ethan

my overpriced blinky LEDs have arrived

Duffy Threatens Dismissal for Controllers Who Falsely Call in Sick - AvBrief.com FAA says thousands of flights have been delayed in the last week, more than half because of staff shortages.

Here's an AvBrief article about the story you posted
avbrief.com/duffy-threat...

So Long AVweb, Hello AVBrief - AvBrief.com My old publication AVweb is changing so we're carrying on its traditions with a new publication called AVBrief

If you didn't know, consider supporting avbrief over avweb. Firecrown media fired their former chief editor Russ Niles in favor of pushing more LLM generated content on their platforms. AvBrief article about it: avbrief.com/so-long-avwe...

photo of a six pack panel in a long EZ with analog engine gauges and other old avionics

current panel for reference

I've eliminated the GI275 though and shifted things around a little in the newer version

all glass, here's the CAD with the displays mocked in: bsky.app/profile/etha...

a metal aircraft panel cutout

test fit panel came today. already made quite a few changes to the next version, but I'll take it out to the plane tomorrow to check the overall fit, which was the primary goal

practically speaking it's going to be identical to the TSO version (which are almost $1300). still too many dollars for either in my humble opinion

AEROLEDS PULSAR 660 EXP STROBE LIGHTS NON TSO FOR EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT Select Model: [Pair - Left & Right] Left Right Select Voltage: [14V] 28V $938.00/Each

really feels like it should be a bit cheaper for some LEDs

A photo looking across the left side of a Long EZ in flight. Above the horizon are some scattered clouds, and below there is farmland

Another 4.2 hours added to the logbooks today. Made it a little over half way home. I did about 140kts ground speed most of the way during cruise at ~60% power, and I only burned about 20 gallons. Some minor issues with the radio/intercom, so might upgrade that sooner than originally planned.

Thanks!

🫡

That's about how long I'm expecting haha. I'm thinking the panel update will give me a second wind though. What ended it for you?

Definitely lots of new thoughts, feelings, and experiences today! I'll take it easy!

I'm still smiling from this first flight :) I've already got a lot of work planned out though, so we'll see how long the honeymoon phase lasts!

a photo from the front seat of a Long EZ looking over the left canard and hillscape below

first Long EZ flight in the books and officially a plane owner! 🛩️

super cool. I got really close to doing my sea plane rating just for the heck of it when I was living in Minnesota. never have been in a sea plane though

Might be too far out of the way, but the USS Hornet museum in Alameda is worth a trip

a photo of the morning sun with rays shooting through the clouds and green fields and a cessna wing in view

lovely morning for some flying 🛩️💺

Congrats on the PIC time and hopefully lots more to come!

I'll put the GNX 375, G5, and GI 275 in all at once

I like physical buttons for the AP :) G5 + GMC 507 can control the AP if the GDU is down too which is kinda nice

breaking up the upgrades primarily, and the G5 will become the backup

I've only heard good things about the Trio EZ autopilot, but eventually I'd like to replace it with Garmin GFC 500 for the system integration, and at the same time I'll add in a display and remote mount a com. For now, I'll keep the Trio EZ and Microair M760 com

GNX 375 for an IFR navigator & ADSB transponder

G5 - ADAHRS to replace the six pack

GI 275 - digital engine monitoring

This is also enough for light IFR in an EAB, but there's no backup instruments, so it's mostly for popping through a quick cloud layer, or to be able to file an IFR flight plan

CAD model of Long EZ instrument panel with a GMC 507, GNX 375, G5, GDU 460, and GI 275

I've been mocking up a new panel for the soon to be my Long EZ. I've still got some details to work out once I can take more measurements in the plane, but the tentative plan is to put in a GNX 375, G5, and GI 275, and eventually add in a GFC 500 autopilot and GDU 460 (G3XT display)

I'm no artist but I had to draw up a new profile pic to match

helps to break it up for sure, but that's still a lot of flying for a day. thanks for sharing the trip pics!

my longest flight was just over 5 (with autopilot) and I was tired afterwards lol. 10 is a lot!

thank you!