Manfred's X-Air

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After two weeks work, this is how the X-Air looks

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Jabiru 2200A Aero Engine Mounted on the third week

Manfred decided to follow my lead in installing a Jabiru 2200A engine on his plane. I have 30 hours on my engine already and all I can say is that the Jabiru is the best thing that ever happend to ultralight aircraft and homebuilt aircraft. The most common remark I hear from my friends is that the engine is so quiet and smooth.

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After completing the test program, we will be installing amphibious floats on Manfred's X-Air using Puddle Jumper Floats installed in the plane pictured above. The above plane is owned by Gerry Breen and is used for float training in his flying school located in Algarve Portugal. Gerry also powered his plane with a Jabiru 2200A engine.

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Battery Holder installed

Picture above shows battery holder installed on the plane. To the left of it is the aileron pulley.

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Wings Installed

Assembling the wings and installing them will take about 2 hours with two experienced people.

Manfred's X-Air arrived before Christmas (2003). Work on the plane commenced in earnest last January 2004. Assembly went without a hitch and according to procedures specified in the manual. While the 40 hour build time claimed in the manual is achievable, once you start adding your own customization, the hours will start to add up. But not that much. If not for the wait on the chemical we will be using for rust prevention, the plane would have been ready for test flight by now.

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X-Air cockpit is very roomy at 42" wide

Key features of the X-Air cockpit is its roomy instrument panel which can accomodate all necessary instruments for day VFR instrumentation. It has a /2 inch plywood floor board that not only support the pilot's and passengers legs but also acts as crash protection. It also boasts of dual controls with the throttle located on the same side, whether you are seated on the left or right seat. Best of all is the cockpit is 42" wide, which, if I am not mistaken is wider than a cessna 172. 

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Throttle mechanism

This is how we set-up our throttle system for the Jabiru engine. Cables and end fitting came with the engine. We fabricated the stoppers and the cable guides. Notice the bicycle type lever which we use for choke actuation

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Battery Holder

We fabricated the above battery holder using 2mm stainless steel. The battlery holder is clamped using stainless steel hose clamps to the main fuselage boom behind the seats but before the aileron idler pulleys. Depending on the weight and balance situation, the battery can easily be moved using this method of installation. One has to make sure though that a rubber sheet is installed between the stainlees steel holder and the aluminum boom before it is tightened, to make sure the stainless steel holder does not eat up the alluminum boom.

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Heat Shield Mod

We fabricated a heat shield to protect the fuel hose from heat generated from the exhaust pipe. In the X-Air set up, the exhaust pipes are installed very close to the fuel pump.

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Yes! Manfred's X-Air is Completed. It was test flewn March 11, 2004

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