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Comment by Kurt Satter on September 22, 2015 at 8:15am

Starting the forward fuselage. Getting the "Hartzell Stick" assembly welded up. I hope this works as I've re-designed the panel for a single, centered throttle.

Comment by Wayne Koski on August 15, 2015 at 11:12am

I put a 2 liter header tank behind the panel. Getting close to the end. One more wing to go. Starting to look at transition training...

Comment by Kurt Satter on August 13, 2015 at 7:55am

Thanks ... all good info. Early on I went a little crazy and purchased two Ray Allen stick grips.  The passenger grip has just the single PTT button but the pilot side has the 5 switches.  I'll use one for PTT,  two for elevator trim, and two for my linear actuator flaps control. 

I'm sure it will all become more clear to me when I get to working on the front fuselage.  I'm currently finishing up the rear.  Trying to work out just how to get the Viking header tank into the confined space behind the baggage compartment.  I should have had L-angles welded to the ends of the tank for mounting rather than the barrel-hoop mounts that were used on the dune buggy. Squeezing those hoop ends together for bolting in that tight area is going to be a killer.  

Comment by Wayne Koski on August 12, 2015 at 11:47pm

No, I didn't cut down the y-yoke. It kinda needs to be that high to clear your knees. It does sound interesting to make the vertical tube adjustable with the same pinned sleeve option. I kept it simple with the wires. I got the economy ptt buttons from Aircraft Spruce and left everything outside of the tubes to my intercom mounted aft of my center throttle. I just plug everything in to the cigar lighter adapter.

Comment by Kurt Satter on August 11, 2015 at 9:12am

I hope you had a good stay in Latvia.  Interesting vacation location.  Good progress on my 701 fuselage I should be ready to start construction on the fwd section next week. 

Dimensionally, did you cut down the Y-yoke ... if so how much?  My thought is to cut it down and use an insert (as you did on the horizontal tube).  I could then drill "pin bolt" holes along the length to allow raising or lowering the height.  I'll need to "pig-tail" and protect all the stick grip (switch wires).

Any thoughts on this?

Comment by Kurt Satter on July 13, 2015 at 7:59am

Wayne,

Can't thank you enough.  I'll give it a shot; details to work out (like routing stick grip wires) but it looks like THE solution.  I'll probably put the 750 Dual Sticks kit up for sale.

Enjoy your vacation ... and please keep me updated ... I'll do the same.

Comment by Wayne Koski on July 13, 2015 at 12:26am

Kurt, I am on vacation in Latvia this week but I will try to fill you in. I got a scrap metal bundle from Aircraft Spruce and in it there was enough 4130 pieces to make the crossbar and grips. I only filed down the original Y stick so that the horizontal bar fit on top nicely to be welded. I cut the ends at a 45* angle and drilled the holes for the pins. Make the holes smaller than you think, you can enlarge later. It is perfect for my center throttle and I can use any hand. The height is perfect on top of the Y. It slides 4" each way. Nice for either side pilot. Good luck...

Comment by Kurt Satter on July 12, 2015 at 7:13am

Wayne,

I made a friend request ... I'm most interested in the Slide Stick for my 701 project.  I saved the fuselage for last and will be starting on it in a week or so (when I finish the port wing).  I have the 750 Dual Sticks kit (unopened except for the 3 plans sheets).  The conversion seems do0able, but ur Slide Stick is so much simpler.  I do have a few questions:

(1) how's it working out (now that it is mid-July '15)?

(2) dimensions/drawings?

(3) is the placement of the horizontal bar such that a single, center-mounted throttle can be used or did you go with dual throttles?

(4) did you cut down your Y-yoke to make the assembly?

Looks like a nice simple solution ...  Thanks

Comment by Wayne Koski on February 1, 2015 at 1:48pm

Yes, I can put holes on the opposite side for the pins to lock in that position as well. I am sure I will have a few more adjustments along the way...

Comment by Patrick Hoyt on February 1, 2015 at 9:57am

Steve Wittman had a similar idea for the stick on his Tailwind.  In his case, the "uprights" pointed down, so you could hold the stick between your knees.  Think of an "inverted U" on each side of the stick...