The painting begins. We used ecofill as a primer And UV protector. I am very pleased with the product. The gun used was from lowes. Cost was about 50 dollars!

Very nice! The dark (black?) stripe just off of the red/white transition adds a nice touch. Without the dark stripe it would look less dramatic. Maybe you're a budding graphic artist?

Good to hear about the weight loss too. How many pounds lost so far, and how many to your goal?

Lynn

Dear Brian,

As always I'm very impressed with your work.  Again, I think you have a story to tell that would make a great book.  Essentially you could pretty much string together all your posts and call them an "outline".  Then working from the memory you have that is triggered by each post right it "long" with all your surrounding thoughts, hopes, fears, struggles.  Put in the pictures in the right places in the narrative and perhaps have add, or have someone add technical drawings of any procedures that need visual explanation.  Then you really have something.  Don't worry if you feel you aren't a professional writer.  A good editor can smooth out any rough spots with out losing your personal "flavor".

Tom

Way to go with the paint and the weight. I would like to see the smile on your face after the first flight. May the Force be with you.

Brian, that is inspiring work. It looks an excellent finish, & I love the pinstripe on the leading edge.

And everyone knows red aeroplanes go the fastest!

Well done, & I look forward to seeing the finished job.

Bruce

Brian, your craftsmanship is amazing, but most of it gets covered by fabric.
I think you should give it the best possible finish to let that craftsmanship shine through.

I've been using the process shown here: http://wienerdogaero.com/LatexProcess.php
So far the results are better than I would have expected.

I think it is possible to get the same finish spraying or rolling.
The difference is it will take much more sanding to get the rolled paint smooth.

Thanks guys! The black stripe was a last minute addition suggested by my wife. I have to agree it really looks nice! Total weight loss is 91 pounds! I started at 369 (corrected my typo at 349) current weight 278. I would like a "max" (pun intended) flying weight of 240 (down a bit from 245 my initial goal) since I have decided to use drooping wing tips. So 39  pounds to go.  240 also gets me in a piper cub for dual tail dragged time!
Tom you have me thinking of a book my wife is an aspiring writer. Or at the least a nice magazine article!

UL builder nice link. I plan on experimenting in a couple weeks with the technique , but I have to tell you the current finish is quite nice. I  will keep  you all updated! Keep the comments, suggestions and great links coming!

how much farther to go on your PPL?

Quoted from PUFF

how much farther to go on your PPL?

Thanks for asking! Just got signed off to take my check ride. I need an examiner that's 161 pounds max! I found one but he is over an hour flight away and healing from hip surgery. It may be a few weeks. But In the Meantime I study. I continue to fly, practice maneuvers and build! I want to list some more pics. But recent changes here make it a time consuming event. More to come soon!

Brian, we are waiting for updates....

Monte

Patiently.....

Congrats Brian your hard work paid off. Get your t/w ticket and you will be set.

Monte

That's great!! Another successful step along the way toward your goals.

Lynn

YEEHAW Congratulations on your your check Brian. Another steep on the ladder to the sky.

Thanks guys it was an exciting day! Now an update on the build. Between Christmas festivities and studying for the exam the build has continued. Here is my instrument panel ready to paint and final mounting. I am using 6 rubber mounts secured to deck area. The panel will be fiberglassed with 3/4 ounce cloth for a smooth finish

Brian: Congratulations for the achievement! and good luck with all those gauges  
If I had to do it again I would install the EFIS system which is more accurate than the steam gauges. However nothing beats the looks of those round dials.

Thanks Ricardo. I agree completely with you on EFIS ... But I traded for nearly all the instruments. Only have less than 200 dollars invested and that includes transponder with mode c encoder! Wing 2 covered and stitched! Couple more details and I start painting it!

Working on trim tab for elevator

One more

Added second "tang" to tail wheel. I am going with double spring vs push pull rod... Weight loss.... Too many holiday parties. Added 2 pounds. Exercising them off as soon as this posts!

WOW You are just like the energizer bunny. I wish I had your work ethic! Looks like spring will see a great event.  

Congratulations on you mile stone. I can't wait to see your plane completed and flying.

Sorry guys tried to modify this post and accidentally deleted it. So here it is again a bit out of place! ....Passed my sport pilot yesterday !!! I had to get to airport before dawn prep plane and head at as soon as it was light enough. Due to the weight and balance I could only put 161 pounds in the right seat. I found an examiner 118 miles away who was light enough! I would have flown farther if I had to. He as tough but fair. Couple hours on oral exam with paperwork. The almost two hours of flight. We did every maneuver! But I passed! Who hoo! A little post flight chat. More paperwork. Fueled up the plane and headed home! I landed with about 15 minutes of legal daylight left. . Have to get my tail wheel endorsement in the spring! But I am loving it!

Amazing! Congrats!

Congrats Brian it is a great milestone and one of many great things for you in the new year!!

Congratulations on the pilot certificate and the paint is pretty too.

Great job on 3 projects.

Well done Brian!  Time to finish the Max so you can fly a real plane now  


Bruce

Thanks guys... It feels great! Onward und upward! Lost 1.5 pounds still up 1/2 pound😬 but moving in right direction again! Took up my wife (my first passenger) on New Year's Day! We had a blast. Wing 2 finished priming! A little obvious hint... When rib stitching tie the knots on the bottom. On the first wing I tied the knots I top. Even though you slide the knots into the wing the other side looks sooooo much nicer esp. when using the flat waxed string. Oh well... Painting this upcoming week! Hoping to fly her in this summer !

Quoted from bigbrixx1

Took up my wife (my first passenger) on New Year's Day! We had a blast.  

That is a wonderful milestone. I'd bet there were two HUGE smiles on board! Glad you had a "blast", now fly safely!

I'll have to admit a bit of jealousy. I failed a medical 35+ years ago and that being on record with FAA is still blocking me from getting a medical so I can go for a Sport Pilot license. As many know, a failed medical has to be cleared up to be able to use a driver's license like everyone else can. As I was building my MiniMAX I kept hoping and praying that the Pilot's Protection Act II would be enacted as it was first written. But alas, the wording was changed before it was passed so I'm still only eligible to fly a Part 103 ultralight. I'm OK with that though. No annuals, no check rides, no fees or registration.....

Lynn  

That sucks Lynn. I want to avoid that so its sport pilot for me! I plan on more training to be safe up there but doubt I'll ever go beyond sport rating! That's ok I am having a blast!