But it`s the firewall that most attracts the attention of visitors to my hangar. The little VW half is unique in this particular corner of aviation and is looked upon with astonishment by those who are used to Lycomings. The half-VW weighs less than 90 pounds and has a power of 25 to 45 horsepower, depending on bore and stroke. Milholland strongly supports the “full-case” half-VW, where the case does not need to be cut in half, and offers a manual to manufacture this version of the engine. But although it was the easiest version to build, I opted for the cut-case variant, which was purchased as a ready-to-use engine from Hummel Engines. Thus, the XL-58 flies with a half-VW of 45 hp (bore of 94 mm, stroke of 86 mm, or 1200 cc) through a single Zenit carburetor. A smooth mag of a two-cylinder ground engine provides the sparks and uses parts common to the popular 4300 series of slicks. As soon as the starting exercise is learned, the small motor fires at the first blade when pulled vigorously. It was another step in my journey to rediscover the simple pleasures of slow and inexpensive flying. The RV-6 took me to remote corners of our country, taught me a lot about flying and endurance in completing a complex project, and remains a wonderful way to enjoy the social circles around weekly breakfast outings. But economic reality eased many of the difficulties that often occurred on summer evenings just to relieve the stress of a busy week.

While $60 may be a reasonable fee for an hour on the therapist`s couch, it`s now a bit of a pain to see those dollars floating around in the fuel computer during a quiet flight to nowhere. The Legal Eagle is made of AUS-8 steel, making it easier to maintain and sharpen, and cryogenic hardened for increased wear resistance. The blade has a modified tanto stitch that adds a slight curve to the tip for better cutting power. There is also a section with teeth near the handle for more difficult work, such as seat belts or ropes. What I didn`t expect, however, was the huge interest my Eagle has garnered from other VR pilots, both in person and on the internet. It seems that I have tapped into an area of thought shared by many airmen as we face increasing budget pressures and medical concerns looming on the horizon. The sheer pleasure of flying introduced us to aviation, and many of us are now eager to come full circle and return to a simple flight mode because it`s fun. The RV-6 and Legal Eagle XL are my tickets to fully enjoy aviation, whether the mission requires overland travel, sees Earth through the top of a canopy, or chases the sunset at a leisurely pace at treetop height. The wings and tail of the XL-58 were covered with a 1.8-ounce non-certified fabric and sealed using the polyfiber process. But the original silver poly spray finish proved hard to spot against the floor clutter, so I added paint with latex house paint after the plane was at the airport.

This non-traditional procedure has been used for years on experimental/homebuilt aircraft with good results, and I am satisfied with the quality and low cost of the final finish of my Eagle. The ability to add the coat of paint without resorting to the spray application was a big bonus in the airport hangar. A Meco Midget torch is ideal for welding the Legal Eagle shell and associated brackets. The helmet protector fits well on bifocal glasses and is comfortable to wear for long work sessions. The welding wire used was ER70S6, and 1 pound of it was enough for the hull. The knife has both two thumb buttons and a pinball machine, so it can be easily opened with both hands. A spring-assisted opening makes it much faster to unfold. The secure locking mechanism ensures that it doesn`t accidentally close on your fingers or open in your pocket. Lest anyone think that the Eagle ULM will reduce the flight reflexes sharpened by the RV, you can be sure that learning a very light aircraft can improve flying skills and challenge even an experienced pilot. There`s a full range of features to explore, even if it`s at speeds and altitudes that aren`t common with the motorhome.

I spent several hundred hours in light aircraft, but the last 1100 hours were exclusively in the RV-6. Therefore, I was only partially prepared for the amazing lightness of the eagle. Although the XL-58 is flown with controls familiar to a Champ or Cub pilot, the ultra-low wing loading and in-flight weight allow for a dilating transition for the eyes, which is accustomed to aircraft that weigh hundreds of pounds heavier than the Eagle. A stiff breeze is not a challenge to fly; It`s a challenge when you ride! And flying in the midday turbulence brings a new appreciation of how our atmosphere is made up of invisible vortices and eddies. Although the XL has a traditional plane shape, the ultralight pilot needs to know how to affect the performance of the aircraft with low weight and high drag to avoid causing problems if the aircraft is mismanaged due to a rapid drop in speed. But after a few hours of acclimatization and shakedown flights, I learned to appreciate the classic features of my Eagle and how well suited it is for its intended use. The Legal Eagle is an honest aircraft: it will reward the pilot smoothly and embarrass the ham fist, and this is where the key to the satisfaction obtained through the demonstration of good flying skills lies. The Eagle pilot is reminded that only coordinated flight can keep the ball where it belongs. Flying a passage over a rural runway and watching the eagle`s wheels gently rush into the grass without touching the earth is a simple pleasure for which this aircraft is perfectly suited. The only way to share the Legal Eagle single-seater flight experience is via HD video during the flight. An HD170 stealth drift camera is mounted on the Eagle fuselage, allowing most flights to be recorded for analysis or sharing. This is a screenshot of a video created at a resolution of 720p.

A remote microphone is located behind the seat so that realistic sounds of the loud roar of half the VW can be recorded. Hunters, campers, backpackers and survivalists can enjoy the light and modified tip and deep pocket transport. No more attempts to find the lost knife on a piece of rough track. The chassis panels weigh about 30 pounds each and contain anti-drag spruce diagonals, a lightweight plywood leading edge, and integrated spars. The ailerons are built with the wing and then replaced after completion. The hinges are simple pins made of spruce blocks and make it easy to remove the fins. For detailed data on CLR Bruce Rivers` audience demographics, read the full report. Check audience location, languages, age and gender, and other valuable YouTube stats. The ribs are made up of 1/4-inch strips of spruce hat and folds of lightweight plywood, and I found that each of the 26 ribs could be built in 30 minutes in total.

After two weeks of part-time work, a diligent construction worker can be rewarded with a stack of ribs ready to be assembled on the spars.