I had all the gear laid out in the shop, the big concern was the single 255 watt solar panel, these big suckers measure about 66 x 39", and this one had the steel mount rack already bolted up. Rob had checked prior and said that with the co pilot seat out it'd fit. I would have bet money it wouldn't, and that was after a few minutes of trying, NO WAY. Then, with a few more twists and tweaks it slide right in! Once secured, we found that he'd even be able to move the control yoke,
. Once strapped down, I decided to tag along for the trip back to his place, as I had nothing else going on anyway, the fact that he'd left his checkbook back at home had nothing to do with it! His credit's good but what the hell, get a check and get to go fly, a win/win. His takeoff was also unnoteworthy, he just lifted right off with plenty of room left over, again, using maybe half the length.Once we both took off and were headed south, I flew slightly faster then usual, which was plenty fast for his slow speed, he wasn't hanging on the prop or using flaps or anything. So there we were, flying along fat and happy, and enjoying that smug feeling of having put our airplanes to a practical use, when he had to go and ruin it. He pointed out that we had gotten distracted by loading the PV panel, and had left the pump itself in the shop, about 25 miles behind us
Screw it, we kept going, he can fly back up again the next time he needs a good excuse to go flying.Airport security checking out the new arrival's 35's
In the plane, just. These type panels produces 255 watts at a little over 30 volts, and are usually used in series, wire up to a dozen end to end (so to speak) and you will get knocked on your ass if careless with the +- leads, even in the shade. Guess how I know this?
It felt odd waiting for departing traffic, traffic at my strip is usually, none.
[/UNearing the Idaho/Utah border, real nice air and not hot, yet.
[url=http://s649.photobucket.com/user/simkot/media/maule%20006_zpscekokbfj.jpg.html]
I've known about Maules for some time, who doesn't, but damn they sure seem like a heck of a practical airplane. Slow and short when needed, kind of fast when needed, and best of all those frigging barn doors and all that room! Someone needs to make a LSA type craft that is a shameless copy, and that would have enough lightness to use the Rotax. Maybe a heavily modified butchered up Rans S-20 would be a good place to start, I don't want to give up the wing I have now, which it shares, but being able to open it up with Maule type doors would be really cool. I also would be loath to give up the sub 4 GPH regular mogas fuel burn I now enjoy, maybe a 70 or 80% scale model. Someone build it and I'll buy it.
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