Progress Report

Yes, the blown-out Achilles tendon did set me back, but not our engineering team. We are making a lot of progress.

TrueLite kits are in stock. Most of our orders are for assembled and flight tested TrueLites. Paul is preparing for the assembly and kits are shipping.

Merlins are getting finished, test flown, and delivered. We still have a back log in the build center but finally getting unplugged. We are flying 20-40 hours or more on each Merlin prior to handing over to the customers.

We are also flying a Merlin extensively in Slovakia as part of the Vtwin engine certification for the EU. This work also applies to the installation packed we have developed for the Kitfox aircraft. There are hundreds of Kitfoxes and other aircraft flying on the Rotax 582 that have no replacement engine until now.

We are working very closely with the Vitorazzi engineering team to make their first tractor installation of their Cosmos 300 engine. If you recall, we selected the Polini 303 engine initially but had so many issues we were not comfortable to deliver this engine to our customers. Vittorazi came along with their new Cosmos engine and nearly all the PPG market switched as well as us. But the Cosmos was not available in a tractor version. Vittorazi said they would have it for us in 3-4 months which turned into 15 months. But now we have the tractor engine and are finalizing the installation.

We initially proposed an inverted installation for a better fit inside the cowl and better prop position. Vittorazi shot that down for a variety of reasons so back to the drawing board.

There were also issues fitting the carburetor and intake manifold. Vittorazi approved an elbow that should work and will be tested soon.

This week our engineers will finish the documentation and within two weeks should have the engine mount, cowl, and other items prepared and installed. I am on standby to fly to CZ for the first test flights. Looks good for October. We can run through the test flight protocols and finally get a batch of Merlin Lites finished and shipped.

We are also finishing a Merlin II with a Rotax 912iS installed. I will have photos as soon as it leaves the paint booth.

And finally, some news about the Electrolite. We are now preparing battery pack #2. Here are some of the battery case strength tests.

Everything is tested and documented for certification. The strength tests are now completed.  We have the charger and BMS prepared. Instrumentation is nearly completed. First test flights are expected in 1-1/2 months.

Back to work.

CHIP