails every 7 years or so.

The other thing is the fact that the Nova-1 Ultralight will be powered by the MZ201 when sold in kit form. I like the specs on this engine. And to add a suger coating the thing is practically half the price of a Rotax 447.

Nova-1 Yahoo Group

Ok, this will be short but sweet. I've started a new discussion group for the Nova-1. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-1

Check it out. The designer owner has joined the group and is helping in the moderation.

Classifieds

Ok, here is how the classifieds will be handled. If you read my blog you can sign up for a Google account and post comments on each post I make. To post a classified about any ul aviation item you have for sale, post it as a comment to this post.

I've made the title of this post a link to the page that is generated just for this post. Click on the link and save the url for future access and continued use. I will also put a link on my side bar clearly marked "UL Flying News Classifieds" on my side bar.

I will keep an eye on this and post the ad on my main page for maximum exposure when you first post.

Using a Blog for Advertising. Not a Good Idea?

I've been told that I need to give this idea up. But I want to state that I would rather try and fail than not try at all.

I've had an individual, who will remain unnamed, ask me to give up this idea of another free UL advertising site. Now the way I see it is that putting anything up for sale and selling it quick requires exposure. So, the more places you can post it for sale without any cost the better.

Also, in our correspondence I refered to me being competition for another well known site. The truth is that I will only be complimenting them by giving people a place to get more exposure for their ultralight plane items.

I know what you're saying, "How can you give as much coverage as this unnamed site?" I don't have to. I'm adding to it for no more cost. People do come here to read and as time comes along more will and those ads will get exposure. Eventually I will launch a separate page just for the ads with a link to this one.

Well, that is my take on this situation.

Post UL Ads

I am opening up my blog to anyone who would like to post an ultralight or ultralight related items for sale. All I ask in return is that you click on one of the Google ads. Sign up for a comment account and go after it.

Nova-1 UL

Ok, here is the aircraft for me. Especially since I can purchase one from their special offer on Ebay. They are pricing an airframe kit at $5995 on Ebay right now. They are planning to sell 24 at that price, which is below there production cost. This is intended to get the Nova-1 introduced in several markets.

This is what Ultralightnews.com had to say about it.

"Last year a craft built by Starlite Engineering called the Nova 1 was on static display.

The pilot sits on a seat out in front of the wing with the engine on a "pylon" above and behind him. While the company did not have a commercial display this year, a Nova 1 was at the show.

The pilot demonstrated all week long the handling capabilities of this beautiful little craft. Last year Nova 1 was shown with only a little single cylinder engine. The craft flying this year was powered by what looked to be a 503 dual carb Rotax putting out about 50 hp.

Cruise looked to come in about 55 mph, take off distance in windy conditions was about 50 feet with about 150 needed on calmer evening flights. The demonstrated climb rate was very impressive, but then again anything that light with that kind of power had better do more than just look pretty."

Now the engine recommend on the Ebay listing is a MZ-201 which is rated at 45hp. Here is what the discription on Hart Aeros e-store says.

"MZ201 Complete includes belt reduction drive or gearbox with clutch. The MZ201 was created to meet a specific need. The engine was derived from its big brother MZ202 and derated to 45 Hp.

This configuration is best for motorglider applications and single place ULM where the single cylinder engine is too small and our MZ202 is too powerful. With this performance we can use a belt reduction system, and the lower power does not need the forced air cooling.

The engine weight complete with reduction, carburetor and muffler is only 31 kg (69 lbs). The torque curve, being very flat, is optimal for a propeller.

The fuel consumption is very low due to the double CDI ignition system with variable ignition points. A single Tillotson diaphragm carburetor is standard.

The MZ201 is supplied with electric starter, recoil starter, exhaust system, wiring harness, air filter and belt reduction. Optionally available: RZ2 gear box with clutch, fan cooled.

Bore: 76 mm Stroke: 69 mm Displacement: 626 cc Rotation: Anti-clockwise from PTO Cooling: By propeller Ignition: Double CDI Fuel Metering: Single Tillotson carb Starter: Electric and Recoil starter starter Generator: 180 Watt 13.8V Max brake output: 45 HP @ 4700 RPM Max permissable RPM: 4700 RPM Lubrication: Oil (Castrol TTS) in unleaded gas 50:1 Reduction: Belt reduction (gearbox optional) Complete engine weight: 31 kg (69 lbs) incl. reduction, electric starter, exhaust."

All I can say is what a combination.

