Quick bonus post: Back on June 24, I wrote that I had had to remount the aileron counterweight arms (see Bede BD-4C Aileron Counterweights and Wings and Control Stick Grips and Headset Jacks and, if you want to go even farther back in time, see Ailerons & Flaps Complete from 2013). Back on July 8, I trimmed the bottoms of the carbon fiber wingtips of my Bede BD-4C to allow the counterweights to swing downward.
Here are photos of the left wingtip.
Pushing the joystick to the left, which makes the airplane bank left and turn left, raises the left aileron, like this:
Dear Curmudgeon,
I am enamored of your motto: “A complete lack of ideas and the power to express them.”
It would make a great theme for my next business product: FREEZE DRIED MINERAL WATER.
Bottled water is heavy, heavy, heavy. That’s why boats float on it! I plan to deconstitute
mineral water at its source by freeze drying it. The bottles would then be shipped with all the nutritious, delicious minerals left in-situ. At its destination the consumer just follows one simple instruction: “To Reconstitute – ADD PURE WATER (after opening the bottle).” I hope it is successful. I’m still pissed that Clark Griswold stole my formula for cereal varnish.
Could you post some pictures and comments re your assembly of the fuselage? Are the aluminum skins over the cabin structural? Would it be possible to add a skylight? Could the rear seat windows be enlarged?
Bob
Bob,
I do have photos of the fuselage skins and fuselage assembly. Start with these posts: https://cheerfulcurmudgeon.com/?s=fuselage+skin
In theory, you can cut the skins to allow for larger windows. You can also cut into the roof and add a skylight. In practice, either project would be hard because there are structural components under the windows and under the roof. I am not an aero engineer and cannot tell you how to relocate those pieces.
— Art Z.
Hey Art,
I am looking into building a BD4 and was wondering, how many hours do you have in your build so far? Do you work on it every night? Should I pay for the quick build kit? You know standard questions of the ambitious tire kickers that aren’t ready to pull the trigger.
Thanks
Darren,
I stopped counting hours several years ago when I realized that the FAA does not care about hours.
I work on the plane “most nights.” That was easier when the plane was at home in my garage, harder now that it is 30 minutes away in a hangar at the airport. I encourage you to keep the plane nearby as long as you possibly can.
The quick build kit swaps money for time. I don’t have an answer for whether or not you should pay for it.
Are you near St. Louis, MO? If so, I’d be happy to show you my plane.
— Art Z.