#eaa — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #eaa, aggregated by home.social.
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A week ago I had my third emergency detached retina surgery. Earlier today the surgeon conducted a one-week post-op exam and said I'm healing fine with everything looking good...so far.
The surgeon deliberately put a gas bubble in my eye, so I can't return to the mountains until that bubble is gone...in 4 to 6 weeks.
Once I get back home, I will do a few minor things to the glider, then assemble it again for a full-power taxi test.
I need to cultivate more patience....
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Retina #Eye #Surgery #Medicine #Vision
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To celebrate #GAAD, we're hosting a free, two-hour digital accessibility fundamentals training for Europe.
Already familiar? Encourage your colleagues to attend.
Register now: https://accessibility.deque.com/gaad-2026-europe-bootcamp
Date: Thursday, May 21
Time: 13:00 (BST), 14:00 (CET) -
What does the European Accessibility Act (EAA) mean for your business? Join David Swallow and Sight and Sound Technology on Wednesday, May 20 and get your questions answered. Register: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c1eec7ff-9fa9-4615-8038-300e3230b173@9d76d91d-0dda-48c3-aa02-5a7a6056bfc0
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La semaine dernière, notre collègue @luce est intervenue lors d’un webinaire organisé par Ezymob pour présenter les obligations légales en matière d’accessibilité numérique en France.
Pour aller plus loin, nous vous proposons une ressource claire et à jour pour faire le point sur les normes en vigueur, à savoir :
les obligations liées au RGAA et leur articulation avec la norme européenne EN 301 549.
Vous pouvez la consulter ici : https://a42.fr/obligationslegales
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»Here is the uncomfortable truth about the European Accessibility Act. Compliance with it is not the same as being accessible. Not even close.«
#EAA #a11y #Barrierefreiheit #accessibility
https://gbbns.co/journal/accessibility-problem-isnt-design/ -
#Development #Approaches
The accessibility problem isn’t design · “It’s about who’s writing the front-end code.” https://ilo.im/16c238_____
#Accessibility #Compliance #EAA #AI #Automation #Tooling #Design #WebDesign #WebDev #Frontend -
#Development #Approaches
The accessibility problem isn’t design · “It’s about who’s writing the front-end code.” https://ilo.im/16c238_____
#Accessibility #Compliance #EAA #AI #Automation #Tooling #Design #WebDesign #WebDev #Frontend -
The Accessibility Problem Isn’t Design—It’s Engineering, by @gbbns.co:
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WEBINAR APR 2 – European Accessibility Act Compliance Requirements Explained
REGISTER | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK
On Thursday April 2, 2026, at 11;00-12:30 EDT (15:00-16:30 UTC) the WordPress Accessibility Meetup hosts a webinar 'European Accessibility Act Compliance Requirements Explained'. The European Accessibility Act requires a number of things beyond technical accessibility to WCAG/EN 301 549 guid
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61% van de grootste Nederlandse webwinkels is niet digitaal toegankelijk: mensen met bijvoorbeeld een visuele beperking kunnen er geen bestelling plaatsen. Dit blijkt uit onze controles bij ongeveer 100 van de grootste Nederlandse webwinkels en websites van de grootste telecom- en energieaanbieders.
Digitale toegankelijkheid is sinds vorig jaar verplicht voor grote websites. Bedrijven die niet of onvoldoende verbeteringen doorvoeren riskeren handhaving. ⤵️
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I'm blind. I use a screen reader every day — to write code, to ship software, to navigate the internet.
Automated tools catch ~30% of accessibility issues. I catch the rest.
Now taking on 3-4 accessibility consulting clients for Q2. EAA is in effect — compliance isn't optional.
https://jessicategner.com/consulting
#accessibility #EAA #WCAG #a11y #ScreenReader #WebAccessibility #EN301549 #OpenSource #blind
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Die Behörde hat jetzt ein Gesicht und ein paar Aussagen zur Handhabung.
- Bislang 500 Meldungen (nicht 100% klar ob absolut oder nur für die Buchbranche)
- “grundlegende Veränderung” oder “unverhältnismäßige Belastung” müssen aktiv gemeldet werden
- „Nicht, nicht rechtzeitig, unvollständig oder unrichtig abgegebene Mitteilungen [zur Nonkonformität können als] Ordnungswidrigkeit gewertet werden und eröffnen die Möglichkeit, ein Bußgeldverfahren einzuleiten“https://www.boersenblatt.net/news/verlage-news/sanktionen-sind-fuer-uns-stets-das-letzte-mittel-414695 #EAA #BFSG
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Prévue pour l'été 2025, la publication du RGAA 5 est repoussée à fin 2026.