Youtube Removal

You're probably wondering where the Youtube widget is. Well, I had to get rid of it. It slowed loading down badly on my home computer. You see, I'm on dial-up and have to see what change I've made without having to wait a month or have things load improperly.

I know what you're saying. Get DSL or something. Well, DSL isn't available yet where I'm at and I'm in the middle of a move on top of that. So, dial-up will have to do for now.

Happy Flying

Ads Connection to UL Desires

Well, you've probably been wondering why my page has so many ads on it. In a sentence, a man has to finance his hobbies somehow. I know what you're thinking. He's out of his mind if he thinks that I'm going to buy something here. Well that is the beauty of most of these links. You click and I get paid. Or you search, then click on a sponsored link and I get paid. There are only a few of these links that require a purchase for me to get paid. So click away and you will be financing my next UL without it costing you one dime.

I believe that UL will be the Ultracruiser.

Ultralight On Hold For A house

I know, it isn't a good thing to let a blog set for so long. But you have to understand. I've been in a housing transition that has required that I put off my ultralight plans. I hope to be in my new home soon.

I've spent the last four months in a single wide mobile home.

The way I see it I should get a little forgiveness for being deliquent on posting. But seeing that things appear to be coming together for my family and I to move into our new home, I will probably be posting more and more often. After all, I need to build that Weedhopper or Ultracruiser or Sweetpea. Oh well, I'll eventually make up my mind.

My next project will be???

You know, trying to decide what plane I will replace my MX with has be a real mixed bag. I have several planes in mind. But, it seems that it all comes down to cost and time to put into one.

My first plane was a Weedhopper. I always seem to gravitate back to it at times because of its simplicity of design. Yet it also incorporates asthetic values that appeal to me as well. Anything with a swept wing or leading edge grabs my attention.

My second plane is another thing because I have it. But the MX is a late eighties model and more expensive to repair than a Weedhopper would be. I also don't think that it is worth what would need to be put into it.

I would love to build a modified Ultracruiser. The mod I'm speaking of is to use a light weight 2-stroke. I'm a heavy man and feel the weight savings and power gain is worth the use of a 2-stroke. Mr. Hummel is sure to disagree with my sentiments, but it would be my plane.

Now, I'm also considering the Hart Aero Sweet Pea. I like the way it is built and the fact that it should even come in UL legal with a four stroke that should be able to handle my weight.

I just have to figure out which one to do!

Ultralights on Youtube

I have close to 20 videos of Ultralight planes on Youtube. They are mostly of Weedhoppers. But, there is also a Falcon UL, a Mitchellwing B-10, and a Quicksilver MX.

Hope Yall Enjoy

Youtube Troubles Again

Well I was able to get it to work. I removed the original player and replaced it from my on playlist. The original was an Adsense linked module. Apparently they want to make you watch commercials on my page.

Anyway, I was able to add more than just one Hart Aero video. Plus, a few of other planes.

Youtube Troubles

As a lot of you may have notice, I'm having trouble with getting proper content on my Youtube module.

The closest I've come to is video of airliners landing and taking off.

Well, I've uploaded some files that I've downloaded from other sites to my Youtube account and I hope to get that content to my module.

One video is of Hart Aero's Babylite. If you like what you see, check the link out under the "Great Links" section to the right of this page.

Hopefully you'll be able to enjoy.

A Reason for Proper Tie Downs

Ok, this one comes from personal experience. Everyone knows that a plane must be properly tied down to keep wind damage to a minimum. Well, if the tie down stakes aren’t properly inserted in the ground, the wind will eventually flip or damage a plane.

My experience was due to a recent move. Having sold my home, I needed to relocate my plane.

Yes I had it tied down at home. I was planning repairs.

Anyway, my parents have property adjacent to our old home, so I pulled up the properly inserted tie down augers I was using and moved them and the plane onto my parent’s property. The ground was dry and hard to get the tie downs fully inserted in the ground. I stopped inserting them with them only half their length in the ground. Now while I had them in my yard the tie downs had never budged. Yet due to not being too shallow in the ground, one came out of the ground due to the wind causing a repeated jerking on it. From there you know what happened. My plane was flipped.

My plane, a Quicksilver MX, now has one severely damaged wing and damage to the rudder, king post, and elevator pushrod. The planes age makes it not worth repairing.

Now a few tips from experience:

1. Use proper tie downs. The ones I have are adequate for an ultralight. They go 18” into the ground when fully inserted. They auger disc is 3” in diameter and the shaft is ¼” rod with an eye formed in the top.

