Click on Terry Fielden's Youngster to learn more about
FFP's Youngster
Why A Youngster!
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
Just over 100 hours and three months finished the wings
The work on the fuselage began 8/24/2000
Work being done here pertains to the fuselage and tail feather assembly
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.
This page covers the covering and painting process!
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