Cette mise à jour majeure du référentiel vise à intégrer les critères des WCAG 2.2. Quid par contre de la nouvelle version de la norme européenne EN 301 549, attendue pour fin octobre 2026 ?
Autre source d’interrogation, l’ajout de nouveaux critères techniques pour les applications mobiles et les documents bureautiques dans un référentiel unique.
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My 1st talk for #EUOpenSourceWeek is done. Great to present on #a11y #WAD & #EAA at the #Drupal4Gov
I'm enjoying the great talks. Recurring focus on #procurement & drive to #DigitalSovereignty
Looking forward to #FOSDEM on the weekend.
Photo isn't me.
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My 1st talk for #EUOpenSourceWeek is done. Great to present on #a11y #WAD & #EAA at the #Drupal4Gov
I'm enjoying the great talks. Recurring focus on #procurement & drive to #DigitalSovereignty
Looking forward to #FOSDEM on the weekend.
Photo isn't me.
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My 1st talk for #EUOpenSourceWeek is done. Great to present on #a11y #WAD & #EAA at the #Drupal4Gov
I'm enjoying the great talks. Recurring focus on #procurement & drive to #DigitalSovereignty
Looking forward to #FOSDEM on the weekend.
Photo isn't me.
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My 1st talk for #EUOpenSourceWeek is done. Great to present on #a11y #WAD & #EAA at the #Drupal4Gov
I'm enjoying the great talks. Recurring focus on #procurement & drive to #DigitalSovereignty
Looking forward to #FOSDEM on the weekend.
Photo isn't me.
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My 1st talk for #EUOpenSourceWeek is done. Great to present on #a11y #WAD & #EAA at the #Drupal4Gov
I'm enjoying the great talks. Recurring focus on #procurement & drive to #DigitalSovereignty
Looking forward to #FOSDEM on the weekend.
Photo isn't me.
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Reposting from European Association of Archaeologists
@archaeologyeaa.bsky.social:
The #EAA is pleased to launch the Bridging Heritage and Hope scholarship programme, offering opportunities for Master’s students, PhD candidates, and early-career archaeologists from conflict and post-conflict regions in Europe and the Mediterranean to participate in the #EAA2026.
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https://www.e-a-a.org/EAA/News___Publications/News_Items/Bridging-Heritage-and-Hope.aspx -
Next week in Brussels, I'm speaking at Drupal4Gov EU as part of #EUOpenSourceWeek
The #WAD, the #EAA & #Drupal. Now what?
The June 2025 deadline has passed. The risk now is false confidence & operational debt.
10:35am, Jan 29, 2026
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Next week in Brussels, I'm speaking at Drupal4Gov EU as part of #EUOpenSourceWeek
The #WAD, the #EAA & #Drupal. Now what?
The June 2025 deadline has passed. The risk now is false confidence & operational debt.
10:35am, Jan 29, 2026
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Next week in Brussels, I'm speaking at Drupal4Gov EU as part of #EUOpenSourceWeek
The #WAD, the #EAA & #Drupal. Now what?
The June 2025 deadline has passed. The risk now is false confidence & operational debt.
10:35am, Jan 29, 2026
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Next week in Brussels, I'm speaking at Drupal4Gov EU as part of #EUOpenSourceWeek
The #WAD, the #EAA & #Drupal. Now what?
The June 2025 deadline has passed. The risk now is false confidence & operational debt.
10:35am, Jan 29, 2026
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Next week in Brussels, I'm speaking at Drupal4Gov EU as part of #EUOpenSourceWeek
The #WAD, the #EAA & #Drupal. Now what?
The June 2025 deadline has passed. The risk now is false confidence & operational debt.
10:35am, Jan 29, 2026
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The glider now has 12 pounds of lead shot and epoxy added to dead space in the very end of the tail boom.
My initial estimate of volume indicated that I could add 8 - 10 pounds this way. I'm pleasantly surprised, and I didn't make a chocolate covered mess of things as I was pouring this goop into the tail.
