New here

[Wade D]

Hello all, I just found this site and I’m glad I did. I started building a RV12 about 3 years ago. Shortly after completing the tail kit and getting started on the wings “mosaic” happened so I put that project on hold. I really never considered an ultralight until recently when a friend introduced me to a friend who let me fly his Hawk aero II. Now I’m hooked. I just ordered the LEXL plans and the Iron designs wing supplement.
I am still researching anything else I may need other than materials.
I am a welder fabricator in my early 50’s. I have an extensive welding, fabrication, and mechanical background. I am confident in everything about the build but the fabric. I’ve been doing the YouTube University to get some knowledge on covering the aircraft.
Any extra information, tips, or guidance would be welcomed. I may end up building two, my oldest son is also interested. He is a flight Nurse in NC and attending medical school. We have both been interested in aviation for many years.
I’m glad I found this forum and I’m looking forward to learning here and my build! I live in NE Arizona 85925 if there are any owners builders around me I’d love to see your aircraft.
Thanks in advance,

[Terry Lundby]

Welcome aboard! There are a lot of good people here and tons of information.

[Kamcoman77]

Welcome to the Eagler's Nest! Doing the fabric is one of the fun parts of the build. You do need to make a decision as to which system of covering materials you will use. The Poly-Fiber system is solvent based and has been around for at least 50 years. I imagine well over 50% of LE builders are using this system. The other system is Stewart Systems. It is water based. I am using this system because I can't stand the smell of MEK and Acetone (Poly-Fiber). Watch the YouTube videos about Stewart Systems and you will see there is a major difference in steps to covering. Either system works great, but you should not think about mixing them. I will be using acrylic house paint instead of more expensive stuff. I just added up my costs for covering and paint. Comes to just under $400.00

[Wade D]

Thanks for the info! I’m glad I have a while before the covering stage. I’m definitely going to do some practicing for sure. The water based sounds like the best route to me, the less chemicals the better imo.

[IflyHG]

As far as fabric options you might also consider Oratex600, it is sold in the US by https://betteraircraftfabric.com/

The benefits as I see them are no need to prime and paint, they come already colored, the fabric claims to be lighter than other systems (a big deal with an ultralight), the adhesive system seems easier and faster than the solvent or water based systems, and no solvent.  The only downside I can see is price, the fabric itself is more expensive than other comparable fabrics but that doesn't include the cost of primers, paints and other materials.

[Kamcoman77]

Oratex is great. A man in Australia covered his LEU with Oratex. Look up DC Squared on YouTube for his videos. Costs between $2,000 & $3,000 to cover a Legal Eagle. Way too rich for my blood.

[Wade D]

I will most likely stay with a lower cost fabric. Cost is always a factor!

[Chuck in Indiana]

Oratex is great. A man in Australia covered his LEU with Oratex. Look up DC Squared on YouTube for his videos. Costs between $2,000 & $3,000 to cover a Legal Eagle. Way too rich for my blood.

I looked into it, and it was closer to $4000 by the time it is shipped from Alaska. Another downside is very limited color selection if that matters to you.
Much of the information that was on the Yahoo group has apparently been lost. I found that if you go to the "home" page, when you do a search you will get more results for whatever reason.
I documented building an XL from start to "finish"  on "Chuck's XL in Indiana" I think it was..

[Wade D]

Beautiful airplane! I enjoyed reading through quite a bit of your build thread already. Usually go through a couple of pages of it in the evenings. There are also a few on YouTube that I’ve been watching. Les Homan and a couple of others. I really like the 3 cyl radial it sure looks good on the aircraft. If I have the cash that’s probably the way I’ll go also. If not it will be a V-twin. I live at over 7000’ so I’d like the torque of the Verner! I’m not really a fan of the VW for several reasons and I’m not really a fan of a PSRU for several reasons. Direct drive would be best but I can build a v twin with a reduction unit for next to nothing. But I’ve got a while before I need to make a decision on the engine. I’m looking forward to the wings. I don’t do a lot of wood working so that will be fun. The fuselage and tail feathers will be also, but that’s my forte. Looking forward to this project for sure!

[Chuck in Indiana]

Hi, Wade. I'm not a woodworker either, so that was a great learning experience for me. I bought a few tools that I'd never needed before.. always a good thing to have more tools. 
The wing construction is unconventional. One place where I got in trouble was just making gussets from one sheet. Don't do that.. you need two pieces of each sheet for leading edges.
I tried to show "gotcha" issues and my screwups as I went along to keep someone else from making the same mistakes.
At 7000 ft. I would seriously consider the Verner, but as you said, it will be a while before you need to make that decision if you do the wings, tailfeathers first.. which I recommend.
If you *do* go with the Verner, consider making the front of the fuselage a couple of inches shorter, or move the engine aft so the carb sticks partially into the "cabin" for weight and balance considerations. The new version, the 3VLA, has mounts cast into the crankcase which will greatly simplify mounting.
That is all I have for now, but don't hesitate to ask.

[Wade D]

I appreciate it. I’ve been considering a few options for the firewall and I’m probably going to leave it in a temporary fixture until I make a final decision on the engine. I would really like to get the W/B as good as I can get it. There is quite a bit of weight difference in the engines I’m considering.
I’ll have questions no doubt and I’ll be referring to your build thread and sending messages. It’s great to have a community like this with great people!

[Chuck in Indiana]

Mine is a little nose heavy. I was tricked by people saying the Verner weighs a little less than a half VW. That may be true, but you have to add the weight of the engine mount, oil tank, pretty heavy hoses, starter and ring gear.
That's why I said I'd move the engine back a couple of inches if I had it to do all over again.
If you are talking about the small B&S at your altitude.. I'd reconsider that. 

[Wade D]

It won't be a B&S. Looking at v twins that make 60 hp or higher.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have everything necessary to convert a Moto Guzzi V twin, and being a Guzzi Guy (tm)looked really hard at that, but it's too heavy for the LE airframe.
I'm certainly a V twin guy, though. Tell me more..

[Dan_]

Here's one...

https://www.aeromarine-lsa.com/vtwin/