More Updates
Another Sun n’ Fun is in the books. My first was in 1981. This year had perfect temperatures the week before and the week after the show. And record high temps in the 90s during the show so we could bake 12 hours for a week. Some might say I like to attend shows. But mostly, they are marathons to get through. We did have some highlights, however. There was a lot of discussion on the new MOSAIC LSA rules. The experts expect it to be a rule in August. Then the ASTM committees have to work quickly to prepare the certification standards. Aeromarine is already thinking ahead, and not to build a $500k 4-seat aircraft than a sport pilot can only fly with 1 passenger, but more affordable and practical aircraft. Have a look.
We had a full booth even overlapping into our partner M-Squared. On display:
- 750 floats
- Merlin with Vtwin
- TrueLite
- TrueLite kit
- Vtwin
- Merlin Lite
In no particular order:
The Merlin flew in and back from Mobile, AL. That is our longest cross-country flight to date. We now have some 130+ flight hours and have sorted the issues that needed sorting so we can complete and deliver safe aircraft from our build center, and so our builders will have tested and reliable systems.
Examples:
- The reduction drive now has a cogged belt, a second bearing, and a reinforcement plate that we felt necessary for tractor installations.
- We switched to a PPG sealant for the fuel pumps.
- Avionics wiring harnesses with the two custom circuit boards are now finished and shipping.
- The exhaust has been upgraded to ball and socket style.
- Two larger vibration isolators are installed between the engine and the engine mount.
As we complete these flight tests and R&D, we are building inventory to enable us to get these upgrades out to builders so they may convert their lawn ornaments into beautiful and functional aircraft!
We are also slowly designing Vtwin installation packages for other aircraft. Most of this work will be conducted by the builders and their groups (Kolb, Challenger, Excaliber, etc..) but we are developing a Kitfox installation with our Slovak partners.
Big news for the TrueLite: The first kit has arrived and was on display. Or at least 80% of it. The long parts could not be shipped by DHL in time. Soon we will begin TrueLite assembly #1 in our build center. We have yet to decide to power it with the Cosmos or electric.
Speaking of electric, we are only about 2 weeks away from having a flying Electrolite®!
We are completing two battery packs. Cells are glued and now wait for a few custom copper and nickel parts to arrive. Our welding machines have now completed tests to weld nickel. An inner composite battery box shell is being molded. And installation of the cooling system, water pump, radiator, BMS connector, and switches is underway. I am planning another trip to CZ in a couple weeks for the first flights. 10 years ago, I predicted that with the development of electric aircraft power there would no longer be aircraft crashing and burning but now burning and crashing. Good thing the technology has advance to the point of safe and reliable operations.
With the winding down of the Merlin/Vtwin work we can finally complete some builds and deliver a lot of Merlins. We need to free up space so we can convert our assembly to Merlin Lites and focus on getting those orders sorted.
Cheers,
CHIP
