The SuperSTOL project is coming along nicely. I received the engine in perfect time as it went on the day it arrived. April 23 is the day it got here. (Rotax 914 Turbo) The fuse is all painted and all the small components are done as well. The panel went in this weekend, and I am hard at the wiring. This project has been a challenge though. There are no instructions for any of the systems. You are on your own. The engine system is totally different to a Lycoming from what I am used to as well. Thankfully the past projects have given me lots of good ideas to make the plane the best I can.

The big challenge was the panel, as I had to make all the avionics and switches clear the truss that is in behind it. Fortunately it worked on the first try and I did not have to cut it twice. The plan was to keep this plane simple, but I do not think I succeeded at that when you look behind the panel. Things like adding a fuel flow meter and then realizing you needed two because of the return line does not help. G3x needs a separate back up battery? There is no internal one? More things to just keep adding.

I have the wing in the booth and both wings should be sprayed out in the next couple of weeks. It will be nice when they are done so I can cut the booth size in half. I am trying to combine painting with wiring and such so I don’t have to be waiting around for paint to dry. I have made many orders to Aircraft Spruce as you can never think of everything when you are designing as you go.

All in all I am happy with the progress. I am just over 9 months in and it is starting to look like something. I figure I have 1000hrs in and likely a few months of work left. It’s amazing how many new skills you learn each time you build a plane. If you are interested in building, don’t just talk about it, get started. It is great fun. Just make sure you never add up all the bills. 