Wind Turbines and Light Aircraft a Slippery Subject a Tricky Combination Homebuilder’S Corner
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The Spirit of Homebuilt Aviation I www.eaa.org Vol.2 No.5 I May 2013 A Historic Homebuilt Found Restoring the prototype Pazmany PL-4A Engine Lubrication Wind Turbines and Light Aircraft A slippery subject A tricky combination Homebuilder’s Corner Volunteers… AirVenture wouldn’t happen without you By Rick Weiss, Chairman, EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council The spring flying season appears to be off to a good Still other volunteers can be found moving aircraft in start, at least by the activity observed at the Sun ’n Fun and out of the Homebuilt Aircraft Hangar for detailed International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Florida, in April. presentations, which provides visitors with the op- By the time you read this, we’ll be less than 100 days portunity to see unique aircraft up close and personal. away from the start of the largest aviation gathering on Volunteers are also involved in staging aircraft for the planet. EAA staff planning is well underway, and has flight as they pass in review during the week. There are been for some time, to identify the areas on the ground other folks who, because of their extensive and unique that require additional attention, to complete construc- experience, volunteer to speak at homebuilt aircraft tion of permanent venues such as additional new, gatherings, such as the Technical Counselor and Flight air-conditioned restrooms, to prepare the grounds to Advisor Breakfast and the annual Homebuilder’s Dinner. alleviate trouble areas for aircraft taxiing, and to select Still more volunteers step up to lead the homebuilt air- and schedule air show performers, among other things. craft’s “feet on the ground” support team by serving on the Volunteer Chairmen’s Committee, and of course, the To accomplish putting on the most diverse and great- members of your Homebuilt Aircraft Council are volun- est aviation gathering in the world, the EAA staff, which teers. More volunteers step up to chair and lead every numbers about 120 people, must rely on its most impor- individual tactical area that is required for the homebuilt tant asset—EAA volunteers. Nearly 5,000 volunteers are community to run safely and smoothly at AirVenture. involved in ensuring that EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is run There are also volunteers to assist other volunteers safely and smoothly without incident. This has become by providing sandwiches and drinks for those who are a part of life for many EAA members. They are the ones unable to take time to find lunch. Every volunteer is who step up and perform virtually hundreds, if not thou- special and treasured by EAA. sands, of tasks that must be done to park and register nearly 10,000 airplanes and make sure that the 700,000 As you have surmised by now, it takes a lot of volun- or so attendees can experience the EAA adventure we teers to prepare and operate all those activities so that call AirVenture. attendees can enjoy the outstanding experience we call AirVenture. As a year-round volunteer, I can assure you The homebuilt aircraft community is fortunate to have the paid staff at EAA is extremely grateful for all who a large share of volunteers. They can be seen park- volunteer and help make our annual convention the suc- ing aircraft, registering and providing transportation cess that it is, helping EAA be the outstanding organiza- for visiting pilots from the parking area to homebuilt tion that it is. From one volunteer to another, thank you aircraft headquarters, judging aircraft, recording live for all you do! Hints for Homebuilders videos, and providing hundreds of educational forums and hands-on workshops for I’ll look forward to seeing you at AirVenture 2013 on July aircraft builders. 29 through August 4. On the cover: T e Pazmany PL-4A restored by Ron Wright and Greg LePine. (Photography by Greg LePine) 2 Vol.2 No.5 /May 2013 Contents Vol.2 No.5 / May 2013 I A publication of the Experimental Aircraft Association Features » 10 A Lost and Found Homebuilt » 18 A D-I-Y Glass Panel The saga of a Pazmany PL-4A My technical journey By Ron Wright By Bill DeRouchey Jr. Departments Columns » 28 » 2 Homebuilder’s Corner Under the Cowl By Rick Weiss Engine Lubrication By Tim Kern » 4 E-Mail » Letters and links from readers 32 Safety Wire Corrosion and Foreign Materials By Chuck Burtch » 6 News from EAA HQ News from EAA » 36 Light Plane World Wind Turbines and Light Aircraft » 8 Flightline By Dan Grunloh Industry News » 41 Flight Test Techniques » 26 Hints for Homebuilders Flight Path Stability Build a Better Workbench Test Technique By Cy Galley By Ed Kolano » 45 