Hi Victor,

I don't have performance data specifically as it relates to the 750, beyond the published data at Jabiru. The 3300 that I have in my 601 has performed well now for about 260 hours. I do the maintenance as per the manual and it just seems to go just fine. CHT was an issue during break in, but has settled down now. Oil temp does climb to near read line on warm day climb out. Both of the above issues I think are related to a bad (early) cowl design. I think the new cowl for both the 750 and 601/650 will solve those issues. My 601 cruises along at near 100 kts @2750 RPM and 4.5 gal/h. I can climb out at a good 800 to 1K ft./min at gross under most altitude and temp conditions...Give or take. I recommend the ground adjustable Sensenich prop. Two thumbs up for the 3300!

Good luck to you on your 750! I roughed in the firewall this evening.

Are US sport pilots allowed into Canada?

Sounds like you know your stuff. I'll start out by saying that so far, the customer support from GRT has been A-1. They always take my call and know exactly what they are talking about. I am a little conflicted with the locations you speak of and what the instructions and what the rep. has told me for the adhrs. First, it is my understanding that Centerline of the airplane and paralal to centerline are two different things. The location of my unit is not centerline, but is parallel with the sport box which is square with the fuse centerline. It was my understanding that this is perfectly OK.

I am just now to a point where I will get into the menu and programming of the EIS/sport. The best I can tell is that my adhrs is very close to dead nut on for all diminsions. Putting it behind the panal would put it next to a lot of farrous/electical environment which is specifically spoken against in the manual. Where it is located now it is within 8" of farrous rivets...but I am hoping that won't matter. I am going to get educated on the matter in the next couple days.

As far as the tank...I did not have any trouble. Everything fit like it was supposed to. Sounds like you got something out of wack, or they sent you a wrong skin. Do you have standard tanks or long range? I'm going to read your notes to me again and think on it.

Chow

OK roger that. So they are happy as long as the unit is parallel with centerline of your plane and level. Tells me a lot about how the software and sensors work. Looks like you also have decent separation between your aerials (assuming top of plane baggage compartment) and sensor for the compass part of the unit.

I think you have a pretty decent compromise and much better location than the crowded console portion and your compass will be much happier.

Knowing the level of expertise at GRT, I think that their software would take care of all the other stuff I was talking about and think my sensor will most likely live in the same spot.

Cheers Vic

Just saw your comment on the tank skin. I have the LR tanks.

That helps a lot just knowing yours fit fine so it must be something Ive done. Dang and I was looking forward to using the ol chain saw to make it fit.

Thanx

I did just think of something on my tank. I did not discover that I had C channal included in my kit until after the tank was installed. I was the first to recieve a LR tank and just assumed I had to fit the thing myself...that being said, I made my own C channal aft supports for the tanks and as far as that goes, all other spacer type channals around the tank. Maybe you are have a tight fit due to the factory not quite having it all figured out and there support channals are not quite right. I would have a look at all that stuff before I would start cuttin out bigger holes.

As far as the paint job....I'm not rested up from finishing up mine. What a job...around 100 hours and lost all my finger prints from sanding. Glad I tackled it though....very rewarding and saved around $4000. I spent about $1800 on materials. Totally recommend PTI paint found at Spruce. Unless you are set on the spray on acid etch...save your money and just use Alumaprep and alidyne.

Morning Mike. Thanx for the comments on fuel tank. Your method of making C channels rocks! Simple but brilliant. First time Ive heard of it. Its the one thing I havnt been able to make in my shop with my little bending break. The C channels are a lot better as Im not sure how you would hold the L in place while trying put the two skins over without using flush rivets or something. Happily made a bunch of the puppies and looking for new apps.

Good comments on the fit. I noticed the change with the predrilled filler neck and drain in my kit. Like you I made my own on the 701 I was building and got a perfect fit. IMHO trying to mate a hand made fuel tank with CNC made skin parts is a little bit ambitions but Im still assuming that Ive mucked something till proven otherwise. Your comments kept me from getting impatient and cutting and instead Ive called in the troops for some help and even did the ultimate un-guy thing and dropped Caleb a line asking for help.

Man, the next thing you know Ill be reading manuals!

Mike, I scanned through the GRT sport manual regarding the mag. Im even more impressed with the company, one of the better manuals i have ummhh, ahhh, scanned (real guys dont read manuals).

Thats really cool, all the accelerometers (electronic attitude indicator) are in your main unit. All you are mounting in the black box is the electronic compass (magnetometer or mag flux compass). It also seems like they may actually use a electronic or electric gyro rather than accelerometers which explains why the experts suggest its one of the few "real" IFR glass cockpit systems. The gyro should be more accurate IMHO.

Anyways so what you have is the electronic attitude indicator mounted in the display and an electronic compass in the black box.

