Managed to get a bit done over the bank holiday.  All of the the control cables are now coiled and named, and I have a transport and work frame!  The castors should be here by the end of the week, so once those are attached I'll have a movable frame that I use to work on the cockpit - strip out, connect up the controls, sort out the pots, etc until I build the big permanent frame that will house the hydraulics.

Well, I'll admit there's been a bit of a break.  This was due to the entire project being in jeopardy as my teacher was unsure as to whether it would satisfy the complexity requirements.  Sure, it's gonna be hard work, but in the end it's just connecting up some wires and building a frame.  Then my Dad and I had a thought.  Movement.  Damn tricky, but we would end up with a brilliant training tool that would smash the A level requirements at the end of it.  We looked through all of the options: Electro pneumatic actuators.  Not enough power, too slow and too little range.  Suspending the entire fuselage and adjusting the wires to tilt it.  Failed due to complexity and safety concerns!  So we finally settled on hydraulics (the obvious choice).  Fairly compact, powerful, and with a large enough range.  The only downside being that they are a bit on the pricey side.  Nevertheless, my ever entrepreneurial Dad said he would finance them.  (Probably because he wants exclusive usage rights when it's finished!)  Now that the project is rolling again, I need to talk to our resident hydraulic company (wait for them to finish laughing then explain that I'm genuinely serious!), work out how the hell I'm gonna get the hydraulics synchronised with the computer output (any suggestions would be gratefully received!) and strip out the cockpit!  On the upside, we went to Tangmere the other day, and I had a look at their excellent Lightning simulator (Do it!  It's awesome!).  Bob kindly showed me how they had connected the controls to the potentiometers, so I have some idea of what I'm aiming for on that side.  Also, my gliding instructor has given me a load of rotary potentiometers, connectors and the computer interface.  A good start!  Anyhow, I'll keep this page updated with how it progresses!

Finally managed to get the scanner to play ball, so here are all the measurements we took yesterday.

After cutting up the fuselage we attacked it with a tape measure and a pair of scales.  I genuinely think that we now know more about the cockpit than the designers do!

We decided that the best place to cut the fuselage was was behind the wing root.  I can tell you, we got some funny looks when we drove past one way with a whole glider and back the other with half!!

The chances are, if you've found this blog, then you're a glider pilot.  If you're a glider pilot, then you're probably aware of the Blanik L-13 situation.  If you're not heard about this, then here is a rapid summary.  Basically, in June 2010 a wing spar failed during flight, resulting in the loss of life of both pilots.  There are several explanations, but in essence, all Blanik L-13's are permanently grounded until they have had an expensive wing spar modification.  Unfortunately, my club cannot afford it, so both our Blaniks were going for scrap.  Until I had a cunning plan.  What if the cockpit could be converted into a simulator for training use?  Everyone tentatively agreed, and I was left with the entire glider on its trailer to do what I could.  Now, I don't think their expectations are very high, so I'm determined to put my A-level DT skills to good use and end up with a quality product.  I'll keep this blog updated, and if anyone else has a Blanik that they don't know what to do with, then be inspired!!