Welcome to my
Youngster "V" Builder's log!
And Flight adventures!

Read here about my Trip to Oshkosh!



Click on Terry Fielden's Youngster to learn more about FFP's Youngster
 

Why A Youngster!

     While attending Oshkosh in 1996 I ran into this little bird at the Fisher Aero booth near the Entrance to the "Fly Market".  If you ask my wife, she would say that I felt it was calling my name!  What attracted it to me was the Simplicity, and open air fun that could be had.  Having experience with the VW engine, I was also excited about the cost savings when using it for a power plant.  I like working with wood, and had experience with it from several KR projects I had in years past.  I combed over it for at least a hour and a half taking pictures and answering the many questions people had as they passed by, intrigued by it, and the VW bolted onto the front.  Mike Fisher's son came over and pretty much asked me if I could use a job in sales!?  From there I took all the information I would ever need, and headed home to dream.  I knew however it would have to wait at least until I finished the Sonerai "I" project you see on my other pages.  I'll try to leave an Icon on each page that will allow you to e mail me directly.  Feel free to use it for any questions or interest.
    Over the year of building this airplane I have spent great amounts of time, building this web page to allow anyone to get a real idea of just what it would take to build their own, Youngster, or any other basic homebuilt.

Project to Airplane!


It is time to fly!
This page is to relate the experiences of bringing the project, painfully described in the pages below,
to its logical completion.  It's first flight, and subsequent test flights



 
 

Here, the Project began

     I have broke down the building process to the major components to allow logical navigation.  After the beginning comments below, I'll link you to different pages that deal with the major components of this, and any aircraft building projects.  All projects seem to start with the wings and end up with the engine, so that's they way I'll attempt to lay it out.  Wish me luck!
    You may notice that there are areas that  may seem to be slower in progress on the aircraft.  This can be deceptive if one is not familiar with the construction of an aircraft. This is mainly at the point where the gross construction is completed.  From this point, any work that is done, is being done to the final configuration.  Proper and final fit, bolts, alignment, lock nuts, etc must be determined and found, to make everything right for the safety of the project, and to get the nod from the FAA..  All the super structure is finished now, so everything not involved in systems (flight controls, fuel, rigging) is cosmetic in nature.  After working all day, sitting at my desk trying to add something of interest, would become frustrating, seeing and feeling no sense of real progress, and I'm in the middle of it!?  Sometimes the biggest achievement, is a decision.  Not everything in building an aircraft, even from a kit, is totally laid out for you in the plans.  Those diligent would see the activity again increase once I started the fabric covering.
 
 

The building table
6/1/2000

Where all projects begin, the construction of a table! The construction table was completed, using the kit crate, as the lower leg supports.  Table was then topped with 3/4" MDF after the table was braced, and extensively, and repeatedly leveled, with a 48" level, and checked with a water level.  Any over kill yet?     The kit crate was then opened, and parts pertaining to the wing construction were removed and placed on the table for inspection and logistics planning.


War of the Wings!

Just over 100 hours and three months finished the wings


 Fuselage Follies!

The work on the fuselage began 8/24/2000
Work being done here pertains to the fuselage and tail feather assembly
 


Gear Grinding!


 Here I cover the entire landing gear, rigging, and flight control systems.
 

At the completion of this section I've logged about 248 hours building the project!
A rule of thumb should say that at this point, you are about 1/2 way through the man hours to be put in a project.


It's a cover up!


This page covers the covering and painting process!
 
 


Honest Engines!
 

1835cc VW


At long last, a final product of the labor
There are some pretty big picture files here, but hope they are worth the wait


 

contact me, Jim Hardy
jehardy@nortexinfo.net

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