Welcome

*****Skyote #88 gets Bronze Lindy for "Airventure-Oshkosh 2016 Plans Built Champion"******


October, 2007

Welcome to "Skyotelog", the build record of Skyote #88. I assume that you are familar with the Skyote biplane. If not, you should visit http://www.skyote.org/ for a complete introduction to this unique but elusive biplane.

The posts are presented in reverse chronological order (newest first). Or you can click on one of the "Labels" to see all of the posts concerning a specific topic. Click on any photo for a larger image.

All my building experience is limited to Van's RV's so I have no experience with building tube and fabric or "plans building". I have much to learn so take everything I write with a grain of salt and reasonable skepticisim.


I do not intend to follow a "traditional" path for the construction of #88. I intend to employ low level technology and $ to reduce the construction time and difficulty where possible and practical. By low level technology I am referring to CAD, laser, waterjet, CNC. For example:

  • I have purchased a complete wing spar kit from Jerry Kerr.
  • A rib kit from Mr. Bartoe.
  • Brunton Flying Wires and Drag wires from Harvey Swack.
  • CNC profiled tube kits for the fuselage, tail feathers and landing gear from VR3.

In addition I have converted all of the wing fittings, brackets, links, lugs etc. to CAD and had them cut by water jet. I have designed a laser cut wing spar drill template/jig which positions the five spar components so that all of the holes can be drilled in a complete spar as an assembly. I plan to continue converting as many parts as I can to CAD so that I can reduce the "hand-made" components to a minimum.

Note: As of June 2015 I have over 100 CAD files which provide 600+ water jet cut parts for the Skyote.


While it takes a little time, converting the design to CAD is a great way to truly understand the drawings. plus a huge amount of information has been extracted from the rather complex drawings. This can be a great help to others in understanding and interpreting the design.


The Skyote is uniquely suited for conversion to CAD in that a "computer" was used in it's original design. I have read that Mr. Bartoe used a HP calculator to "compute" the design and dimensions of the Skyote. The plans show all of the critical dimensions to three decimal places for X,Y and Z axes.


Amazingly, when I put the design into CAD the resulting 3D models agree with Mr. Bartoe's thee decimal place dimensions about 99.9% of the time. I have found one discrepancy but less than 0.030"!


If you want to build your Skyote as cheaply as possible, or if you enjoy handcrafting the same parts over and over again then my approach to building is not for you!


If you want to build your Skyote in the minimum possible time with highly accurate parts then this approach may be the answer. I personally get a lot of satisfaction out of organizing the project so that it can be produced accurately. Hopefully some of this work will prove useful to others in the future.


Comments are welcome. I will respond as time permits

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Monday, May 30, 2016

Skyote Component Photo Opportunity




This past weekend we put together a practice photo shoot in preparation for Airventure/Oshkosh 2016. Dale Doane visited with a partially completed Skyote air frame (about 50% complete) and Johnathon came by with a full set of Skyote spar/aileron components.  The idea is to show all of the components available to the Skyote plans builder.in one photo.

This is just my amateur shot.  The professional photographer  was able to get get everything straight on in one shot. Look close and you will see the aileron spar and nose skin components behind the wings. That's Dale Doane adjusting the seat in the fuse and Johnathon Pritchard in the jeans with Les Kanna in the background.

Pritchard, Doane and VR3 will all have Skyote components for plans builders on display in their booths in Hangar D.



Almost looks like an RC Model!

Friday, May 27, 2016

Skyote #88 Gets Her Groove Back!



I am happy to say that #88 is all back together again and better than ever.  The totally rebuilt engine was re-installed this past Tuesday. She now has painted ailerons and and a prototype stripe on the fuselage. The engine runs great and is silky smooth. A few installation photos follow.



We used this pressurized can to pre-lube the bearings. It was hooked to shop air to provide a regulated 38 psi.


Jack Moore rebuilt my engine. At 80+ Jack still knows his stuff. I am very privileged to have Jack do my work.  Here he is pumping two quarts  through the oil galleries prior to first start up.
The engine started on the second blade and has behaved itself very well since.
It now has about four hours flight time and I am extremely happy with it.


Tom making a few last minute checks before the second "first flight". The first few flights were made with the cowl off to make leak checks easier. Fortunately there were none. Also lots of cooling air flowing over the oil sump hanging out in the breeze.
Looks ugly from the outside but you cant tell the cowl is missing from the cockpit!
.The second first flight which occurred at SC76 on this past Wednesday was uneventful. 


All buttoned up and back Home at UZA this afternoon.


Prototype stripe, version 2.


Monday, May 23, 2016

Skyote #88 Gets It's Engine Back Tomorrow

I am happy to report that Skyote #88 will soon be airworthy again.  Needless to say, it was a real bummer having to pull the engine for major repair just a few hours after the first flight. The engine has been totally rebuilt and should be in tip-top shape this time. As you can see from the following, I was very lucky to be at my good friend, Les Kanna's, airfield when we decided to ground the Skyote due to inappropriate noises from the engine.

#88 was pulled out of the barn today and moved up to the "airplane factory" at SC76.


She needed a good bath before going in to the hangar. I hope I never see it like this again!


The "good as new" O-200 in position and ready for installation to begin tomorrow.


#88 is sharing hangar space with some very interesting airplanes which are visible in the background.


Here is Les Kanna's gorgeous BMW K-1200 motorcycle engine powered Onex.  The BMW provides 100+hp in a plane which normally flies with 80hp. The bottom cowl has been removed which gives us a peek at the engine 
This is a real hot rod which flew for the first time this spring. This is way out on the end of the experimental limb of sport aviation.  This is the only installation of this engine that we are aware of. It now has over 40 hours and all of the landings have been at the intended destination! So far, so good. Silky smooth! Did I mention fast?



This is Ed Lee's slick Corvair powered Sonex.(all flush rivets!).  It should see air under the wheels soon as he is ready to call for the FAA any day now.  I hope some of the speed  of these two hot rods rubs off on #88!

Monday, May 2, 2016

Skyote #88 Down for Repair

The tardy FAA inspection plus the required 40 hour fly-off eliminated Sun-n-Fun from my plans this year.  As it turns out, it wouldn't have happened anyway.
In spite of our best efforts, the long (four year) storage of my engine took its toll with the resulting in scuffed piston! 

A little tapping noise was present following the first flight. We were hoping that it was a sticky lifter but over the next few hours it got a little worse so we pulled the valve cover and determined that the lifter was functioning properly.  We  then removed and cut open the oil filter and found some aluminum. Next we pulled the #4 cylinder and found that the piston was significantly scuffed.  The engine was then completely torn down. No other damage was found, no corrosion or indication of abnormal wear. 

The engine is now being reassembled with all new pistons,rings, bearings, expendable bolts, etc. Hopefully, we will have it reassembled by the end of next week and back on the airplane before the end of May.

It was a real disappointment to have to ground #88 so soon as I was just starting to feel at home in the cockpit.  I am really looking forward to getting it back in the air. I will have some more reports and videos when we get over this hurdle.


At least I did make use of this down time to get the ailerons painted!