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Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:33 pm
by KFA
Hennie decided to take the plunge and bought himself an Explorer. The frame is build but we are installing a brand new 912ULS with auto pilot and Vg's. I took a pic this morning but we build the exhaust and completed the radiator plumbing as well. I hope to complete the wiring by tomorrow. This baby should take to the air by next week sometime.
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:16 pm
by KFA
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:00 pm
by avgas
Brits???

Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 7:26 pm
by KFA
Will be raining this weekend. If the weather is Ok I will be there on Saterday.
Some pics of the wiring and engine.
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:09 pm
by German
No return on the fuel line?
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 7:37 pm
by KFA
I was waiting for someone to comment on that. No, we have never installed a return in the fuel line. We have a gravity fed system that delivers 10liter per hour more than the required min delivery and the have never had vapour lock issues. The installation manual states that vapour lock is most likely to happen on the suction side of the fuel pump and with temperatures in excess of 36 degr C. So if you have a aircraft with the tank behind the seat or any other place that requires the fuel to be sucked in order to supply then it is mandatory to install the return line AND heatsleave or cool the fuel lines on the way to the engine. You will also note that we heat sleave ALL the fuel lines, before and after the pumps. This insures that the fuel temps remain low.
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:57 am
by German
I got exactly the same on my Tecnam. I do experience some vapour lock in summer after landing and wanting to start after about 20 minutes, but not serious.
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:44 pm
by KFA
Tekkies made and in the paintshop for prep. Tomorrow we will try and do the striping but eish, very difficult to paint in this cold place.
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:34 am
by Flooi
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:15 pm
by KFA
Doors are back on. New glass all round. All controls linked up. Auto pilot installed, have to connect the last wires in the morning. VG's also to go on tomorrow. Cowl took a while to perfect so will only paint white tomorrow and striping will be done on Thursday. Seat cushions still at upholsterer but should be done by thursday as well. All papers have been handed in at CAA today, I hope to have the PFA by thusrday or friday. She will fly before the weekend.

All ground runs have been completed.
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:01 pm
by KFA
Good news is that the owneship transfer and the PFA is done and in hand but we had to redo the cowl paint. Will repaint the cowl tomorrow again. The cold weather is not conducive to a nice paint job. Flying will probably only start on Saturday......
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:35 pm
by KFA
Striping will be done tomorrow together with the spats. Was hoping to finish today but just too much work. Auto pilot working as it should. Upholstery done. Will fly her on Sunday when the paint has dried.

Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:55 pm
by KFA
All things being equal, tomorrow is the day........
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:03 pm
by KFA
Tekkies geverf. As ek tyd kry begin ek more te vlieg.... Baie mooi uitgekom
Re: Flooi's Explorer - ZU-FTD
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 7:14 pm
by KFA
Maiden flight done this afternoon.

Took both doors of this afternoon to fix some flaws that bothered me. Will fly with the doors off for the next couple of days.