Badland Part 103 Pilots and Builders Forum

This is going to be fun, Todd! And I love the fact that you will be mentoring Justin through the process. This should be life-changing for him.

I can't wait until you both get to building!

Haha, I learned about the Cleco plyer trick after I was done with mine. And then promptly forgot about it...until you reminded me now!

So there is no turn-buckle to adjust, you have to get the cable right with very accurate measuring? Correct, there is no turnbuckle. You use stacked washers under the tangs to tighten or loosen the flying wires as needed. It's a bit of a dark art to crimp the ferrules when working by yourself, I've ...

I am very much looking forward to your build posts and questions!

Bring it, sir!

I DO know the builder of mine and I STILL have some doubts.

Hi Shon - I have actually never been there (to Torrey Pines) which is almost a sin, since I am somewhat local (in the San Fernando valley). It's actually been years since I've ventured any further south than Long Beach. haha

Hi Shon, and welcome to the forum! Good to have you "aboard"! La Jolla is known for the hang gliding, correct? Or am I thinking of somewhere else? I feel like I recall a YouTube video of a fellow sailing a Mike Sandlin designed glider off the cliffs there. I think it was a Goat glider. Goo...

For swaging the ends of the control cables, make sure you use the gauge to confirm that the swages are properly crimped. I've heard of cables pulling through the swage if it isn't pinched properly. I bought a swage tool kit from A$$ (haha) that works well. It requires a wrench to tighten it, versus ...

Okay, now I'm intrigued...looking forward to that unveiling of your paint job when the time comes!

And now I know WHY pinking is a thing...it's not just there because it looks cool.

As always, a great write-up and detailed pictures. Thanks Bruce!

What are the paint options with the legacy covering systems? I went with Oratex for my build just for this reason - I didn't want to have to paint, and didn't really know much about how to go about it, what paint to use, etc.

Todd, I am currently in the same situation - It's a toss-up between my passion for riding, and the dangers it entails these days, when most people aren't paying attention and staring at their phones. I half joke at times, saying I'd rather be riding around a bunch of drunk drivers than around people...

Very cool video, and interesting bit about ABC essentially single-handedly killing the UL market!

Also, I really like that XTC...very versatile for an ultralight!

Thanks for posting this!

Welcome back Bruce! Sounds like an awesome ride, and that is definitely a comfortable bike to do it on. My motorcycle road trips happen on a Yamaha YZF600R, and it is always a killer on my back. I am actually considering selling the YZF and replacing it with an adventure bike. Looking forward to mor...

To add to this thread, I finally had a chance to test my trailer and found that it hauled the plane better than expected. When locking the control surfaces, one tends to think in terms of the rudder and elevator, but the flaperons shouldn't be forgotten in this equation. I created a "cushion&qu...

I am right there with you...I've had three to date, and the last one was a whopping 9mm. So far the Chanca Piedra seems to have helped - going on five years now! That said, where IS Bruce? I hope all is well with him. I miss the build updates. I always look forward to another detailed post from him.

Funny you mention that!

It has been a but quiet here the last few days. When I checked the forum for the umpteenth time yesterday, I thought to myself "Did Bruce take a vacation?" LOL

Having different classes of UL would be very similar to what the UK does with motorcycle licenses (or at least they used to). You have to work your way up through the displacements before you can buy that CBR1000 you always wanted. Not a bad idea in my opinion.

Not a bad response from AI, with the exception of the info regarding the Thump-air being a bit outdated.

Bruce, your attention to detail (both in your build AND in your documentation) is astounding.

Future builders are going to be very lucky to have both your log and Kurt's. I imagine they would be able to build without the manual if need be!

Yep, I remember seeing that video before I had even placed my order with Chris. However, that truck is a fair bit larger than mine, and I don't think he had that far to haul his to get to the flying area. I actually thought about hauling it tail first on the cab of the truck, but I don't think I wan...

Thanks Rusty! I actually never minded pulling a trailer. I got plenty of practice with a Baja Bug, a 26 foot sailboat, snowmobiles and a race bike.

The truck transport was far less stressful than I thought it was going to be. Now if only I could do the same with the entire plane!

I have what I believe is the first actual kit sold. I took it home from Vegas during the pandemic. I brought the fuselage home on 4/26/2020. The wings were delivered by Chris much later (for a very reasonable cost) and he helped me hang them. PlaneonTruck.jpg I'm a bit ashamed to admit that it's bee...

