Pedal Plane

24SEP11,
Well I finally got back to the wood shop after 3 long weeks of work and tiring weekends. Fortunately, I was able to cross a major hurdle today.
The only thing I had time for was the bending of fuselage sections. This task is much easier said than done, but it was a great learning process.  I was able to use a standard clothes iron to steam the wood and help facilitate the bending of the sides.

Hopefully my next few postings will involve the assembly of the pedal plane. I am about a weeks behind schedule from where I'd like to be, but I think I can still have the plane completed shortly after Thanksgiving...

I made an order for the hardware kit, metals kit and decals about two weeks ago. I should be receiving those parts within the next 3-4 weeks (hopefully)...

Bending the fuselage. 10 pounds for constant weight on the board while steaming with iron - add any additional pressure with hand.

Two methods to steaming the wood: 1) hold iron about 1 inch above board to heat the section. 2) place a soaked rag on the section and iron directly on the rag.

Patience and extreme care will result in a beautiful bend without cracking or fraying. If you rush this process, the board will break and you will be back to Lowe's for a new sheet of plywood. 

As a reminder, this is the example for a finished product.  (I didn't want anyone loosing sight of the final deal.)

OUR NEW HOME!!!

OUR [soon to be] NEW HOME!!!
We will be living less than 700 feet from the Lake Shawnee flower gardens and walking trails!

We close in mid-October and, as you can see from the picture below, we are quite excited! (Yes, thats bethy in the car).
Feel free to volunteer for moving manpower.

Project #1 Complete!

September 3, 2011
Well I have finally completed "the other plane". This has been an on-going project for something between 10-11 years. I originally built this scooter plane for my youngest brother (Tim) back in 2000 or 2001. I was far too anxious to show off my then just completed project that I encouraged him to go for a test flight while the glue was still wet.  That didn't turn out so well.  After that disastrous ground-loop several years ago, this project set on the bottom shelf of the work bench collecting dust.

I can happily announce that this scooter plane was completed today and has successfully completed several test flights already. I was able to add a stabilizer block between the engine compartment and upper wing as well as two solid struts for the wings. As an added kicker, and since I had several oak scraps laying around, I quickly fashioned a propeller for looks and secured the prop with a coated deck screw so it can spin.

 Charles and his cousin James love this plane so far. Tomorrow we will see if cousin Christine would like to take it up for a test flight.

Side note: Isn't it amazing how such a little thing in life can pop up in your mind from time to time and cause completely unnecessary amounts of stress? I am amazed at how much of a burden has been lifted knowing that this little project is complete and my son can now enjoy his very first airplane.