flywise

Contributing Member
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About flywise

  • Rank
    Advanced Member
  • Birthday 07/04/1970

Contact Methods

  • MSN wieselaurent@hotmail.com
  • Website URL www.skydrone.weebly.com

Profile Information

  • Gender Male
  • Location British columbia/Canada
  • Interests vintage motorcycles

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flywise's Activity

  1. flywise added a post in a topic Catalina Project   

    fantastic, I am excited to see/hear your cat in the air. Also I'd love to see your final W&B with the 582 engine fitted....see the difference with my 912 setup. Let me know if I can help you in any way for your 1st flight;)
    P.s :phase 1 radius 500NM?
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  2. flywise added a post in a topic NEWBIE   

    Regarding engine choices for the catalina...it's all about weight and W&B. The Catalina is fairly tail heavy and the engine is located back of the aircraft's c of g. From my experience using a 912, I would not install anything heavier because you will have to add weight in the nose to fly solo....that means heavier engine + ballast to fly:(
    Lastly the fuselage upper structure was designed for 65Hp and the most powerfull engine installed with dean wilsons blessing was the 912. I would not trust the structure to be strong enough for more horses....if you do I suggest a structural analysis.
    L.
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  3. flywise added a post in a topic Catalina Project   

    Brilliant chris, keep at it and you will fly her soon:)
     
    One question I have for you: why is your battery located that far back? The catalina is tail heavy and I found that the battery in the nose helps a lot on my Catalina.
     
    L.
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  4. flywise added a post in a topic New builder   

    Here some pictures of mine. Pictures are from under the rear pax seat and also under copilot seat.seat...
    You can also see one damaged by harder water landing.






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  5. flywise added a post in a topic New builder   

    No, each piece of plywood is supposed to be "standing up" on it's edge. Tomorrow I'll get you some pictures of my Catalina for you.
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  6. flywise added a post in a topic New builder   

    Hey Ron,
    I have/had those on my Catalina and found that the dimensions given in the plans are to be taken with a grain of salt. When you slide the fibreglass shell over the structure the gaps will differ from the plans because of the flexibility of the lower fibreglass structure and maybe a slight misalignment. I think the most important aspect is that the plywood re-enforcements keep the bottom skin from buckling when landing on water because of the extreme pressure on it. Dimension of the pieces just have to allow them to fit nicely without bulging the skin outwards . I had a hard landing once and a couple of the plywood pieces broke. After inspection I found that the the plywood was partially rotten because it was wrapped in fibreglass and moisture got in / stayed there without it being noticed (all is painted over)
    I actually replaced the broken plywood pieces with hard foam insulation material. That way they will never rot, are lightweight, very strong when under pressure and easy to inspect (no fibreglass over them). 
     
    Hope this helps, L.
    P.s on my Catalina most tubes on their entire length are linked to the bottom hull, not just at the cluster locations..
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  7. flywise added a post in a topic Luga NR prop selection   

    I have one I don't use...but I live in canada.
    L.
     
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  8. flywise added a post in a topic Avid Heavy Hauler Statement of Conformity   

    Amateur built is the best category, no limitation except the fact you can't use it commercially.
    Look at the copa website explaining in details all the differences (basic/advanced/amateur/certified/OM)
     
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  9. flywise added a post in a topic Parts manufacturing for Avid + Mark IV   

    Hey Justine,
    great project..
    I also am from switzerland/geneva and fled the country because of the overly burdensome and expensive FOCA and EASA. I now live in Canada (close to vancouver) and love the freedom I have with my avid Catalina. If you decide to visit Canada one day please come and visit me for some local flying and fun

    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AvMw5i-09AkLmyLHNPdIaLSnwTWe
     
    Salutations, Laurent
     
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  10. flywise added a post in a topic lost another one   

    Crap, I will miss his valuable inputs here ...hope he's busy on something good up there..
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  11. flywise added a post in a topic Avid Amphibian Sails   

    You may try the ORATEX fabric covering system....much easier to do and no painting required
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  12. flywise added a post in a topic Post inspection review thoughts...Feedback appreciated please   

    you might be able to get a little more legroom by making the seat back cushion thinner. Also you can convert the mechanical gear to an electric gear, eliminating the gear lever (like I have on my Catalina) 
    also note that in flight the ailerons need VERY little side to side movement for a big effect. 
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  13. flywise added a post in a topic Salt water operations in sea-drowned valleys   

    I would not touch down on the ocean/salt water any time. I live on the pacific but ALWAYS land on lakes & rivers. It is impossible to keep out the salty water from the bottom of the hull and/or clean it off properly . Also all your wiring-avionics-electric connections will suffer, just look at boats operating in sea water. All of them without exception have corroded terminals and corrosion problems. The spar on the catalina is thin aluminum, the bracket holding the spar pin is steel...if not perfectly insulated you will get galvanic corrosion at the worst place among other problems....
    Your Cat won't live long when operated on salty waters for sure.
    As a side note, a friend who owns a Icon A5 thought it was safe to be on the salt water just had a HUGE repair for corrosion.....
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  14. flywise added a post in a topic Prepurchase Questions   

    Look at these posts :

     
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  15. flywise added a post in a topic New Member   

    Obviously do not forget to inspect for corrosion especially in the bottom of the hull...
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