Mike Armstead
  • Troy, AL
  • United States
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  • Louis W. Ott
  • Jake Reyna
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Mike Armstead's Page

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC XL
Project Status
Nearly done
Building From
Kit
Building Experience
Have already built an airplane
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Engineer

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Mike Armstead's Blog

Jabiru Muffler to engine distance

Posted on December 19, 2009 at 8:54pm 2 Comments

Can someone measure and post the distance from the top of their muffler to the Carb heat shield.

Thanks,
Mike

Dynon Autopilot

Posted on December 14, 2009 at 8:03pm 1 Comment

Does anyone have any experience with a Dynon autopilot on the 601xl. I already have the flightdeck 180 and am considering adding the servo's. This setup is considerably cheaper than most and I was just wandering how well it works with the 601xl.

Thanks,
Mike

Comment Wall (18 comments)

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At 8:30pm on February 6, 2010, Jake Reyna said…
Mike, thanks for telling me about the new drill, buddy ;-) I'm not going to get rid of my Milwaukee, but didn't I mention something in the past about working with stone age tools?

Still working on the first wing. I just set the line for the L angles in the top skin and will drill in the morning, then it's time to reattach the nose skin and I'm mostly done. The best part is I get to do it all over again ..... you know the drill, no, not the Craftsman.

How's it going?

Jake
At 8:08am on January 30, 2010, Jake Reyna said…
Mike, the 1x1 angle on the rear spar will really add strength. Your skills continue to amaze me.

Wing update, I was very, very optimistic on my timeline, but it is going well.
At 10:37am on January 28, 2010, Jake Reyna said…
I may have been a bit optimistic about completing both wings by Monday. I'll try your version of rivet removal on the next wing. I was stuck last time, my wife wasn't around to help me move the wing.
At 1:39pm on January 27, 2010, Jake Reyna said…
Mike, I was thinking that was what you were doing when you mentioned it last week or so. I was heading down that path, but stumbled across the "Navy Method" and it works really well. I did time myself, 1 minute 45 seconds from drill out to tap out. It's still a 3-4 hour task overall.

Thanks for posting your idea. This can be a difficult task and more options is more better :-) Now I'm getting cocky and hope to have both wings done in one week, by next Monday.

How was Sebring?
At 10:58am on January 20, 2010, Jake Reyna said…
Didn't think of using my Router, duh! I have one mounted on my table saw wing. Sometimes I forget how to do it the easy way.
At 7:25am on January 20, 2010, Jake Reyna said…
Mike, making the new angle longer makes sense, longer should be stronger! I don't have a mill or lathe, so I'll have to use my stone age tools. I was thinking of adding a doubler of sorts on the overlap.

I've been in contact with the DAR to make sure he is up to speed on the Upgrade. We may get some new guidance after Sebring from the FAA, ZAC and AMD, but it won't change the path.

Shaped my rear attach plates last night and I'll be tapping those in later. Looks like I've finally reached the end of the fuselage Upgrade.

I had it in my mind that you lived in the mid-West and it was a long way to go to Sebring. Alabama makes more sense and a trip I would make in the Winter.
At 2:59pm on January 19, 2010, Jake Reyna said…
Mike, I'm finishing up the fuselage today. That doesn't mean I'm done with the fuselage, I'm working on some other stuff. I'm hoping to start on the Wings tomorrow. I have already removed all the rivet heads. I do plan on removing the nose skin and will see what path works best at that point. I do have excellent solid rivet removal skills ;-)

I've had problems with the Side Doublers and also the Console Seat Panel Angles until I figured out an easy way. I'll post a blog tomorrow on my version of re-installing the Console Seat Panel angles.

I wish I could go to Sebring and talk to Sebastian and Mathieu. Send me back a report.

Jake
At 8:25am on December 22, 2009, Jake Reyna said…
Mike, from the bottom of the rear sump I get 10-12mm up to the bottom of the lowest pipe. Basically, the bottom pipe is right about the base of the cooling fin on the sump. Muffler clearance with the intake plenum as no more than 10-15mm as I recall. I'm going to post some pictures in a minute of my dual exhaust and it will give you a visual reference.
At 7:20am on December 22, 2009, Jake Reyna said…
Mike, I'll setup up some reference points and take pictures of the engine and exhaust pipes. I'm going to use dual exhaust like the Sonex builders. I just had those pipes made and will include in the picture.
At 1:53pm on December 21, 2009, Jake Reyna said…
Mike, I'm in the market for a welder. I know that a TIG is better and more expensive, but I'm wondering if a MIG will work for my purposes, welding thin aluminum, .020, for stuff like cabin heat boxes as an example. I doubt that I would do anything over .125.

Sounds like a good MIG is the solution. What do you think of the Henrob 2000?

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