ADCO Aviation - Legal Eagle XL Ultralight Aircraft Build Series 16 - Landing Gear & Wing Brackets

[@Thinkflite]

How much welding had you done before starting your build? I just hot my oxy/acet welding gear and running practice beads - the idea of making Airworthy welds feels a long way off!

[@davidadkins1926]

well, several things here... I did a lot of practice... couldn't tell you for sure how much... KEEP PRACTICING!!! And some time when you think you're ready to try, take a tube and cut it at a 45 (like the rudder pedal) and tack weld it together, all the way around, put it in a vise & try to break it... If you just bend the tube & the tacks hold the joint - you're probably ready... I had a welder of many fuselages tell me that... I know this may start an armchair war, and you will be criticized by some if you can't make the PERFECT looking weld every time (a lot of builders will not brave the internet for this reason) Many will always say they have been welding for years, but--- (doubt they've ever built an airframe)... Anyways I'm sure someone will chime in here & say how unsafe I'm making this community... But here's the thing, this frame is sooo over engineered... I'm not giving my stamp of approval for poorly welded aircraft obviously, but make it safe - try a destructive test & by the time you get done welding the overly engineered fuse, you'll feel safe making those more critical pieces... And remember, you'll be testing & preflighting before every flight... You built it, so you'll see issues (before they're 'issues') & you'll be able to fix if you need to... Personally, I'm more worried about the welds on my landing gear not holding up rather than all the cross tubes of the truss-like fuse... especially on a slow moving ultralight like ours and how many times have we seen the landing gear crumble (not because of welds by the way) because of forced off field landing & the plane was repaired & flown again... I say that to say this, if you'll feel better, go take an evening corse at your local collage - you won't regret it... but also, don't worry too much, don't let your fears keep you from starting - enjoy the build... Oh BTW, tip - build station 1 completely FIRST! then make the backbone (3 pieces) welded as one completely! then make the bottom COMPLETELY!!! This way you can keep everything straight & completely weld all connections while it's on the bench... then bend the tail end up, add the blocks & connect it all together... this will simplify your build 100 fold... Keep in touch, join the Eaglersnest forum & find someone local... there's a lot of us out there & always feel free to reach out to me...

[@keithschneider6348]

1" of weld will hold 1,000 lbs

[@davidadkins1926]

Thanks, love your inputs... Keep'm coming....

[@Freelancer_Amirul]

Your youtube channel and videos are really awesome. But you don't get more views and subscribers because you don't SEO your videos. By doing SEO you will get more views and subscribers. And your KZbin channel will grow very soon. I am a digital marketer and SEO expert. I can help you if you want. Let me know if you are interested.

[@davidadkins1926]

Thanks, but I'm just here for the builders, not for views...

[@Freelancer_Amirul]

I understand, I can help you in any way you want. I am a digital marketer and SEO expert. I have been working for more than 6 years.@@davidadkins1926