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 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!

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