Ok, I spose it is time for a quick update LOL

It's 6 feet from me right now. The prototype is built minus composites, I'm working on the plugs as time allows. Mike D is cutting me out a couple of beta kits to spread around to my guys and get some feedback. We're tweaking the wing roots and as far as the kit itself that's the last piece. The fit of this one exceeds even the VF3. The building techniques are similar, but the tedious process of building the front end has been eliminated....if it holds up to this YS.

So, as soon as the molds are completed, it flies. This process takes as long as the plane itself, because any minute defect is in every single part ever pulled from then on....so it is time consuming. Unfortunately it is still not my top priority as I have a couple of planes to paint, and the weather and my shop equipment haven't been cooperating very much. but now that I am fully in painting mode the plugs are in the mix on the forefront with 3 other planes.

And this is the busiest time of the year for me under normal circumstances. This year has been uh....interesting to say the least. And to top it off, I still haven't found the time to build myself a plane yet LOL

So to sum up, it is progressing very nicely, just not as fast as I would prefer. But it's getting there, and just ask the couple who have seen it, it's going to be worth the wait. I am doing up 2 versions, one glow and one electric. I am testing a particular electric system that seems better tuned to this particular plane than any other out there. It uses a 250kv outrunner and 8s packs....but can use 10s for obscene power. Target weight for the electric is around the 8 lb range. This plane is pretty large for it's size category, so I doubt a 90 sized 2 stroke would be enough, but we'll see. It's a little more like a 120 sized plane, but not as large as say, the Aquila....but a bit larger than the Focus sport. I have aplied everything I have learned from the 2 meter Black Magics so this one should be unique among it's peers. My goal is a plane capable of winning masters and FAI, but smaller, more affordable, easy to build and maintain....the perfect practice plane. I wanted a plane that I could go practice FAI unknowns with and not worry if I dirt napped it on the back of a 3 roll reversed rolling circle. But capable of doing it as easily as my 2 meter. I think I have one heck of a head start down that path.

My largest hindrance is the size of my shop. CAA is a 2 car converted garage....5 work tables, 4 of which are constantly in use for making the kits. So it has spread into my camper, my upstairs of my house, my basement, and in some cases the driveway! My wife has drawn the line at storing cores in the bedroom though. LOL

If things keep going smoothly next year we are planning on moving into a new place, with a HUGE shop and a little land. If I had that kind of room the 110 would have been done a year ago. Upon the lauch of this 110, if it goes anything like it looks from here, I may have to get some small warehouse space. But I'm just "typing out loud" here [8D]

I am still in a search mode for landing gear. I decided to do full kits, so sourcing that landing gear has become a PITA. The most likely solution is an aluminum gear, etched with some nice engraving. Costs about half as much as a carbon gear, but the weight is pretty close. And boy you should see how these things polish up, they look like chrome! With an engraved dragon running down the legs....it's pretty cool. But I still have my eyes open for a reliable inexpensive carbon solution.

So that's where that is....this weekend and next I am out of town for contests, so I'll see you guys out there in Huntsville and next weekend at the D4 champs!

Make some dust, burn some fuel, and have some fun!
-Mike