Ever built two planes at once?

[jdub]

It's been a while since I checked in here.  I have been flying my Cassutt around WA and OR and will go over a hundred hours on the airframe this weekend (and Cassutt flight time).  I've just brushed the surface on unlocking a little more speed.  I can't emphasize rigging enough!!  If interested my YouTube is Cassutt#94.

My Tailwind is just getting started.  It was supposedly going to be a flying airplane in short order but has been whittled down to a set of wings, parts, and an n-number.  I'm going to build a new fuselage after some soul searching.  The real gem as of late is I have come across some V-Witt stuff and also have some extra Cassutt parts like a fuel tank, etc that will definitely work as well.  I am all in on a V-Witt now.

It might be cool to at least weld the fuselages side by side-that's my thinking.

The Cassutt has grown on me.  It is a wonderful little airplane, as are a lot of these racers, and not just as racers.  It's a wonderful economical cross country airplane.  It's a kid magnet at flyins and airshows (and single moms haha).  It's a conversation piece wherever I go.  I have also met a lot of people, including those that probably wouldn't give me the time of day otherwise.  I've made new friends.  Keep building these racers.  It is SO worth it!!

As for Formula V, I'd be interested if there were a couple more folks in the area with a project or a flying V.  The Tailwind would probably take a back seat...


if there is anyone here close to Pasco WA with one of these, or any racer, fast bipe, whatever, I'd gladly meet up and we can do some flying.  

Jerry in Tri Cities, WA

[dmar836]

Hi Jerry. I’ve seen some of your flying videos. What fun! The world is shrinking but you are still having the connection problem being on a coast. We have similar interests as we’ve considered a Tailwind build in the future.
There’s a guy on homebuiltairplanes that’s currently welding up a V-Witt fuse. There have been a few discussions on there including the necessary parts.
Are you by chance the fellow with the V-Witt cone and parts for sale in the Spokane area? That was posted on the homebuilt forum a little while back.

Dave

[Supervee]

Yes, I have built two planes at once, but towards the end I had to proceed with just one of them due to time, space, and $$$
The cool thing about two at once is that if you get stale on one, or are waiting for materials, you can just walk ten feet to the other one and keep building....ED

[jdub]

Dave and Ed,

I think that is Mike J that is welding the fuselage-saw a comment on FB about it. This is my third Tailwind project...they are outstanding airframes! $$$ are an issue right now (thanks to Dave Ramsey for giving me the idea to pay off debts-who'd have thunk?), so I've been mostly cutting and refining small parts for the W8.

The Spokane parts are the ones that I am looking at. They were off a once flying V-Witt. If the parts don't end up with me, I have a couple more avenues to pursue that wouldn't make it a true V-Witt, but a Bonzo or something radically different with a Verner...I am keeping my fingers crossed though. Another thought was a Knight Twister with a Verner as well. The stars will align somehow for something I have a feeling.

I met a gent at the WAAM fly in in Hood River, OR recently who has a goal of having a livery of the Heath racers (Baby Bullet, etc). I need to go see those...http://www.antiqueairfield.com/articles/show/722-more-heath-racer-photos.

If you're ever in the Hood River area, the WAAM museum is special. Flying antique airplanes-too many to list! I could spend a week hanging out in there.

Whether I ever race or not, I am enamored by these little racers we can build. I'm really looking forward to the next flying season! I think this winter I'm going to refine the Cassutt a little more then I'm all in for building.

More videos on the way next week (I make them when I travel for work).

Jerry

[dmar836]

Jerry,
I listen to Ramsey about every day at least for a bit on the way or the return from the airport. We are debt free including the house and it's all a game changer! You'll love it. Life is expensive even with no debt but it's sure a lot better paying it forward than backward!
I thought those V-Witt pieces were a bit steep but you certainly couldn't have them made for that. As mentioned on this forum, Aircraft Spruce cut me some spars for mine then offered the rest of the run(I think two more sets) for about 33% less. Glad I could help you all! Not much demand I guess. The flying wires are from Steen and were made to my specs. About $1800! Likely a surplus wire in the late 60s but I'm not sure if from a Stearman or what. When you get to that point I can measure if needed. They are kind of important so I'm sort of glad they cost a lot!

I have a friend who has agreed to test fly mine for me. I'm tailwheel endorsed but these little things will be a change for me. Looking forward to it!

Dave

[jdub]

Dave,

You own your own house! That's awesome! Two divorces put me so far behind...two years ago I was my annual salary in debt. By the end of December it will be 0, but I don't own a house yet.

For the first flight I imagine there will be similarities to the Cassutt, but also differences-the main ones being trim and flaps. Flying a Cassutt is constant stick pressure. The hardest thing to get used to is the flare height.I was advised a couple of things to get right on one of these designs-the fuel vent because there is very little head pressure, and the canopy latch system. Both are multiple killers. My vent is "correct" and works when the level is 2 and more inches below the filler neck. I never top off the Cassutt-the result is on video as it sloshed into the vent on a takeoff run. Thank the guy above I had not left the ground yet. Also an oil cooler is essential. You'll be fine and you will love flying it! Soon it will all be muscle memory.

Jerry

[jdub]

Dave,

Are you close to being finished? Planning on Oshkosh next year? My folks live in northeast Nebraska and I am in the initial planning to fly the Cassutt to Oshkosh...maybe we could meet up and fly the rest of the way if you're thinking of going...

Jerry

[dmar836]

Boy, I would sure like to have the V-Witt done by OSH ‘20! It will be the 50th anniversary of SJ’s V-Witt reveal. Not that EAA would really care anymore. It has heightened my build intensity.
I just finished the fab and welding of my fuel tank and no leaks! Kinda shocked.
I’ll certainly keep everyone up to date.
I meant to add earlier that my extension shaft was slightly undersized either through machining or wear so if you look at those parts you will want a 1-2” micrometer and measure the place where the carrier bearing rides. Take, or borrow, a mic with .0001 capability(read on the back side of the thimble, as Steve calls this a “critical dimension”. If that’s not something you dabble in much I can walk you through it on Skype it something like that.
Dave

[dmar836]

Jerry,
Assuming you posted that pic from a third party site? I haven’t figured out a better way here. The Facebook page became more popular but I quit FB. Curious to see pics of your fuel vent and your canopy release. I have ideas but would love to see others.
Dave

[jdub]

Dave,

I will need about a week-I'm heading out in a couple of hours to Michigan for work. I'll have my hard drive with me though, so I may be able to find a random pic.

The Cassutt builders manual recommended two locations for the fuel vent-wing leading edge or an inlet on the bottom of the fuselage for the high air pressure in both spots-and the bottom inlet wont leak if upside down. If one of these racers goes down, it doesn't take much to flip it over. I carry a bowie knife (read Harbor Freight) in the cockpit for a canopy breaker also. I do need an extinguisher though...

Jerry