Earthstar Forums

(aka Martin's eGull)
Got the fuselage and wing tips back from the painter. PTI "PT-799" red.
Nice match with the Oratex fabric (on the rudder and horiz. stab).
Installing windows, waiting for propulsion system.

All windows and the door are installed! I even installed the seat and the
horizontal for a photo shoot - see attached.

With my bathroom scale I measure exactly 150lb for the fuselage (including
door, tail feathers, seat, but no instruments). Previously, I had weighed
the wing at somewhere between 120 and 130 lbs. That means, I have reached
the legal weight limit for Ultralights, before motor / controller, PSRU and
prop. Per Mark, I am not going to worry about that, but I will have to
study the fine print on any insurance policy.

very pretty; more a kind of red chilli... ;)

very pretty; more a kind of red chilli... ;)

Martin -
Thanks for the weight info. On your wing, which length is it? Is it the lighter aluminum center wing box section with fabric outboard, or the all aluminum version?

My wing is the 28 ft version. I used lightweight Oratex for the outer
sections. Should be as light as you can get with 28 ft span.

Thanks Martin.

Awesome, that’s the version I would like the weigh info for. If you get a chance to weigh the wing again, or can find the old number, would be interested to know if it’s the 120 or 130 lbs…



Thanks

Oratex vs. Aluminum for wing covering:
I am curious how much of an improvement Martin will achieve
with the Oratex fabric. I would think that by eliminating the exposed rivets
you will have less drag and better laminar flow over the wing thus better
performance on the upper end and slightly lower stall speeds.
Keep us posted
Thanks , Carl

Still not flying, but oh so close!

I finished the panel over the weekend. It contains a Flightline comm radio
(with ceiling speaker and gooseneck mike), a "Cycle Analyst" (to show all
pertinent battery charge and discharge data), a GRT "Mini-X" EFIS (with
remote magnetometer, GPS antenna, OAT sensor, plummed to pitot and static
lines), and a place for my Samsung 8.4" tablet. The tablet can display a
moving map or sectional (Avare) and/or motor data (via Bluetooth from the
controller). I also have a USP port in the panel that is connected to the
mini-USB on the back of the EFIS and an audio-in port into the radio. I
hacked a USB / 12V power adapter and wired it to a fuse to provide 5V for
the tablet. Note that I mounted the breaker panel and terminal strip on a
sub-panel that is hinged on the bottom of the main panel so that it can be
unhooked and swung down for access.

The stick has a PTT switch and a memory-toggle switch.

When I turn on the key switch, the strobes, EFIS and Cycle Analyst come on
(the radio has an off switch). Since there is no starter to cause the bus
to brown-out, I figure I can get away without an avionics master switch.
Before I can apply power to the motor, I have to throw the kill switch
mounted on the base of the stick. One of the photos shows the charger
installed in the nose.

The plan was for Mark to haul the Quark up to Arlington, then drop it off
at Twin Oaks for a first flight (with Mark at the controls). I would then
trailer the fuselage back to my shop to finish the avionics, before flying
the Quark myself. Unfortunately, Mark ran into a scheduling crunch (having
to build a two-plane trailer ahead of Arlington and Airventure), and we
missed the opportunity. Mark, when would you be able to come up in your
Odyssey, for some transition training and first flight?

Meanwhile, I'll haul the plane out to Twin Oaks and assemble the wing, so
that I can fit the motor/controller cowl. I'll do some (slow) taxi testing,
and familiarize myself with the avionics. I am looking for some hangar
space for a couple weeks; after I'm flying, the Quark will be tied down on
the turf (near an AC outlet). Bruce, I hope to have the plane on display at
the breakfast on 8/1.

Martin, I noticed that there is no parachute in the nose, and it looks like you have a plywood floorboard but maybe it’s there temporarily while building the panel. Looks good, and would love to see it here at Arlington next year.