The Rebel’s New Home
This is the new home of the airplane in the hangar at EDRK. The hangar has a rotary ground, so putting it out is easy.
Trailer Ramp
Rolling off at the airport. We build a special ramp and it was an easy job rolling the fuselage down the trailer.
Airport Arrival
We had a safe arrival at the airport Koblenz (EDRK). Fuselage was absolutely stable on the trailer and didn’t move at all.
Airport Transport
An important date today: Fuselage is transported to the airport. We could use a trailer from a member of our aeroclub. The trailer is 9 m long and really good …
Preparing Airport Transport
Trailer is prepared for the transport. It is a big trailer, nevertheless needs some additional installations to put the wheels on. Crane was very helpful to get the fuselage on …
Rotax Service Bulletin
Before the engine even had a single minute on it, I had to do a service bulletin from Rotax. The carburator floaters had to be changed, since there were production …
Unusable Fuel Quantity Test
Again we used the opportunity of the crane to check the amount of unusable fuel in each tank. The Rebel was put into the worst fuel conditions, which means nose …
Fuel Flow Test
Having a crane available in the workshop, I put the Rebel to the expected maximum positive angle of attack. So I put it into 15,5 degree positive angle …
Carb Heat
I decided to build the carburator heat intake myself. I used a “Cessna like” design. Build from a stainless steel sheet and some stainless steel clamps. A friend welded the …
Oil Cooler Air Intake
The intake at the front is also build from aluminu. Appropriate 2 1/2 inch ducting puts the air to the air cooler in the back.
Oil Cooler Housing
Best position for the oil cooler seems to be in the back of the cowling. There is plenty of space and so I decided to put it there, build an …
Seats Upholstered
Seats are ready. A local upholstery did it for us. We took care they are not too thick, cause I am very tall. Otherwise I couldn’t have an easy look …
Cowling, Spinner and Prop
Cowling is now near to completion. Spinner and prop are installed. I am preparing for the first engine start. But I have to move the plane first to be able …
Fuel hoses
Fuel hoses are installed. I protected them with special kevlar heat protection tube. Again bought in car tuning shops.
Water Cooler Connections
Water cooler is installed. I used silicone hoses. They are better than the normal ones and even cheaper. Easily to get in some car tuning shops. Furthermore the blue colour …
Spinner Cutouts
Cutout in the spinner are done. They now have a close fit to the propeller. Fabricating the cutouts is easy and straightforward with a Dremel tool.
Prop Spacer Plate
To solve the propeller problem, a friend fabricated a special spacer plate for me. It is really a nice piece of art. Fabricated from aluminum on a computer CNC machine. …
Oil cooler
Oil cooler is installed. It is installed in the back of the engine compartment. I will install a special hose to get more air into this position. Oil cooler is …
Dashboard view with Radio installed
Dashboard is nearly complete now. Only transponder is missing, this will be installed just before the first flight. On the right side you can see the IPad we will use …
Radio Installed
We acquired and installed the radio. We bought the KRT 2 model from Dittel-Avionik. Nice radio, not too expensive (compared to others). Of course ready for the upcoming 8,33 KHz …
Fuel Return Line
As recommended by Rotax, we decided to install a fuel return line. This return line protects from vapor locks. It took some time to bend the appropriate 1/4 inch aluminum …
Spinner Problem
Trying to install the spinner, we experienced a problem with the propeller. The propeller already flares out in the radius of the spinner plate. We will have to figure out …
Nose Cowl Work
The MC-7 nose cowl has nothing appropriate for the cowling doors to sit on. So I installed an aluminum strip along the edge of the cowl. The cowling doors can …
Improved Flap Handle
Having nice wooden flight sticks, my wife also wanted an appropriate improved (better looking) flap handle. With the support of a friend in “wood business” I fabricated the wooden flap …
Finishing Cowling
It was still rather cold in the garage. So we reduced our work in February and March. Nevertheless progress was made on the cowling. Picture below shows all parts of …
Test fitting spinner
All cowling doors are finished. So the first phase of the cowling is done. Before doing the final hole drilling I did a test fit of the spinner. It fits …
Cowling continued
We continued to work on the cowling. On the left side of the cowling we needed some more space on the underside due to the exhaust pipe. So …
First Cowling Door
After building the frame for the cowling, the doors are built. I did a mockup with posterboard first and then build the final door from 0.020 aluminum.
Cowling Frame
After we received the spinner, it is clear how much space we need between the spinner plate and the nose bowl. So we could start constructing the cowling frame. I …
EGT Probes
EGT Probes were also welded to the exhaust, 10 cm behind the cylinder. We installed two probes in the two backside cylinders.