View Full Version : Pictures of the new landing gear knob
Tomlin
08-27-2007, 01:36 PM
Hi guys and gals
I got to build the Learjet 45 landing gear handle knob on Friday night and Saturday I was able to get started on my MIP too. Pictures are available of the gear handle knob here: http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=283
Matt Olieman
08-27-2007, 01:59 PM
Nice job Eric. You just need a cockpit to go with that :) Hey.... just a step at a time, right Eric? :)
Tomlin
08-27-2007, 03:57 PM
yeah, one step...and one dollar...at a time!
Actually the project is well underway. Currently I can sit at my desk, start up the aircraft (engines, avionics, generators, landing gear, yoke, pedals) and fly with all my avionics minus an FMS/CDU. Like you said, I just need a shell, a MIP (which is under construction along with some panels by myself), and a projector! I am selling some guitar stuff on ebay hopefully soon so I can get the autopilot interfaced, and that's another great step forward. One good thing is that I have gotten the Learjet's air file tweaked pretty good and can actually hand fly the thing most of the time, believe it or not, so it's not been horrible to have not 'direct' autopilot control via hardware for the test flights so far.
Also another good bit of news is that I took delivery of an airconditioner on Friday that will now allow me to start slowly getting the Hangar prepared for transition from the office to the Hangar. The best part of that deal was the a/c was free!
Matt Olieman
08-27-2007, 04:02 PM
So.... you've already got a cockpit.... Let's go flying!!!!! Besides, sound's like you're having way too much fun :)
Nice job on the landing gear, look forward to more pics as you progress onto more items. Thanks for sharing :)
That is nice. You do it on a lathe?
Tomlin
08-28-2007, 11:40 AM
Hi, and yes, the piece was turned on a metal lathe by a friend/step cousin that has helped a ton on the old Boeing project. I basically stood by and made sure it was all going as drawn. He will be helping me make the throttle handles as well as building the control columns.
On another note, you can now see some pictures of my MIP in its current state here: http://www.freewebs.com/flightlevel180/projectphotos.htm
Matt Olieman
08-28-2007, 12:35 PM
Eric, nice to have that kind of connection... This will make your cockpit building life sweat :)
Tomlin
09-18-2007, 11:27 AM
Hi all. You can see the new landing gear indicator at my site at: http://www.freewebs.com/flightlevel180/projectphotos.htm
or some pics below. Believe it or not, the colours actually look better in person than the photos due to the camera's treatment of the light differences.
Hey they work. Good job. After three months, I still haven't wired mine up.
Michael Carter
09-18-2007, 11:10 PM
Nice work there Eric. I'm glad that's one part I didn't have to build.
I like working on larger stuff. I can do the smaller stuff, but I don't like it.
How will you do the indicator legends?
Tomlin
09-19-2007, 09:08 AM
Hi guys, and thanks for the kind remarks. I have had lots of fun building the landing gear indicator, and although it took a few times to get it right, it was well worth it. There may be a few touch ups still, but all in all it's about ready to be installed once the MIP/MIP stand is done.
In regards to legends, it's really a toss-up-a mystery of sorts. See the picture listed here:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0392645/L/
Now look at the thumbnail picture attached. One clearly shows DOWN and the other doesnt. Jeff B. and I (another LJ builder) have discussed this and we suspect that some Learjet 45's have the DOWN legend and others dont. As far as Im concerned, it's okay to not have to create one that looks good and place it on the indicator since I took great care to sand the faces really smooth to give the best appearance with or without the DOWN legend.