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  1. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST replica performance data

    Russ, thanks for setting things straight. It sounds like your wires are a fantastic option. I'm going to reach out to you regarding the matter. We have a following in New Zealand and I'd like to learn more about your product. Nick
  2. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST replica performance data

    Good to know! We definitely need more than one option. I appreciate the information. Nick
  3. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST replica performance data

    The flying wires are an expense, but in the grand scheme of things, the plane still comes out competetively priced when compared to completion costs of many other kits. Our wires came from Bruntons. A bit more expensive than the New Zealand type from what I understand, but rolled threads were...
  4. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST replica performance data

    Ah, great question! Ours is non-sport pilot eligible. We did this so we could test gross weights as high as we wanted...in hindsight, it might have been best just to set our gross at 1320 lbs. In all other respects, it meets the Sport Pilot eligibility requirements, so if a builder sets their...
  5. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST replica performance data

    Our Phase 1 testing was finally completed yesterday, so it felt appropriate to share the testing details. It's funny how the plane matured as a design. The initial goal was a to have a plane that was extremely light with an empty weight of less than 700 lbs, powered by the little Mikron...
  6. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    After a roller coaster of a year, I'm finally at ease with the ST-L project. The test pilot reports the plane is delightful to fly and flies crazy straight. Controls are light and the plane lands slow. Of course, kits will have some upgrades, but I am extremely happy with the prototype so...
  7. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    Wow, well over a year since the last post! To sum up, I've redesigned the landing gear to eliminate the original style leading link and we finally had our first flight earlier this week! The Ryan ST replica flies light and cub like, but I've still got a few tweaks to make before it's just...
  8. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    I've been so busy it's been difficult to find update time. Since the last update we've run the engine, finished electrical, fit the cowl, and gotten the Ryan ST replica to the airport for weight and balance. We are.doing that today and are shooting for 750 lbs empty, so wish us luck!
  9. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    With inspection just weeks away, most of the recent work on the Ryan ST replica has been uninteresting stuff. You know: check this bolt, check that bolt, finish the cockpit combing, do electrical, rebuild the instrument panel to reflect the engine changeup, finish up the pitot/static system...
  10. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    Yesterday we assembled the plane after everything was done being covered and painted. Aside from getting some cool photos, we did this so we could get a "phase" weight and balance. This far into the build, and just before arrival of the engine, it is critical to make sure we're on track with...
  11. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    I’ve been very kindly reminded that it is probably a good time for an update. Rest assured much progress has been made, sometimes 15 hours at a time, 6 days a week. I see the light at the end of the tunnel! As of now, the windshields and all the fairings on the plane are fitted, the wings...
  12. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    As of now, I have probably 200 hours into making production tooling and fiberglass parts. Here we have a few photos of fairings. In the photo with the painted stabilizer fairings, notice they aren’t even screwed down. The fitment with hardware installed is just about perfect, with no...
  13. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    Making messes! That’s what we’ve been up to. As you can see from this old photo of the Ryan ST replica, it’s a bit…naked. Here we are tooling up for wingtips (fiberglass standard in all kits), flying wire covers, and the nose bowl. All fiberglass parts require a male plug. From there, we...
  14. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    What a crazy few weeks it has been. I’ve gotten the ELT installed, drilled holes for various antennas (hidden as well as possible), built and installed the lower rudder hinge V, got all controls hooked up and adjusted, and installed the brake cylinders and rear pedals. A lot of small stuff got...
  15. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    It's structurally complete! Well, aside from the wingtip leading edges, but close enough to celebrate with an update. To get the leading edges made, we built a simple "Spicer Press" out of some wood and a steel tube. It made easy work of the bending. The leading edges were simply wrapped by...
  16. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    As you can imagine, the prep for Oshkosh was brutal, so there is a bit of a jump on this update. Now that we are back, it is time to assess going forward. We got some good feedback and want to make some minor upgrades to the plane. More on those in future posts. For now, we'll focus on...
  17. 32fordboy

    Oshkosh 2018

    Our shocks are cut long for later adjustment and the engine isn't in, so it'll come down quite a bit.
  18. 32fordboy

    Timber Tiger Ryan ST replica to be at Oshkosh AirVenture 2018

    We're here at the show in the kit vendor area, booth 644. Stop by and see us! It's always great to meet forum members! Nick
  19. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    A forum member requested that I share my experience using Stewart Systems. A few things to keep in mind before we get started: 1. I am in no way affiliated with Stewart Systems. I LOVE the product so far, but it was just sprayed this week, so longevity is unknown. 2. This is NOT an...
  20. 32fordboy

    Ryan ST Light Sport – Nick Pfannenstiel – Brighton, Colorado

    Well, I'm a believer! As long as the Stewart Systems paint holds up, I'll be using it again. I added the full amount of flattener to the EkoPoly Premium. This gives the plane a very original feel with a slight sheen. We'd call this "eggshell" in the automotive world. Without the flattener...
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