A1Skinner wrote:.... I can hardly believe that a company like JPI only had one tech support guy, but they do. So far everyone else has been pleasant to deal with, but he is a jerk. In my explanation to the sales ladies they seemed to understand and agree as if this isn't the first time they've heard of this issue. Hopefully they can fix it and move on.

Unfortunately I've seen situations like that when the a-hole's co-workers & even bosses are like "yeah, he's like that".
When they should be chewing ass & maybe sending the problem employee down the road.
Some people don't understand that one person can ruin the whole company's reputation.

hotrod180 wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:.... I can hardly believe that a company like JPI only had one tech support guy, but they do. So far everyone else has been pleasant to deal with, but he is a jerk. In my explanation to the sales ladies they seemed to understand and agree as if this isn't the first time they've heard of this issue. Hopefully they can fix it and move on.

Unfortunately I've seen situations like that when the a-hole's co-workers & even bosses are like "yeah, he's like that".
When they should be chewing ass & maybe sending the problem employee down the road.
Some people don't understand that one person can ruin the whole company's reputation.

On the flip side, sometimes it’s one employee that keeps the lights on. Cutting that one loose can also be catastrophic to some businesses. It’s an employee’s market as business goes these days.

hotrod180 wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:.... I can hardly believe that a company like JPI only had one tech support guy, but they do. So far everyone else has been pleasant to deal with, but he is a jerk. In my explanation to the sales ladies they seemed to understand and agree as if this isn't the first time they've heard of this issue. Hopefully they can fix it and move on.

Unfortunately I've seen situations like that when the a-hole's co-workers & even bosses are like "yeah, he's like that".
When they should be chewing ass & maybe sending the problem employee down the road.
Some people don't understand that one person can ruin the whole company's reputation.

Whatever the case may be, it’s a great company with a great product, and I hope they get this sorted out and soon.

MTV

Thanks for the input. The Sun n Fun rebate got me so I went ahead and ordered the EDM900. I'm a big fan of the CGR30 but it simply does not display enough - at a minimum I would've had to keep a few things which I didn't want to do. The MVP50 is ridiculously high priced for showing the same info as the EDM900 and having graphics/UI that looks like Windows 95.

I think EI would do well with a direct competitor to the EDM900 - take a CGR, make it rectangular to display a little more so it can be a COMPLETE replacement but have it fit the 3" hole. JPI really nailed the form factor of the 900 in my opinion.

Not great news... first AML release of the TailbeaconX doesn't include the Maule type certificate....lame.

asa wrote:Thanks for the input. The Sun n Fun rebate got me so I went ahead and ordered the EDM900. I'm a big fan of the CGR30 but it simply does not display enough - at a minimum I would've had to keep a few things which I didn't want to do. The MVP50 is ridiculously high priced for showing the same info as the EDM900 and having graphics/UI that looks like Windows 95.

I think EI would do well with a direct competitor to the EDM900 - take a CGR, make it rectangular to display a little more so it can be a COMPLETE replacement but have it fit the 3" hole. JPI really nailed the form factor of the 900 in my opinion.

Not great news... first AML release of the TailbeaconX doesn't include the Maule type certificate....lame.

I love my EDM 900, and wouldnt consider anything else for engine monitoring, except maybe the 930.

Sorry to hear the tailbeacon X isn’t on the AML. Have you called uAvionix to see if they can just add it. Apparently adding one model to an AML isn’t a huge deal.

That Tailbeacon X looks like the slickest transponder/ADS-B out solution there is to me!

I’d go to their website and file a “trouble ticket” asking if they can do that. Seems like that’s the quickest way to get their attention.

MTV

mtv wrote:

asa wrote:Thanks for the input. The Sun n Fun rebate got me so I went ahead and ordered the EDM900. I'm a big fan of the CGR30 but it simply does not display enough - at a minimum I would've had to keep a few things which I didn't want to do. The MVP50 is ridiculously high priced for showing the same info as the EDM900 and having graphics/UI that looks like Windows 95.

I think EI would do well with a direct competitor to the EDM900 - take a CGR, make it rectangular to display a little more so it can be a COMPLETE replacement but have it fit the 3" hole. JPI really nailed the form factor of the 900 in my opinion.

Not great news... first AML release of the TailbeaconX doesn't include the Maule type certificate....lame.

