Builder Progress Photos

Skylar Lee ,of Fresno CA, sent these photos of his plane coming along nicely. The cowling is adapted from a Grumman nose bowl and he has done a fine job.

Kjell Dahlberg from Sweden shows how planes are in the far north. Answers a lot of questions and so seasonal.

Sometimes there is a project that really tickles me. I love to see and hear from all the builders but it seems that so many people agonize about whether they can build a plane, whether they can get material, whether the weather will cooperate, or anything else that can be stewed over. Artis Jekabsons is from Latvia and when he purchased manual set #254 I didn't know if I would ever hear from Latvia again. Time went by and it was more or less forgotten and then, without an email, a phone call, or a single other question ever put to our builder's board these photos of a beautiful project came in. This just goes to show that the manuals are a complete instruction set unto themselves and that building according to the manuals leaves very little to ask about. This is Artis enjoying a "flight' around the hangar.

And here he shares the project with friends. The younger man on the photo right is Ivan and the older ( undoubtedly wiser too,l since I fit that "older" category as well) gentleman is Nykolay. He was a pilot and instructor through a lifetime in soviet organization DOSAAF. It was semi military organization in soviet time, and Nykolay was Atris's instructor as well, when he was a glider pilot 20 years ago. Today small aviation in Latvia is only done by enthusiasts, and they decided to build their own airplane. Artis says it is very exciting process and has become part of their lifestyle.

The following is quoted from Artis:

"In the beginning we had nothing for building except wish, how i told, and we was under the necessity of building our workroom. It took a lot of time, efforts and money, but in finish became very well. We did it in old stockroom. Today we have good room 110 m2, with central heating, hot and cold water, and all things what You can see is made with our hands. We are proud with our work.
Our airplane is build of some different materials than in project because in Europe is some difficulties to get exactly this. We used DIVINYCELL instead of LASTAFOAM, and german aircraft resin L86 instead of AEROPOXY. This materials are similar with original. However DIVINYCELL is not polyurethane foam but PVC, it bends much better when heated, but when is necessary to sand it, it is quite difficult."
 

It has proven that builders in countries outside the US have been quite successful in working with other approved materials. This is a worldwide family of builders and we are proud of all of them.

Billy Lewis of Orange City Florida is working on a dual stick conversion for his Vision. One of the huge advantages of plans built planes is the ability to tailor them to your needs.

Thad Schutt of Eagle Idaho just added some new photos of his plane with the tail coming together now including the vertical stab.

Mike Gossett of Birmingham Alabama had a Fast Start Kit built and then brought in Scott Vanderveen for a builder assistance session. The plane is at this stage after just a few days.

Another rapidly progressing project is that of Jonathan Dinghus. He is taking a bit of a different route incorporating some of the design from the Personal Cruiser and building a "V" tail. Builders of the Vision are known for always pioneering new ideas and this will be an interesting one. We will see what becomes of it when it flies and whether it will become a regular kit option but it certainly bears watching. This is a versatile plane with a lot of opportunity to make it truly your own.

Dan Harrington sent in these photos of his project in Michigan.

Dan has finished the rib structure on his right wing and is working on the fuel tank section built up in the leading edge.

The flap and aileron sections are mapped out using the existing bottom wing skin.

A tight series of bare foam ribs are quickly installed in the flap body.

Here the top carbon skins are applied to the flap and ailerons and the hinge mechanisms completed.

Here, the wing is lined up to mate with the fuselage. An exciting time.