She can walk!

Well not really, but the glider can now stand without rocking alarmingly. This makes it far more useful as a Sim, although less useful for helping babies to sleep.



Currently this is only the front half of the frame that takes the passenger load. As you can see from the pictures, it is square section tubing that is glassed into what is probably the most rigid area on the whole fuselage. The photos were taken just after I laid the glass fibre so there is some neatening to do. This is the first stage of the glass work. I will also attack it from other angles. Once finished the tube will be completely surrounded. This needs to be _strong_!



The frame sticking out the bottom is only temporary. Once the trailer is ready, the vertacle will be welded into place. The glider can be lifted off the frame by removing a bolt which is currently hidden underneath the square section in the top photos.



There is no lovely rigid area at the back for the same purpose. I will need to build a strong frame to make the fuse more rigid before mounting on to that. There is very little space in this area, but i will probably make some by cutting away some of the seat pan since that area behind the seat back is wasted space.

Working Instruments

Finally put some money into the Simmeter software despite no response from the web site or emails. The software arrived via email the next day and it was worth every penny.

It basically takes info from condor and displays it on a separate screen, or if you want, a separate pc via the network. I was incredibly surprised at how it all just worked first time. Whether the final version has two pc's or just 2 screens remains to be seen. Its nice to know that both work just fine.

After I took the video I realised I held the camera sideways. Oh well, you get the idea. I'll take better video next time it's setup.

Running out of buttons to wire

Seems I have pretty much run out of controls to hook up for the moment. Finished up with what was the trim lever now being used as a wheel brake, as well as a couple of buttons on the stick that I wired up for the hell of it. They were just sitting there and I'm sure I can find something to use them for. So now have 4 axis and 5 buttons, with more coming when the instrument panel goes in.

Here are the photos:

Firstly the overall layout.

The stick with airbrake microswitch and wiring from the top buttons.

The airbrake mechanism. I now love mechano. Inside there is a 2 stage reduction gearing of something like 10 to 1. Works wonderfully!

The undercarriage microswitch. The wire that trips it is held on with, and situated behind, the visible nut.

And finally, the board that makes it all work. Potentiometer and microswitch inputs go in and a game device comes out via USB and talks to the PC. Very easy to use, you dont need a degree in electronics!

Since controls are done for the moment I will start look at attachment for the fuselage. I can't just leave it on pillows! I'm thinking two attachment points, with internal frame underneath the seat pan. One near the front of the seat pan since this area is very stiff with the controls frame. The other at the rear, probably attaching to the stiffening bar I already have in place. We shall see.

Stay tuned. And feel free to leave comments, then I might have some idea if anyone is actually reading this drivel! :-)

Progress continues

Progress continues, just haven't taken any photos in a little while. All the main flying controls are now working. Air brakes, undercarrage and release have been added to the list. I will take some photos tomorrow to show how all the controls are working.

In the mean time, since I'm good at pretty pictures, here's another. Just a quick layout of how the thing might look.

Some pretty pictures for y'all

Since I'm doing the Uni work anyway, I might as well put it up here. This is the final layout for the position of the railing and steps to help users get up and in to the glider.

Flight trials

Well with some basic controls is seems a shame not to finally have a go. I borrowed a projector from a friend and set the whole lot up. The projector is not short throw like the one I am hoping to use, so the image isnt as big as I'd like. And obviously the screen is not curved either.



Still, the glider feels very good to fly, and is a lot of fun! I havn't spent that much time on it, but I notice depth perception and aircraft placement is a lot easier and more natural. Aerotowing, for instance, was easier.

Have also cut a new airbrake and trim slide, so that has been fitted.

p.s. as the end of the video, my gilfriend says 'it's not great really'. Be assured, she is refering to the video quality in the low light! :-)

A big step

Well not that big really, but it certainly seems like a jump forward. The electronics I needed arrived today, and after a bit of careful wiring I now have a glider that can control a gliding simulator! Hooray.


Only aileron, elevator and rudder at the moment. The photo and video show the basic setup. I haven't bothered putting the seatpan back on since I need to tidy up the wiring. Enjoy the video!

Quick update

My appologies for not posting for a little while. Unfortunately I can't base my Uni project completely on just fixing up a glider and making the controls work. Occasionally I have to do some proper work.

The proper work in question is a user study and problem solving for the issue of basically getting in and out. As instructor would know, first timers often have difficulty knowing where to stand, where to put their weight, and lifting themselves in and out (especially with older generations).

The problem comprises of steps to get up onto the trailer (relatively simple) and then getting in the glider itself. It might seem trivial to some, but with potentially hundreds of people getting in and out each day, it is important.



A basic setup is all thats required to get a good idea of the problem. I simply put a floor onto the trailer with planks and then tied the glider down on top. This did the trick beautifully and I have a lot of feedback to work with