Build Center Visit
I spent last weekend in our Alabama build center. Here is my update:
We are flying this Vtwin-powered Merlin a lot. We have retained a CFI that wants to build hours, and he is flying his butt off. Then lands, refuels, and flys some more. He has reached 14,000 feet twice already. and often cruises around at 5,000 to 12,000 feet. Already he is past 40 hours, and we are happy to keep him up there to gather flight data and prove our engine and component installation. Our new fuel system is working perfectly.
Have a look at this video. This is not an animation.
It is a Vtwin-powered Merlin on a test flight from our Alabama build center. The pilot apparently was bored and decided to spell out Merlin with his ADSB crumb trail. Here is the sped-up version. I watched it real time on my phone app. Virtual sky writing without smoke! On two other flights he climbed to 14,000 feet. The Vtwin is proving itself!
We now have 4 Merlins in our build center and as soon as we finish these Merlins 4 more are queued up. The place is humming with Merlin work!
Tomorrow, I fly to Czech to inspect the next Merlin and Merlin Lite shipment. We are finishing one Merlin in Slovakia currently so we can complete the European UL-2 certification of the Merlin with the Vtwin installed.
And we are systematically getting key parts out to kit builders. But it takes a bit of time to make sure new parts work correctly and then to build up this new inventory. At least it is happening and correctly. We will have a few more Vtwin Merlins flying soon and flying a lot. This will benefit everybody.
We have prepared a manual for the wing tank upgrade. However, we recommend that you remove your wing tanks and send to us for this specialized work.
Here is what a pallet of new Vtwin engines look like.
Merry Christmas!
CHIP
