January 20, 2025
I went through six different methods to heat the silica beads when they needed to be recharged. They all failed to reach to 60°C (140°F) temperature needed to recharge the beads, even though each method on paper looked promising – well the fish tank heater was too hot and would shutdown due to overheating so technically it was hot enough.…
January 19, 2025
Reviewing the parts included in the AntiSplatAero kit I realized that the kit was not developed for the RV-10 and that for all installations, a few extra parts would be necessary. I’m all for a challenge and took this head on. The biggest issue to resolve was the placement of the one-way valve bracket with the Vetterman exhaust system –…
November 19, 2024
The Utah Back Country Pilots Association (UBCP) maintains a list of back country airstrips. Since I frequently fly over a lot of rugged terrain in Utah, I really wanted to have these airstrips shown on my display in case of engine failure. For members they offer a great set of ForeFlight Waypoints for these airstrips, unfortunately this did not help…
November 18, 2024
The Utah Back Country Pilots Association (UBCP) maintain a list of back country airstrips. Since I frequently fly over a lot of rugged terrain in Utah, I really wanted to have these airstrips shown on my display in case of engine failure. For members they offer a great set of ForeFlight Waypoints for these airstrips, unfortunately this did not help…
October 20, 2024
I picked up McMurdo Smartfind S20 units before leaving for Mexico in 2016. The batteries in these units have a seven year life span which meant they expired in 2023, but I decided to disassembled one and checked the voltage. The battery pack had s lithium manganese dioxide (li-mno2) battery which is good for applications with long-life requirements. Reviewing datasheets…
October 9, 2024
A fairly low key morning before grabbing some food in town and busing it out to the Taronga Zoo Sydney – I was not leaving OZ without seeing a Koala bear or two. My time on Australia was closed out with a fancy dinner at Arthur – a perfect goodbye.
October 8, 2024
A rainy start was perked up with visiting a friend’s son who is working in Sydney before dashing off to the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney and closing out the day by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
October 7, 2024
A nice breakfast before a not too far walk the UTS campus, followed up with a couple of buses rides out to Middle Head Battery for some exploring and beach time.
October 6, 2024
Wandering around the Justice and Police Museum, tasty Japanese lunch, exploring the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and watching the NRL Grand Final in rugby with the locals.
October 5, 2024
Bus to Watsons Bay, beach time at Lady Bay beach, exploring South head, checking out The Gap, lunch at Doyles, and a ferry back to Sydney
October 4, 2024
Well let’s call it day 1.5 since I arrived late afternoon Thursday, but this was my first full day… Walking around, visiting the National Maritime museum, and a musical at the Sydney Opera House
October 3, 2024
We didn’t have to rush off in the morning so I started my day with a walk around Main Beach and a nice sit-down breakfast. Ah the luxury. After one last shower it was time to move Sky Pond up to The Boat Works for some maintenance and where she would be sold. It was a pretty mellow trip with…