This page is about things I like.
Hang Gliding
Imagine
for a second. You are launching off a Sea Cliff. Down below, the crashing surf
pounds the base of the rock walls. As you run toward the edge, you momentarily
wonder again..... "Will this flimsy glider hold me up?" As you catch
the first updraft, you settle into the warm embrace of the harness and survey
your domain. Sea lions and whales mark the water. Hikers and backpackers dot
the mountain sides. Around you, gulls and crows swoop with delight. This is
the closest you will come to true flying this side of Heaven.
I fly a Falcon 195. It is a great glider with a wide flare window and easy control. The Pacific Northwest is the perfect place to fly.
Airplanes
The most powerful and
exciting aspect of flying is landing. You approach the fixed Earth
while navigating 
through
a fluid, ever-changing medium of air. It is the mingling of the two that make
landing so exciting. With a hang glider, you only land once. With an airplane,
you can practice landing for hours. We are building a Murphy
Rebel. It is is an experimental airplane with a LOM
140 hp supercharged engine. I hope that my Rebel looks as good as this one (Ron
Eagleston). Take a look at this gorgeous drawing of a Murphy
Super Rebel by Gordon Hindle.
The instrument panel is going to be fairly simple and lightweight. Using the RMI microENCODER and microMONITOR as the primary instruments, the classic heavy instruments will be reduced. I have modeled the panel below.
3D Modeling
As an engineer, I really enjoy modeling
in 3D and drafting in general. I use either AutoCad or Solid Edge.
Taking a concept and producing
a 3D image takes creativity and patience. For those of you building a Rebel,
don't forget to put a fuel tank access in the center bay near the main spar.