Looking great Bruce. I am loving watching the build move forward. Once thing to keep in mind in regards to the transport struts...unless you intend to remove the flaperons every time you fold the wings, they aren't going to tuck in quite that tightly. I believe my wings fold to 8'2" from outsid...

Looking good Bruce. You are definitely being meticulous in the process of mounting the wings. Very impressive.

This build log is likely to be invaluable to future kit builders! Between your build and Kurt's, there's plenty of good information to be found here!

Haha, I only zoomed in because it was something I had thought about recently...what would be the repercussions of that tube sliding out of the sheath? Would it bind the aileron controls? I'm sure I'm overthinking it, but that piece is crimped in (I believe) so it makes me wonder. These are the thing...

Agreed. An excellent source of information for future builders. I'm curious about the clear hose "sleeve" on the flaperon cable near the mounting bracket. I wonder if the metal sheath was pulling out and creating a potential binding issue. Something I need to worry about on my cables, perh...

Thanks for the continued very thorough write-ups! Your build is coming along beautifully! I actually bought a big bag of the epoxy mixing nozzles and used them. While they remove the task of mixing the epoxy by hand, they DO waste a lot of epoxy, as you end up throwing the nozzle away if there is a ...

Like you, it took me a bit of time before I was comfortable enough to truly enjoy the build process. I did hit some snags along the way, but once I got past the idea that anything could be fixed (or replaced) if messed up, my nerves settled and I kept moving forward. Prior to my build I didn't reali...

Todd, isn't aluminum the same? (Oxidizes and as a result creates it's own protective coating?) Bruce, I take it your flaperons are not yet built (hence the droopers being "free and clear" to paint)? I imagine the inside of the drooper can stay clear of paint, since the nylon sleeve will es...

Interesting and very informative. Bruce, were your struts already cut to length? I'm sure aspects of the kit have changed over time, but as I recall I fitted my brackets to the spars first, then cut the struts to fit. (To be honest, it's been a while so I may be mistaken about that.)

Great idea creating this thread!

I can't remember where I bought my 9460 during my build, but it WAS a struggle to find it as I recall.

Like Todd, I also love video. Bruce, very nice job aligning the wings! Looking good.

"I was wanting a high wing, tailwheel, tractor configuration, 4130 welded fuselage, true 3 axis control, with preferably folding wing."

These were exactly the criteria I had when shopping for a UL, and the Badland delivers in all regards.

Bruce, I really like that fuselage stand. Definitely handy down the line for tire changes or any work on the main gear. I may have to mimic that in the future!

Your build is coming along nicely. Keep those updates coming!

Funny that Bruce mentions the covering being the part of the build most people dread or try to avoid. I was guilty as charged, but once I got started on the covering and became more comfortable with it, it became one of the favorite parts of the build. It also didn't require all that much space to d...

I stand in solidarity with Rusty.

Forced landing done right. You should be proud. I would be...

"This is one of the reasons I started the forum - I need LOTS OF HELP!

"

Now that is planning ahead! haha

My guess would be an increase in max speed. Curious to hear what Chris says!

Haha they aren't that low res and the welds still look good. As long as the penetration is there...(obligatory "that's what she said" thrown in).

Bring it, Todd! We'll be braced and ready! haha

Nice looking setup! And those welds look pretty good to me!

"There have been multiple builders complete their build without a single technical question." Sadly, I don't think I was one of them, but Chris was great at answering any questions I had, stupid or otherwise. :lol: I think the biggest part for me was being afraid to start...once I crossed ...

Unfortunately I am not coming up with any easy solutions. It looks like you have everything set up correctly in the pictures (and there aren't really too many ways to "veer off course" here).

You may need to reach back out to Chris and see what he can advise.

Peer

Well, at least we're not having to fax each other. LOL

Thanks Todd! Great tip about the status icon being yellow or green. I had never noticed that.

Hey Kurt - I have recently had similar issues with posting images. It seems to take me a try or two before they actually show up. I'm not sure why, but I wouldn't be surprised if I am maybe missing a step, since I do it so rarely...it also doesn't help that I'm not the most computer savvy person... ...

Check under the Ksatter build log - section titled "Rudder/Tailwheel Sorings". He has a great tailwheel pic there.

Just in case a link works...

viewtopic.php?t=414

I believe Kurt has the round aluminum spring setup. You will likely find a picture of his setup in his build log (or discussion...I'll see if I can find it and link it.

Thanks! I'm curious to see what the new set-up looks like (and I'm sure Craig will appreciate it as well)!

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