2. Fully insert the auger. The auger eye should be no more than 1” from the ground.

3. Water tamp the auger for an hour to make sure the soil that has been loosened is packed firmly. Let dry for a day.

4. Use ¼” or larger rope or the small tie straps of the pull through or ratcheting variety.

5. Properly secure your plane, preferably with the tail to the prevailing winds.

Most probably realize these thing, but if this will save some trouble for someone who hasn’t.

By the way, does anyone want a parts plane. I’m interested in selling it less the engine.

All About Hart Aero

Doug Hart has been involved in aviation all of his life. He completed flight school in 1989. He attended Carl Sandburg Community College in Galesburg Illinois for Aviation Business Management. He served us proudly in the US Army as a warrant officer and helicopter pilot, during Desert Storm. After the Army he attended the University of Illinois receiving an A+P certificate/Aeronautical Science degree, also completing Aeronautical Engineering courses as well as Human Factors in Aviation. He received 1st Graduate Honors.

In my humble opinion, his education sounds like he could be designing the SR-71's replacement.

Now, since graduating, he has been employed as an A+P at the Air Combat Museum at Springfield Illinois, Maintenance Base Manager for United Express/Great Lakes, Director of Maintenance For Capital Aircraft, Regional Aircraft Maintenance Manager for Evergreen Air Center and employed as Corporate Aircraft maintenance Lead for Air Evac EMS.
During his employment he specialized in structural repair and modifications as well as working on Pratt & Whitney PT6 series engines. During this time he has done main wing spar repairs on a King Air 1900 and a medical bar modification on a Bell 206L3. He converted a PT6-67A Starship engine for use on agricultural aircraft in Australia. Additionally, He has attended quite a variety of training schools and has received several awards from past employers as well as the FAA.


He said,"Over the years I have been heavily involved in the ultralight and experimental aircraft hobby away from my full time jobs. I have owned and built several aircraft from a Weedhopper to a Early Bird Jenny(s). I have also performed many, many experimental conformity inspections over the years."

He just recently finished his MBA last year(2007). In his words,"This was a huge self accomplishment and a long time goal for myself."

"On a personal note, I am married and have 2 sons, ages 3 and 7. My family fully supports and helps with my passion for the light aircraft."



About Hart Aero:

Hart Aero, was newly formed last year, 2007.

The aircraft have been in private development since 1995.

He, with the help of his family in one way are another, has built and flown 18 ultralight and experimental aircraft since 1990.

He has a perfect track record regarding safety in structural design and personal injury or fatality.

The 5 aircraft he currently has on the website have undergone extensive testing and some are in the third or more generations of type.

He moved into his new shop in the fall of 2007. He says it's a small shop located behind his home, and that it houses all of the production phases from start to finish. "We have learned very quickly to be very efficient at utilizing our limited space to it's full potential!"

Despite that, he will be starting construction in the next couple of weeks on a dedicated fabric shop and paint booth. He also has plans to add another building this spring for storage of materials and parts.

All of the fabrication and construction is completed in house by trained and highly skilled personnel (most have an A+P license or repairman certificate or have the experience in homebuilding necessary).

The staff includes 2 full time and 4 part time people. Each specialize in one or two phases of each aircraft and assist as needed with all other phases.

In remark about the money behind the venture, he said,"I have used my own money from ground up on all our aircraft and facilities. We never have spent more than we have had available. This has slowed our development, but has eased the pressure to push kits to make bank loan payments or investor payments and is true to our plan of keep it simple, keep it strong and keep it affordable. The end result is that we have proven aircraft at an affordable price and most important to me is that we make these aircraft because we want to, not because we have to."

"I do have several other designs that I have not built as yet, but plan to in the near future as time allows."

"The positive response to our aircraft is overwhelming. We have had visitors from all over the USA and have customers from all over the world. On average we receive at least 100 emails a day and at least 2 to 3 dozen phone calls a day from people wanting more information about us and our aircraft."

At this point I would like to go through the questions posed to Doug in our correspondence.

Donnie Watson: What do you hope to accomplish with this endeavor?

Doug Hart: Fun factor and affordability are very high on the priority list. We hope that by offering affordable aircraft that we can awaken the kid in everyone that has dreamed of flying and make it a reality for those that really want to fly and for those older pilots that can no longer fly general aviation.

Donnie Watson: How has this impacted your family and life as of late?