I love my EDM 900, and wouldnt consider anything else for engine monitoring, except maybe the 930.

Sorry to hear the tailbeacon X isn’t on the AML. Have you called uAvionix to see if they can just add it. Apparently adding one model to an AML isn’t a huge deal.

That Tailbeacon X looks like the slickest transponder/ADS-B out solution there is to me!

I’d go to their website and file a “trouble ticket” asking if they can do that. Seems like that’s the quickest way to get their attention.

MTV

I spoke to uAvionix. It gets worse. They have no plans or intentions to add any fabric covered airplanes to the TailbeaconX AML. They say that there was backlash on the tailbeacon when all the models were on the AML but then some owners had trouble getting them to fit in the socket correcty. I was in this situation and simply took a file and dremel to the nav light mount on my Scout so that it would work. However some people apparently complained to uAvionix about them releasing a product with an STC and it not fitting. The TailbeaconX is ever so slightly larger than the tailbeacon and so they decided not to add any fabric covered planes to the AML.

I understand their position but also it really sucks. Not sure it's worth seeking a field approval.

asa wrote:

mtv wrote:

asa wrote:Thanks for the input. The Sun n Fun rebate got me so I went ahead and ordered the EDM900. I'm a big fan of the CGR30 but it simply does not display enough - at a minimum I would've had to keep a few things which I didn't want to do. The MVP50 is ridiculously high priced for showing the same info as the EDM900 and having graphics/UI that looks like Windows 95.

I think EI would do well with a direct competitor to the EDM900 - take a CGR, make it rectangular to display a little more so it can be a COMPLETE replacement but have it fit the 3" hole. JPI really nailed the form factor of the 900 in my opinion.

Not great news... first AML release of the TailbeaconX doesn't include the Maule type certificate....lame.

I love my EDM 900, and wouldnt consider anything else for engine monitoring, except maybe the 930.

Sorry to hear the tailbeacon X isn’t on the AML. Have you called uAvionix to see if they can just add it. Apparently adding one model to an AML isn’t a huge deal.

That Tailbeacon X looks like the slickest transponder/ADS-B out solution there is to me!

I’d go to their website and file a “trouble ticket” asking if they can do that. Seems like that’s the quickest way to get their attention.

MTV

I spoke to uAvionix. It gets worse. They have no plans or intentions to add any fabric covered airplanes to the TailbeaconX AML. They say that there was backlash on the tailbeacon when all the models were on the AML but then some owners had trouble getting them to fit in the socket correcty. I was in this situation and simply took a file and dremel to the nav light mount on my Scout so that it would work. However some people apparently complained to uAvionix about them releasing a product with an STC and it not fitting. The TailbeaconX is ever so slightly larger than the tailbeacon and so they decided not to add any fabric covered planes to the AML.

I understand their position but also it really sucks. Not sure it's worth seeking a field approval.

Very interesting. When you look up the AML for the tail beacon it only lists 172s on it. Unless I'm reading something wrong. Also, all the Piper PA-18/19/20 variants, Huskys, and top cubs are all on the AML, and last i checked they are all fabric...
We are having the same problem with our air tractors. We were told they'd be on the AML and ordered 30, only to find out they aren't on the AML now. Really hoping they come through and add some of these other aircraft...

A1Skinner wrote:Very interesting. When you look up the AML for the tail beacon it only lists 172s on it. Unless I'm reading something wrong. Also, all the Piper PA-18/19/20 variants, Huskys, and top cubs are all on the AML, and last i checked they are all fabric...
We are having the same problem with our air tractors. We were told they'd be on the AML and ordered 30, only to find out they aren't on the AML now. Really hoping they come through and add some of these other aircraft...

Honestly I didn't look at the AML to confirm what he said about fabric airplanes but now that I do, you're right, huskys and pipers are on there.... I'll call back tomorrow and see.

asa wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:Very interesting. When you look up the AML for the tail beacon it only lists 172s on it. Unless I'm reading something wrong. Also, all the Piper PA-18/19/20 variants, Huskys, and top cubs are all on the AML, and last i checked they are all fabric...
We are having the same problem with our air tractors. We were told they'd be on the AML and ordered 30, only to find out they aren't on the AML now. Really hoping they come through and add some of these other aircraft...

Honestly I didn't look at the AML to confirm what he said about fabric airplanes but now that I do, you're right, huskys and pipers are on there.... I'll call back tomorrow and see.

