ORIGINAL: David Searles
Oli,
CA Jets is Mar 25 -27. I plan to spend the week there starting the 22nd. So, just prior to the event is my deadline to do the maiden.
I am somewhat concerned with the direction FEJ has taken with this jet, in that it came with surfaces already hinged & mounted and the fuel tanks plumbed. These are things I really feel the builder/owner should have control of. I have already opened the fuel tanks and will re-do them to my liking, but the hinging is another matter. Not sure I want to cut them all out and start over. From what I can see they did a fairly decent job of installing them, but I have always replaced the hinges they provide with Robart pinned hinges, the quality/strength is better in my opinion.
I'll report on any other issues I come across, and as always, will appreciate your input.
David S
Oh, that is not gonna be possible for me.
But I might be able to make it to you in April.
The Chinese hinges are significantly weaker than the Robart hinges ( more brittle ). They cannot handle reliably over 100 oz-in of momentum. The Robart ones can handle 150 oz-in at least.
I did test this about 6 months ago in the workshop on my vice.
That could be fine if they would care about computing maximum the hinging momentum at the factory.