I need to add a few more pounds to the tail. Phase two of this project will use lead plate, bolted to the vertical fin spar. (I need to unroll the 1/4-inch plate first, then develop a template to cut the lead.)
I could not add the epoxy/lead shot mix all at once because of the exothermic reaction of epoxy. When mixed epoxy is in a thick blob (instead of a thin layer), it generates enough heat to warm itself...which accelerates the chemical reaction...releasing more heat...further accelerating the reaction.... I have seen epoxy smoking hot because of this, so I added a bit, waited a half hour, checked temperature with an IR non-contact thermometer, added a bit more when it was clear that the exotherm was only very mild, etc. That took a while, but turned out well.
I note that Roto Metals has a discount on some 1-inch lead plate. Get your fork lift ready. No free shipping!
https://www.rotometals.com/lead-sheet-plates/sheet-lead-1-64-lbs-sq-ft/
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Ballast #Math #Density #Exothermic #Chemistry #Thermodynamics #Lead #Epoxy
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The glider's 3rd battery now has a sewn carrying handle that makes it easier and safer to install in the crowded battery box.
Next, I need to devise a retaining system for it and finish the wiring harness that connects it to the rest of the system.
Progress will slow for the next day or two because the things I have ordered (epoxy, lead shot, etc.) will be delayed while we ride out a snowstorm that should end tomorrow.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Safety #Battery #Sewing
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Where does the 'typical' glider battery go in this electric glider?
In the battery box, next to the high voltage motor batteries.
My final decision on this battery location depended on the weight and balance measurements I made last week. It shows that I need to add weight to the tail...so, the heaviest batteries are full-aft in the battery box, and this 3rd battery goes in front. All of this is aft of the tail in the fuselage/tail boom.
I now need to sew some sort of sack and carrying handle for this battery. It's not a heavy battery, but I want a secure way to handle it as I install/remove it.
Above my hand is a black/gray marbled-pattern object. It's a yoga block. That semi-dense foam will be cut to size to take up any dead space along the sides of the battery box to prevent the batteries from banging side-to-side if the other retaining systems fail.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Safety #Battery
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My glider will use a tow rope that is too strong. That rope, when under maximum pull, may damage the glider.
I need to install a weak link as a mechanical 'safety fuse'.
Here is one weak link system I can use:
https://wingsandwheels.com/tost-weak-link.htmlBut which weak link is appropriate for my glider?
Federal Aviation regulations require a tow rope (or weak link) to have a certain breaking strength with regard to the maximum operating weight of the glider:
"The towline used has breaking strength not less than 80 percent of the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle and not more than twice this operating weight."
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-91/subpart-D/section-91.309
To complicate matters, my glider can carry 400 pounds of water ballast. When I'm flying 'dry', I would prefer to have a weak link that is just strong enough for the dry glider, and when flying 'wet' I would prefer a (somewhat stronger) weak link appropriate to the heavier operating weight.
See the second graphic, which shows which Tost weak links I can use in the dry or wet ballast condition.
I will start out getting the weakest weak links allowed (green, yellow, and white) and see if that launches me well without premature weak link breaks.
Pro-tip. Try not to lift the rear end of the ground launch car.
https://youtu.be/kd9QxRPb3hk?t=33#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Math #Weight #Safety
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My glider needs the center of gravity shifted aft, so I need to add weight in the tail.
The first photo is looking into the rudder cove (rudder removed). I can bolt some lead plates to the flat face of the vertical fin spar, but I will need even more weight added back here.
Note that the rudder hinge support is glowing green...a flashlight on the other side is illuminating it.
That part is hollow and it's nothing but dead space. I can add lead shot and epoxy in there.
The second photo shows the view of this pale green fiberglass part from the other side. Before I can add lead shot in there, I need to add a dam to retain it while the epoxy cures.
Third photo shows a piece of scrap Plexiglas that fits up against the end of the rudder hinge support.
Final photo shows the Plexiglas dam glued into place with RTV silicone caulk. It has a semicircular cutout that allows a larger diameter piece of tubing to be placed there while I pour lead shot and epoxy into a funnel and fill that empty space.
