Badlands Traveler Bushplane Build Update 3 - getting close!!

Been a lot of work over the past 3 years getting the Traveler up and running. Mine was the second prototype and used to make a lot of jigs, and figure out a lot of changes from rev1. Also Clint has been patient to let me do a sort of builder assist type project here when I am able to get up to SD and work on it. The finish line is in site. Yet.... it also feels a little like a so close, yet so far away situation as the wiring/panel is pretty tedious and time consuming. But... the BLT will be born soon!! Thanks for following this journey!
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[@markdoan1472]

I think this is the smartest back country plane of them all … It’s exactly what I had in my head before I heard of it .. suspensions type and geometry with hinge point at center of fuselage ind shocks from above , single strut to a more rigid wing , a better more efficient wing without draggy incidence set ups .. long fuselage for leverage and a more efficient tail setup .. When I first saw these planes I said finally .. someone got all the items right for the first time

[@danrenner]

Can't wait to see it in person someday, Todd! Looks awesome! ... You should get Clint, Levi, & crew on camera for more interviews if you can talk them into it.

[@aciagriculturalconstructio2264]

Thats exciting. That sounds like the perfect plane. The cruise speeds are amazing especially when you consider how slow you can land. A constant speed prop would be amazing on this plane.

[@richardturner6278]

So cool man. I get a chubby everytime i see the BLT work its magic

[@Utahforrest]

Winning STOL competitions, cruising 135, stalling 28? Game over

[@rockymountainboy8080]

So exided to go up in it!

[@derekradcliffe3313]

If it had side by side seating and those kinds of number it would, as David Allen Coe said, be the perfect back country plane!!

[@jmoriarty7106]

That JPI 350 is the same one i had installed last year when you were here works great.Can't wait to see the plane in Person.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

ahhhhh!! Didn't realize that John. Will be a good setup then!!

[@midwestbushco]

Hell yeah! Got to fly warhorse. It’s a bad unit!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

agreed!!

[@jessegunderson2605]

Man, I can't wait to see the end result of this and how the 'kits' come out. Why would you ever build a kitfox or other design with this guy out in the wild? I personally love metal wings vs fabric as well, and the windows and access panels folding away are all icing on the cake. I'll take two, where do I sign? :P

[@GravityKnightFlying]

I hear you. I know the kits are still in the works... big undertaking for sure, really hope that all comes together soon, such a neat bird! I like the metal wing over fabric very much as well!

[@Phoenixx5115]

Cool looking helicopter

[@portnuefflyer]

I like the side of cowl access panels! And that rear baggage door...., I'll steal those ideas if I build another plane, or wreck my current one. 15:41 Those nylocs on the firewall/engine mount? They should be all metal type, no? 6 GPH at 105 KNOTS! That's still hauling ass as compared to an S-7, you're going to get jet lag, I'm curious as to the empty weight, I'll guess...., 970 lbs.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Those were supposed to be temp nuts haha. I need to change them out. I think you will be VERY close on weight. I was hoping/dreaming for 950, but expecting sub 975! I may fuel inject this when I can afford it to try and squeeze that already surprisingly good efficiency is! wild!

[@wilmanenamorado3146]

Hello friend, I would love to be able to go see in person. I’m a fan of planes. I’ve never seen one up close❤

[@implanecrazyme6246]

So, you'll be done and bringing it to Oshkosh! ;) What's the info on those seat cushions? Seriously look comfortable.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

unfortunately, got delayed again. wont get to work on it until after oshkosh now. darn it....

[@HookedOnUtah]

so awesome

[@oldmatedownunder2746]

Hell YES!

[@blyz_69]

Very impressive wing with that cruise and stall speed. Do the wings fold back by chance for quick transport/storage?

[@GravityKnightFlying]

agreed! they do not fold unfortunately...

[@s-21mtnflyer70]

Are they planning on selling these as kits or ready to fly?

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Kits are in the works, out of Missouri. The link at the end of the video takes you to that. I'm not sure how far out they are? but they are working on it and I think have made a lot of progress to releasing them! going to be awesome! thanks for the comment!

[@stevethaning8578]

Who is Kevin, at Bad land traveler

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Kevin is building the kits, he is in Missouri. Going to be really neat, lot of work though getting those ready

[@michaelsamson3276]

Get rid of those silly plastic brake lines and the fittings they use. For a couple more ounces you can have a regular aircraft brake system. Check out the Tunda tailwheel.

[@edwomer2969]

I am not criticizing you but have you ever made brake lines? That crazy plastic is what is inside the stainless braiding on aeroquip line as well as all other brands. The braiding is basically a protective cover.

[@michaelsamson3276]

@@edwomer2969 The protective cover is what is important!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

I replaced my plastic only lines on my 7 with the braided lines, but the most vulnerable parts of the brakes on my 7 are the fittings which are down low and more likely to get hit with a rock or stick than the lines. This BLT has Berringer brakes and the fitting is up high and somewhat more protected which is the main thing to me. Anything is possible though. I may end up replacing the outside portion with braided, partially just to keep the plastic out of the sun.

[@michaelsamson3276]

@@GravityKnightFlying A certified aircraft would have hard lines (-3 or-4) with AN fittings down the length of the gear leg and flexible hoses at either end, or at least at the upper end.

[@rockymountainboy8080]

You forgot one thing your girl friend and her son🎉🎉😂😂

[@GravityKnightFlying]

😂😂

[@joem5110]

NTSB doesn't investigate ultralight crashes but I would like to know how this Badland Ultralight crashed. Video is here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inm0iGWjbd2nkKM

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day from Sydney Australia. Do you have any preference between shock absorbers or "bungee cord O rings to dampen landing impact through the triangle frame (landing gear)🦘🌏

[@GravityKnightFlying]

These BLT's use Tony's shocks (TK1 racing) and they are the best absorption on an airplane I've ever seen. Unreal dampening and rebound. The only down side to these is that if they leak down, there is no spring and the plane leans overly badly. ACME built the shocks for my current turbo S7. They are good, though the dampening and rebound falls quite a lot short of the Tk1, long travel setup on the BLT. Partially that is due to the cabane limitations on the S7. But.. the ACME's have a spring inside that supports the plane even if you lose the gas/oil. ACME has been very good to me, so I will recommend them as a lightweight, strong solution for RANS, experimental cubs etc. Good stuff. Both companies build great products. The BLT though with these large TK1 shocks is just next level for how hard you can drop it in, not bounce, and not hit hard.