If I Can Do This Big Lessons Write Small By Hal Bryan EAA Experimenter 3 E-Mail How About an App? This is really not a good format for the digital version and is a pain to use. Why not have an PUBLICATIONS STAFF iPad app like AOPA or use Zinio? This is typical of the fi rst digital formats that were used and basically is old technology for web browsers. Please update to current technology and Founder: Paul H. Poberezny get your readers going on tablets using current technology. A very good magazine like the Publisher: Jack J. Pelton, EAA Experimenter deserves better. Chairman of the Board Vice President of Publications: Ron Chauffe J. Mac McClellan EAA 695709 Technical Specialist—Homebuilts: Chad Jensen We agree 100 percent, Ron. EAA is working on apps for both Experimenter and Sport Aviation, Editor: Mary Jones/EditEtc. LLC and we’re hoping they will be ready this summer…perhaps by AirVenture 2013. Until then, you Graphic Designer: Chris Livieri can save it as a PDF and view it on your iPad offl ine. (That’s what we do.) We’ll get there. – Eds. News Editor: Ric Reynolds Copy Editor: Colleen Walsh Multimedia Journalist: Brady Lane FlyRotax Is a Great Website, Too Visual Properties Administrator: Jason Toney I just read Tim Kern’s article in Experimenter on buying a used Rotax engine…It was well Contributing Writers: Hal Bryan, done and fi lled with great information. I will refer to it a great deal, I am sure. Budd Davisson, Dan Grunloh, Tim Kern, Ed Kolano, Dave Prizio, Rob Ray, Sparky I wish you had directed folks to www.FlyRotax.com as well as RotaxOwner.com. Barnes Sargent, Ken Scott European Correspondent: Marino Boric We actually prefer FlyRotax.com. We are members of RotaxOwner.com, and it is a good site; but our primary source of service information comes from FlyRotax.com. This is the factory site rather than a factory-authorized site. In addition to access to continued airworthiness information directly, you can fi nd all the factory-authorized dealers and technicians. ADVERTISING Carol Carpenter Display Corona, California Sue Anderson Jeff Kaufman How Do You Read Experimenter? Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086 I noticed the note asking for viewer feedback in the April issue, so I thought I’d second the Phone: 920-426-4800 original submitter in saying that the PDF downloads are the best. Fax: 920-426-4828 E-mail: [email protected] I’m a little behind in reading through the last few issues, but I do skim each one on download Website: www.EAA.org just for an idea what is inside. But having a “local” PDF is the best for me by far; it’s available for me to sit down and read anytime, wherever I am (including on my iPad) regardless of Need to change your address whether I have good Wi-Fi (or not!). or have other membership questions, call 800-564-6322 By the way, the same goes for EAA Sport Aviation as well…I still like the paper copy when (800-JOIN EAA). I’m reading at home and use the PDF when away. EAA® and SPORT AVIATION®, the EAA Jason Reene Logo® and AERONAUTICATM are registered EAA 757522 trademarks, trademarks, and service marks of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. The use of these trademarks and I am very pleased with Experimenter and hope it is continued. I ran across it three months service marks without the permission of ago and now look for it and read it pretty much in its entirety. I’m not too sure about how to the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. download it, but plan to fi nd out and will save it for future reference. is strictly prohibited. E. Alan Christiansen EAA 6929 4 Vol.2 No.5 /May 2013 BUY NOW & SAVE! ticket wSave on every daily and weekly adult hen you purchase before June 15, 2013. Tora! Tora! Tora! returns Catch CAF’s ‘Ghost Squadron’ B-29 Superfortress FIFI and B-24 Liberator Diamond Lil TWO Night Air Shows - Wednesday and Saturday Presented by Rockwell Collins See The 4CE in action Rock out with Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band Presented by Disabled American Veterans Reignite your passion All in one week July 29-August 4 | AirVenture.org/tickets Advance ticketing made possible by Copyright © 2013 EAA May 2013 EAA Experimenter 2 News From HQ AirVenture Adds Midweek Night Air Show EAA added a second night air show for EAA AirVenture Osh- kosh 2013, scheduled for Wednesday, July 31. “The additional night show is being scheduled this year in • AeroShell Aerobatic Team (T-6s) response to those EAA members and AirVenture attendees • Bob Carlton (jet sailplane) who said they missed this phenomenal event because they • Matt Younkin (Beech 18) came to Oshkosh earlier in the week,” said Jim DiMatteo, • Gene Soucy (Showcat) EAA vice president of AirVenture features • Steve Oliver (Super Chipmunk) and attractions.