Keep us posted. Sounds like the right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing.

MTV

Have been working hard to get the old fuselage stripped of all reusable parts so I can put it in long term storage (it's kentucky, so that's a barn) and pull the new fuselage into the garage and begin building it up.

Currently the only thing left on the old fuselage that will be used is the oleo internals, hopefully I can pull the oleos tomorrow. Today was pulling brake and fuel lines, panel, finish drilling out rivets in the belly pieces. I'm completely re-doing the panel but I kept as many harnesses in tact as possible, ending up only cutting 3 wires. Took a little longer this way but could be useful in the future.

I also dropped a big order off for powdercoat yesterday. Unfortunately due to long lead times, those won't get done until I'm gone to Alaska for the summer. It was the tailfeathers and various control pieces like the column, torque tube, flap handle, etc. I should have enough other work over the next month that I won't miss them.

Brain removed:


Current status:

Past few days...

Old fuselage is completely stripped of meaningful (and most unmeaningful) parts.


Moved new fuselage into garage from storage. This marks the turning point from disassembly to assembly. Big day. Keeping the old one here for a bit longer just in case, then it'll go in storage.


Finished installing all the fuel lines in fuselage. I put the old floorboards in to keep stuf out of the belly while working. They fit pretty well overall, thinking I'll just sand/urethane them and use these rather than making new.


Mockup of panel. I had this in CAD but decided to transfer it to arts and crafts to see how it "felt".


til next time...

Well, how’s it feel?

CamTom12 wrote:Well, how’s it feel?

Feels good. Has been exciting as the money flows out of my bank account to buy the fun stuff. GTR225, used GTX330, AV30, and EDM900 have all been purchased.

I just wish there were a stocked supply of AN bolts/washers/nuts here and I could pay as I use them. I can't bear to put old hardware back in such a nice plane which means I'm over-ordering ahead of time so I'm not slowed down later.

CAD cardboard aided design. My level of sofistication.

A massive project is many many tiny projects. Some of those tiny projects:

- Inspection holes complete


- Static lines and ports complete. For punching small holes in oratex, I've found I prefer heating a metal punch of appropriate size up with a torch, rather than the recommended soldering iron technique. Personal preference.



- This is my 4th airplane which means this is the 4th time I've painted my tailwheel black... Maybe one day I'll just live with grey or white but that day is not today.


-Vacuum pump? We don't need no damn vacuum pump.



And the start of a not-so-tiny sub project, but at least now it has the expensive fun garmin things in it. When I learned that uAvionix has no intention of getting Maaules on the TailbeaconX AML and my mechanic was not interested in seeking a field approval, I immediately pivoted and got a used GTX330 from eBay. Can add the normal tailbeacon later for ADS-B.

Looking good. That's Oratex? I'm getting more sold on that stuff all the time.

Yep, oratex. Back-coated silver. It’s not a perfect system but I still think it was the right choice for my situation. I would like to do a traditional system in the future to learn that as well.

I found a krylon rattle can color that matches almost perfectly for small things like static ports. Scuffed aluminum pretty closely matches as well and aluminum pull rivets basically disappear from 6ft away. My wings will not match, my plan is solid black for those. Having a hard time finding a close paint shop though so they may end up being bolted on in their current condition and then I’ll just fly it to a paint shop at a later date

Tailwheel overhaul complete. Does the plane need a tailwheel right now? Not at all. But sometimes I feel like doing something different.



I need to get the fuselage onto its gear so I can remove the wooden stand so I can put the firewall on so I can fab the boot cowl so I can.....

First step was getting the belly skin installed. Made a new one out of 0.025" 2024 alclad. Currently cleco'd in place. Going to make/fit a stainless cowl/exhaust egress skin (0.018" SS) between this and the firewall prior to setting the rivets. Not painting this skin or the egress skin. Silver is close enough to silver.




Also in the name of getting the fuselage on it's gear was swapping the spring cartridges from stock oleo to the ABI extended oleo. Took longer than expected. But it's done! Hopefully the gear will be on tomorrow if farm duties don't take my time.

I want an oak work bench, that's a classy work shop.

Mapleflt wrote:I want an oak work bench, that's a classy work shop.

I recommend making friends with a failing restauranteur… they will have no need for all those nice table tops…

$free