Preparing to buy eGull?

mkoxxy · Post by **mkoxxy** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:30 pm

There is a lot of Alclad on the wing, and I rather like the polished look.
But the clincher was that Oratex did not come in wide-enough versions to do
a single wrap. And, as light-weight as Oratex is (I used the lighter weight
on the wing), it would still have added a few pounds (plus cost). Also,
don't forget that there are regions of negative pressure when in flight.
Here is another photo. Flaps are all aluminum, but ailerons are Oratex, for
better roll rate.

mark_drz · Post by **mark_drz** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:38 pm

Yeah. I get it. I was sorta just thinking about the stab only. Did you do a full cover or just aft of the dcell on the stab?

Mark Drzymkowski

mkoxxy · Post by **mkoxxy** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:06 pm

The stab is small enough to do a full wrap, and as I said earlier, I did
not want to risk leading seam delamination back there, in all that
turbulence.

earthstaraircraft · Post by **earthstaraircraft** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:34 pm

Glue down all the areas that contact
The skin or structure securely.
This is imperative!
Both for Oratex and stits.
Happy Flying
Mark
Sent from my iPhone

mkoxxy · Post by **mkoxxy** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:17 pm

Mark is right. And leading seams get a 3" (I think) tape for extra
strength. Several of us have experience with Oratex now, so when you get
closer, just ask!

raystl1 · Post by **raystl1** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 11:41 pm

Looks like this old dog will be learning new tricks.

Thanks.

cossitt.alan · Post by **cossitt.alan** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 11:55 am

That's great news Ray! I don't know if it is possible. Time and financial
constraints may get in the way. But if you could, have you considered
starting the kit build at Earthstar where you have hands on access to
Mark's expertise? Mark is incredibly generous with his time over the phone
but its not the same as having him present to show you the nuances of
building. I'm sure Mark has an idea of what he would like to teach each of
his kit builders. I spent a summer at Earthstar rebuilding my aircraft (and
knocking 50 lbs of weight off of it) and learned a great deal (like how to
build a wing that doesn't oilcan, etc). Even a couple of weeks would
probably help.

My 2-cents.

-Alan

cossitt.alan · Post by **cossitt.alan** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 11:59 am

Here is me, Mark and the rest of the crew during my first engine start. I
was a bit nervous!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjQ_AeuJBsw

-Alan

raystl1 · Post by **raystl1** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 1:59 pm

Alan, that is a great idea unfortunately inot really feasible in my case. Being in New Brunswick, Canada, I am on the opposite side of the continent from Mark.

I am still optimistic, partly from building three aircraft already. All were very different from each other, as is this one. Build projects are very therapeutic for me. I will enjoy learning the new skills needed to do a good job. The eGull is just about ideal for my mission goals, in fact the only aircraft available that can do it “off the shelf” at this time.

I will be using Martin's Quark as a reference design. Mine will be very similar to his except for a larger battery and extra onboard charger so I can recharge twice as fast at a destination then return home before dark.

I expect to learn much from Mark and will try not to waste his time. And I will shamelessly steal any good idea that I can use. Already have.

Looking forward to this project.
taht

--Ray

---In Earthstar_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, <lownslowav8r@...> wrote :

That's great news Ray! I don't know if it is possible. Time and financial constraints may get in the way. But if you could, have you considered starting the kit build at Earthstar where you have hands on access to Mark's expertise? Mark is incredibly generous with his time over the phone but its not the same as having him present to show you the nuances of building. I'm sure Mark has an idea of what he would like to teach each of his kit builders. I spent a summer at Earthstar rebuilding my aircraft (and knocking 50 lbs of weight off of it) and learned a great deal (like how to build a wing that doesn't oilcan, etc). Even a couple of weeks would probably help.

My 2-cents.

-Alan

mkoxxy · Post by **mkoxxy** » Tue Jan 23, 2018 11:59 am

(sorry - been out of the loop while recovering from flu+ear infection)

Ray, Mark B, it occurred to me that this may be the right time to talk
about the counterweight in the nose of the horizontal stab. After covering
the stab with Oratex, I found the nose to be way too heavy - the ballast
was meant to balance Stits or Polyfiber. It took me three days to drill
approx. 2.5 lb of lead out of the tubes in the leading edge, and I would
have liked to remove another 1/2 pound (got too difficult). This would be
better done before covering, but I did not know beforehand how much to
remove. For Oratex-covered stabs, I would suggest to start with a stab
assembly that has 3 pounds less lead. I realize you want to end up with a
slight down-force on the leading edge (up-elevator), mainly to keep the
anti-servo tab out of the weeds when parked / moving by hand. The tab will
have no problem trimming this slight imbalance. Mark, did I get all this
right?

[image: Inline image 6] [image: Inline image 1][image: Inline image 5][image:
Inline image 7]