Half of the caulking work was done blind and by feel. I am accessing this tight space from the inspection port in the side of the vertical fin. There is just enough room for one hand and this part to pass through the port and then get positioned. I practiced before applying the caulk so I knew exactly how to position and twist the part so that I didn't make a mess and most of the caulk ended up in the desired location.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Epoxy #Ballast #Lead #Plexiglas
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The electric glider's two main batteries each weigh about 16 Kg (36 lbs). I need a positive restraint system that can handle vibration and especially negative G.
Yesterday evening I epoxied in place some retaining blocks for the two battery clamping bars, but the garage gets cold overnight. I placed an incandescent lamp over the top of the battery box and wrapped some towels as a 'tent' to keep the warm air from easily escaping. This allowed the battery box to stay slightly warmer and accelerate the curing of the epoxy.
The second photo shows one end of a battery clamping bar (yellow) that fits under a carbon fiber inverted shelf (black). On each side of the clamping bar there are now two blocks of garolite (pale green) that prevent the battery block from sliding off to the side.
Garolite (G-10) is commonly used as the substrate for printed circuit boards, and you can get it in significant thickness, which is what I need.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-10_(material)
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Epoxy #Chemistry #Temperature #Garolite
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For the glider's ground support equipment, there is good news and bad news in the first photo.
The good news is that the eScooter has more than enough pulling power to move the glider about on a smooth, level paved surface.
The bad news is that this version of the red tow bar means that any sideways push against the tail of the glider is transmitted to the eScooter...and makes it extremely difficult to keep the scooter from toppling over.
I had to re-design the tow bar.
The second photo shows what I've come up with. Now the wheel on the yellow tail dolly carries the weight of the glider's tail and reacts to any sideways loads. The eScooter merely needs to provide the pulling force and doesn't have to deal with those sideways forces. That should be much easier and safer for the driver.
The next time I assemble the glider at the airport, I'll give this towbar a final test with the eScooter.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Logistics #Design #Dynamics #Physics
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Where is the center of gravity of the empty glider located?
If you measure the location of the main wheel and tail wheel (reference to something such as the glider's nose), and the weight each of them carry...you can do the math to answer that question.
Where is the center of gravity when the pilot is in the glider?
Climb in, and then take the same measurements.
Now I know if I need to add trim weights to the nose or tail, and how much.
Determining center of gravity location is critical for safety of flight and good handling characteristics. I'll do these measurements and math more than once so I can be very confident of the results.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Aerodynamics #Math #Mass #Weight #Balance #Safety
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One surface of one glider wing has now been covered with mylar gap seal tape.
Tomorrow I will flip the wing over and apply gap seal tape to the other surface.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Fairing #Drag #Aerodynamics
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Gliders often go to significant lengths to reduce drag.
My flaperons are driven by a push-pull tube that exits the wing skin and pushes against an external drive horn. There are two of these setups on each wing...four external devices that need fairings.
But they and the flaperons move. That complicates things.
First photo shows one push-pull tube and drive horn without fairings.
Second photo shows the inner/smaller fairing that will eventually be glued into place.
Third photo shows both fairings in place and the flaperon near the limit of its down travel.
Fourth photo shows both fairings and the flaperon approaching the limit of its upward travel.
One fairing of the two pairs on one wing are drying overnight. Tomorrow morning, I will make final adjustments to the remaining inner fairings and then glue them in place.
I'm using RTV silicone, which needs humid air to cure well. It's winter in New Mexico and the air is super dry. I have put a very large pot of water on the wood stove to humidify the air overnight.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Fairing #Drag #Aerodynamics
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I need to make a cloth canopy cover for the glider.
Now that I have the canopy installed, I can measure overall length of the planned cover and the width at various points.
I'll lay out a pattern on paper that is 1/4 or 1/3 of the overall width...like gores for a hot air balloon.
I have three different types of stretch fabric from very light to somewhat heavy. We'll see what results I get.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Sewing #Fabric
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The glider winglets need a protective box during transport to and from the airport.
Now that I know it's big enough to hold them (I'll add foam cushions later), it's time to slap on some leftover red and yellow Rustoleum on the exterior.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA
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The FAA registration number has been applied to both sides of the fuselage tail boom.