Doug Hart: It has consumed me and my family! But we all enjoy it very much. My boys are always around "helping daddy build airwings". My wife likes it that I'm happy doing something I really like. With all my previous jobs, I was gone a lot and always had erratic schedules. Even though I'm working harder and longer than ever, I have more time with my family now than before. It helps ALOT that our shop is behind the house! :-)

Donnie Watson: How many plane designs do you have now?

Doug Hart: On paper I have designed well over 30 aircraft. Mostly powered ultralight type, a few sailplanes and a few 2 place. I hope to build prototypes for a few of them. Most were drawn up more for exercise than anything else, but each and everyone has produced ideas for the next or previous.

Donnie Watson: There has been mention of you designing a tow plane for your gliders. Would you speculate as to when you might start on that?

Doug Hart: A glider tug will most likely be a modified Aero Sport or Aero Trainer. A one off design for a UL glider tug just doesn't make sense at this time for us. The Sport and Trainer already have the basic qualities needed for such an application and I know with a little modification can complete the task quite well.

Donnie Watson: Has the growth of the company surprised you?

Doug Hart: The growth and interest has overwhelmed us. We are
currently at least 3-4 month lead time on new orders. There truly is a need for what we do and offer.

Doug, I hope that I speak for all in this, We wish you well in this business and hope that you will be blessed with success in it.

The Weedhopper

The Weedhopper is a well known plane among the UL initiated. Some love it and some hate it. It happens to be one of my personal favorites. In fact, my first plane was a Weedhopper. No the first picture was not mine. The second one was.


This plane is very docile in the air. Being 2-axis control it is easier to learn how to fly it than if you had to coordinate rudder, elevator and ailerons. It will roll in a turn without ailerons because of the dihedral pitch in the wings. It will cruise around 50-55 mph if setup right. An interesting thing about the Weedhopper is that around 60 mph and higher it will climb no matter what. I found mention in the Weedhopper Yahoo Group that some of the Weedhoppers owned by members will climb with full down elevator at full engine power.

Speaking of engines, the typical engine on a Weedhopper is rated at 40 hp or more these days. Although the original engine was only 18 hp. The brand that has been sold with the Weedhopper for the last 25 years or so has been Rotax. The first Rotax used was the 277. Later they came with 377, 447, & 503. Now, many people have rebuilt older ones and put the engine of there choice. Hirth, Zenoah, 2SI(know in the early days as Cuyuna) are just some of the names you'll find powering a Weedhopper these days. I've even seen a picture of one with a Subaru car engine hanging on the front. There where pictures of it flying as well. I wouldn't recommend that engine though.

Well, I mentioned the Weedhopper Yahoo Group above. If your interest has been peaked by my small post, you may become a member and learn a whole lot more at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/weedhopper. A link is also to the right.

A Little About Me and Mine

I'm Donnie Watson, an auto tech with many interest. My interests start with my family.

The first of my family is my God. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Lord of my life. He chose me when I was 8 years old. I chose to follow him right after that.

The second of my family is my beautiful wife of 16.5 years. She has loved me since she was 8 and I was almost 13. I have an unusual history with her. Unusual for this day and time that is. I've known her since she was born.

Third in line is my first child, a son. His name is Nathan. He is a 13 year old with a talent for basketball and the height to go with it. He is 5'10" and one inch taller than his daddy(me of course).

My first daughter and second child is Alyson. She is a cute little ten year old with great creativity.

My second son is eight and very mild-mannered. Although his big brother can get his dander up.

My youngest is a bright little five year old girl. She can light up any room she enters.

My second interest is ultralight aircraft. I like to build and fly them.

Now an ultralight is a plane that weighs no more than 254lbs. It can only have a single seat, which is a bit of a bummer cause you can't take anyone for a ride. The fuel tank isn't supposed to hold more than five gallons, but I know for fact that rule has been bent and even broke by many. It's supposed to be limited to 60 mph, top speed. Stall speed is supposed to be no more than 35 mph. Now, most UL's stall around 20. Maybe a little explanation is in order. Stall is the air speed at which the wing of the plane stops producing lift. This can be cause by simply going to slow or by trying to climb to steep. That is called having to much angle of attack.

Anyway, flying is a lot of fun. The view is incredible. You can even see to the bottom of some lakes when your around 500' off the ground. Not to mention that you can start to see the curvature of the earth at about 5000'.

Building is another thing all together. Needless to say, being in the automotive field I like to build and work on machines. The biggest thrill is having a plane you've built leave the ground and fly; and do it well.

Well, I believe that enough for now.

Did I wet your appetite?