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 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!
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