Tomorrow I will apply mylar gap seal tape along the junction of the moveable rudder and the vertical fin.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #FAA
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This video shows the flapperons moving as camber-changing flaps. The two control surfaces move in unison. My flap control system has five settings. The central setting is flaps zero or flaps neutral. Two settings increase the camber more, which is suitable for low speed flight. Two settings decrease camber... this is when the two flapperons move upwards.... and this is suitable for higher speed flight.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Technology #Wing #Aileron #Flap #Flaperon
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Adjusting the flaperons.
This video shows them operating as ailerons. I move the control stick side to side.
Note that at max deflection, the control surface moves above neutral position more than it moves below neutral position. This is the principle of differential ailerons. It helps reduce adverse yaw.
The first comment to this toot will be a video showing the motion of the flaperons as camber changing flaps.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Technology #Wing #Aileron #Flap #Flaperon
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The glider's flight controls need final rigging/adjustments.
First photo shows that the left and right spoilers are extended the same amount, which is the desired condition.
But we need to check and ensure that they also lock (into the over center position) identically.
Second photo shows the view of one of the spoiler drive arms, as seen through an inspection port. I have added black marks to show when the arm is in the over center position.
How do I adjust the action/throw of the spoilers to ensure they are synchronized? By adjusting the length of push-pull tubes, such as the one I'm pointing to in the third photo.
Now that the spoilers are adjusted, I need to do similar checks and adjustments of the flaperons.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Technology #Wing #Spoiler
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Looks like the FAA is following through on pushing GA traffic out of major airports.
Being reported all over:
"FAA Bans Most General Aviation Flights At 12 U.S. Airports"
Lots of exceptions to this, but only for medical, law enforcement, military etc.
These include:
ORD, DFW, DEN, BOS, IAH, ATL, JFK, EWR, PHX, LAX, DCA and SEA.
#avgeeks #aviation #airlines #GA #EAA #NBAA #AOPA #Airports #travel
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The glider instruments need to be tested in a more holistic way...as holistic as you can get when the fuselage is sitting in the garage.
First photo shows tubing attached to the pitot probe. The long external tube allows me to add pressure to the pitot system while looking at the instruments on the panel.
Second photo shows the airspeed indicator (small round display) and glide computer screens. Both of those systems have pitot pressure sensors. I have pressurized the external tubing so that the airspeed indicator shows about 105 knots indicated airspeed. As you can see in the lower part of the glide computer display (V IAS)...the two devices agree within about 1 knot. I can't ask for better than that. (The vario also has a pitot pressure input, but it also uses GPS. It's very confused and angry that GPS says the glider is stationary, but it's supposedly moving through the air at a ridiculous speed. I may have to wait until flight testing to really evaluate the total-system performance of this advanced vario.)
Another bit of good news is that the leakage rate of the pressurized and sealed pitot system is pretty low. After a minute or two the indicated airspeed only drops a few percent at the most. That's not perfect, but it's pretty good.
Third photo shows what the instrument panel looks like when all the devices/screens are running. That's right, if I lose electrical power, my instrument panel is a blank, black hole.
Since I powered up all the screens, it means I'm ready to hook up an ammeter to measure current draw of each device, and my maximum load when everything is running. I'll do that tomorrow.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Technology #Instruments #Avionics #Test #Testing #Pressure #Airspeed
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The glider canopy is installed on the front pivot, which means I was able to fit all the tubing and wires under the instrument panel's glare shield.
I have found one or two areas of minor interference between moving parts, so I'll work on that tomorrow.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Technology #Canopy
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Because the back side of the glider's instrument panel is so crowded, I have moved the vario speaker to the space under the turtle deck, aft of the wing spars.
To make connections easier, I added some 3.5mm audio jacks and plugs to the speaker box and the long cable running aft. (2nd photo)
The first photo shows one audio plug and two jacks. What's up with that?
The standalone vario has an audio output, and the glide computer also has an audio output. They use different styles of sound, programmable with slightly different parameters. Now I can more easily choose and change which audio output I want to use.
This should end my soldering work. Tomorrow I'll be working on (third photo) all the pneumatic connections from the three pressure probes: pitot, static, and total energy...to all the flight instruments that need these pressure signals.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Audio #Wiring #Speaker #Pneumatic #Technology
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Progress on the carbon fiber glider...with denim fabric!
The control stick needs a boot to keep odd bits from falling down into the flight control linkages and making for unpleasant surprises while flying.
