2024 Ep 11-Searey Seaplane Spirit of Mackenzie-the end is nigh

The end is in sight! Ten years in, the build of my experimental seaplane, Spirit of Mackenzie, is coming down to the short strokes. Join me as I check off the dwindling number of tasks on my to-do list, and get, what has been up to this point just a lawn ornament, to the point where it can be called an airplane. 99% done and 1% (or is it 90%?) to go!

[@Vladimirthetiny]

Looking very good!!!

[@bobgee999]

Thank you Vladimir for your kind comment. It feels good to be near the end! Onward and upward!

[@leecoulman8647]

You're dreaming your schedule. You have some problems with your avionics planning. Radio: 1. the Searey is VERY (acoustically) noisy. You need a proper intercom/audio mixer. The Flightcom is ok as a radio but really isn't a proper audio mixer with adjustable intercom squelch. 2. You need to get that ELT antenna AWAY from the VHF antenna on top of the aircraft. It will create parasitic radiation patterns that will cause pattern dark areas. The VHF transmitter can also fry your ELT! (I've done it twice!) Check with AC43.13 !!! ELT: The antenna should be installed in a location that does not affect the VHF radio (2 m away-check your ELT installation manual) and will not be destroyed in simple accidents. I have seen flipped over Seareys. Put it nearer the rear of the airplane, like on the turtle deck, well behind the propeller arc. Your can run the coax securing through the boom tube. Transponder: I would not put the transponder antenna less than a metre from my head. That could be 250W blasting your brain cells and it is also restricting the pattern. This is all strictly line-of-site. You need to move it away from the engine and also reduce the coax feeder length. I put one on the nose hatch facing up. Also, consider what you will need to "upgrade" to FAA ADS-B. The Canadian ADS-B mandate is another matter that isn't worth discussing, but if you put the antenna on the nose hatch you have a better chance of it working in your area to the satellite network. (It won't work in a lot of other parts of Canada) Tailwheel steering. I've had my Classic Searey for 16 years and I am still not satisfied with the tailwheel steering. It is very dependent upon the tailwheel strut alignment.