They suggest a minimum of 1 foot from any wiring but later for testing they refer to 2'. I would still suggest a minimum of 2 feet from any wiring especially aerials, more if possible. Your transponder is pumping 250 watts or thereabouts through its aerial which generates a large magnetic field every time it "pulses".

Another great feature is the test screens. You can actually display the output from your mag. in the test page section and even the raw data output. A geeks dream!

I think the notes on calibration are very well written, the only thing I could add would be to suggest that determine the actual MAGNETIC heading of the plane in the hanger before doing the calibration. Your taxiway is usually surveyed so I just subtract 90 degrees from the magnetic bearing of the taxiway and mark a line perpendicular on the hanger floor.

For peace of mind, note that the compass can calibrate for up 120 degrees of error! although they prefer less than 30.

I wouldnt worry about the steel mandrels left in your rivets as a source of error.

GRT comments continued (read after previous post)

I like their suggestion of mounting with sticky tape. I would use this method and move the sensor around in different locations and check to see what the difference is between the actual magnetic heading of the plane and what the black box is reporting.

In short, I wouldnt sweat the mag. installation too much and really look forward to hearing how you made out.

Cheers Vic

Hope this helps.

Lots of good info here....now I don't have to read the manual (I might look at a few pictures). I'll let you know how it all goes. One other thing about GRT, I think their unit is cheaper than the Dynon. I think the main reason so many builders are going with the Dynon is because that is what Roger did. After I read the specs on both, it was easy decision for me.

I will try to remember to bring the pick list home with me tomarrow. I don't have internet at he hanger. I will see if I can't talke Calab into posting some drawings on the door latch.

It has been to cold and snow to get the plane out of the hanger...so I have not done anything with the flux capacitor. When I fire it up where it sits, it appears to be giving correct heading and altitude.

Great information . I am currently using Zinc Chromate spray bombs but I am a little worried about the extra weight. It does go on easy...I may switch the way I prep though. I am currently scuffing with a 3m pad using acetone and then wiping clean with a shop towel. I like the soap and water and may try that as long as i wipe with the acetone.

Thanks again...Leo

Victor, I located the ELT on the left side aft of the access panal against the wall. I spent maybe all of 10 minutes bolting it down. Getting the antinias all lined up was a different deal. I don't recall the cables being an issue.

I put the com next to plexiglass just as you pointed out and then the ELT antenna as far back as the cable would reach...about 5' apart I think...seems to work fine. I noticed on most cherokees, they are only 2' apart. I put both antinnas smack in the middle of the fuse.

Victor...after looking at the drawing, the only thing I can figure out is that it might address an oil canning issue. When you slow to approach speed (50-65), the rear luggage area tends to rattle and buffet...kinda acts like a stall warning. Meaning, when you hear the metal rattling, you know you are going slow. They might be trying to eleminate that. There is also a buffet under your feet that I noticed Roger tried to elemantate with L angle on the belly. Let me know if you find out what the fuse doubles are for.....Right now I am in the middle of negotiating a new ground adjustable prop with JabUSA

I pick-up my kit in a week.  I hope to include many of your great details.  Have you made a decision on your powerplant?

Victor,

Thanks for the comment-I really enjoyed the build.

Bill

Victor,

I learned a lot after reading your extensive comments and viewing your pix on fuel line routing.  I plan to use aluminum tubing also to replace the kit rubber fuel lines. You mentioned that your used professional tube bender. and I found lots of options at Aircraft Spruce.  Which one did you use? 

 

Bill

 

Thanks, Victor,

I found a Ridgid Tools outlet here in Wasilla. and a couple in Anchorage.  Which model did you use?

By the way, have you reached the flying phase yet?

Bill

Hi Victor,

Yep, we are not far away.  My wife and I ha've been up and down the Alcan a lot and Whitehorse is our favorite Canadian town.  We spent a near "lifetime" (four days) there several years ago, but that is a story for another time.  One of the most friendly places to spend some time along that trail in my opinion.

I found several Ridgid tube benders here. The more expensive was the single size bender and your comments eliminated that one.  But the multi-size version was less than 50 $US so I wasn't sure if we have here what you used.  Probably doesn't matter too much.  I'm sure that any bender by Ridgid that works on the size tubing used will be ok.  However, I prefer to get a known quantity... one that is known to do the job.

The Ridgid flare tool is $60 here and I can see that it is a much better made tool than my cheaper plumber's flaring tool. 

An A&P friend of mine stressed to me the importance of building light and for convenient access for maintenance;  your approach and comments are very helpful to me.

Did you use bulkhead fittings at every bulkhead or panel that blocked the route of the lines?  The only negative I see is the increased number of potential leaky connections.  However, if accessible, servicing is easy and preferred to the original design.

Bill