I'm using Dual Lock to hold the boot in place around its base. Dual Lock has a better life span than fabric hook and loop Velcro.
https://www.strouse.com/blog/tips-for-using-dual-lock-tapeFirst photo is a closeup that shows the small mushroom head fasteners. It has adhesive backing that works fine on rigid surfaces, but I gave it some help by stitching it onto the Denim fabric with a simple sewing machine, heavy needle, and thick thread. (Second photo.)
Third photo shows strips of Dual Lock around the hole in the floor pan.
Final photo shows that it fits well enough, stays in place, and doesn't interfere with the stick's full range of motion 'around the box'.
I did not use a zipper along the length of the boot. I merely made the top hole slightly larger than the widest part of the control stick.
The denim is a leg from a pair of jeans that I cut off. I was shopping a few months ago and for some reason trousers were less expensive than a pair of shorts...so I cut off the legs when I got home and proudly wear jorts.
I'll probably clean up the denim's edges, but for now I'm happy that it fits.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Sewing #Denim #Fabric #Boot #Jorts
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Taking a step back before moving forward.
The glider's instrument panel and canopy pivot upward and are propped open with a flat piece of carbon fiber.
I use the longest 'plank' as possible so that it's easier for me to enter and exit the cockpit, but that plank is now so long that when it folds down (when the instrument panel is lowered)...that it interferes with the thick loop of tubes, wires, and cables that are bundled with spiral wrap.
I can cut a wide U-notch in the plank to accommodate the cable bundle, but first I have to add more stop-blocks that will engage the edges of the wide plank because I'm cutting away the central section.
First photo is shows the setup that allows interference with the cable bundle.
Second photo shows my Rube Goldberg solution.
Onward!
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA
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I have checked the alignment of the pitot tube with the horizontal axis of the glider's tail boom.
I had to put the glider in a level flight attitude to align the inertial measurement unit in the variometer, and will do it again when I perform the weight and balance analysis.
The first photo shows a small portion of the tail boom, which has a gentle conical profile. Because of that, I had to put a calibrated spacer at one end of the bubble level. (I also double-checked by putting the same setup on the bottom of the tail boom...the boom is now level.)
I took the opportunity to measure the inclination of the pitot tube that is mounted high on the vertical fin. It's well within one degree of level also, which is what I want. (If you keep misalignment under about 15 degrees, the pitot tube should provide accurate indications of total pressure.)
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Sensor #Technology #IMU #INS
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The final instrument has been installed, and it passes basic function tests.
It's a modern glider variometer that has an inertial measuring unit, two GNSS receivers, a three-axis magnetic field sensor, and two air pressure sensors. It can determine the true flight path, in 3D, very precisely, and its response time to changes in air motion is very short.
In this short video, I show that the vario display (small round screen) is sharing data with the glide computer (larger rectangular screen). As I raise the instrument panel, the artificial horizon shows a corresponding change.
Here's a good explanation and demo:
https://youtu.be/RoCG2RNBR_k?si=ML8QYJ5HzvSivLW1#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Sensor #Technology #Wind #IMU #INS
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Saw this on my morning gocomics.com run today and it made me chuckle.
Apparently, the artist has been talking to the other members at my #EAA chapter. It is sort of a running joke I am the last guy on Earth that should ever attempt to build an airplane because, yes, I would probably try to use "airplane tape."
#avgeeks #aviation #airplanes #pilotlife #flying #experimental #EAA #aircraft
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Installing the flaperon on the glider's wing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaperon
It's a full-span flaperon, in two halves. Each half is almost 12 feet long.
Each flaperon half has 8 hinges made of a pintle/gudgeon pair. (1st photo)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pintle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudgeon
When installing the outer flaperon half, I also have to engage two sets of pin/sockets that ensure the two halves move as one unit. (2nd photo) (Each flaperon half is driven by its own flight control linkage, not shown here.)
One of the 8 hinges on each flaperon half also serves as a retainer that handles side loads. (3rd and 4th photos.)
The flaperon halves are intentionally not very stiff longitudinally so that they flex with the wing, but they are much stiffer radially to resist deformation because they are driven at only one point by the flight control linkage. This feature is fairly easy to achieve in composite fabrication because you can orient the fabric fibers in certain directions. In this case we used Kevlar, not carbon or fiberglass.)
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