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February 2008
It was a
windy and
cloudy day
on the 10th
of February,
but after a
christening
of the
aircraft
with a
bottle of
champagne
broken on
the nose,
the Gweduck
taxied down
the ramp and
into water
under its
own power!
With test
pilots Ross
Mahon and
Ben Ellison
at the
controls the
amphibious
aircraft was
put through
its paces,
including 3
runs on the
step and a
couple of
“Howard
Hughes”
events to
see if the
airplane
really will
fly!
Needles to
say it was a
big day for
all of us
that have
been
involved
with the
project over
the years.
Both the
initial and
subsequent
water
testing has
shown the
flying boat
to be well
behaved on
the taxiway
and in the
water. The
step taxi
work and
water
handling
characteristics
have
resulted in
high praise
from both
pilots and
observers.
At a test
gross weight
of around
5200 pounds
(Accomplished
with water
ballast and
sand bags)
the aircraft
is on the
step in
under 8
seconds from
idle. Our
design
expectations
for the
spray
suppression
system are
being
realized,
with minimal
spray
invasion of
the props.
Our next
steps
include some
airframe and
system
changes
before the
first flight
later this
spring.
Some new
videos
showing the
Gweduck in
action on
the
Pictures /
Videos page!
November 2007
In spite
of no recent updates to
our website we are
progressing on the
Gweduck, and are nearing
the day of the first
flight. Over the past
year we have completed
all of the detail
design, including
redesigns of various
components and sub
systems. All of the
flight worthy parts have
been fabricated, checked
for fit and function on
the aircraft, removed
for painting or plating,
and then were
reinstalled. We have
successfully run the
engines and taxied the
aircraft on land,
resulting in several
changes to seat design,
rudder pedal geometry
and engine controls.
Presently work continues
with completion of the
electrical system,
installation of doors
and windows, and final
rigging of the control
system. In the early
part of 2008 we should
be on the water and
starting our flight test
program!
June 2006
The
Gweduck website should be
back up and running now
after changing web hosting
and remaking the site!
Aircraft construction
continues towards completion
– The main wheel retraction
system has been cycled a
number of times and is close
to its final operating
configuration, after
resolving several teething
issues. The primary flight
control system installation
continues, also with changes
to the installation to
improve operation and
strengthen surrounding
structure. And finally the
overhead fuel controls and
electrical system
installation continues,
trying to shoe-horn too many
things into a tight space!
Also, working with
Washington State University
we have developed a flight
data acquisition system, for
collecting data during our
initial testing. There are
many details and the focus
is on getting everything
working safely and
consistently!
January 2006
Steady but slow progress is
being made on the many systems
details. The landing gear
extension/retraction systems
have been installed and
everything made to work
correctly, but it all needs to
come apart again for final
assembly checks and
lubrication. Wing tip floats
extend and retract as designed
and final wiring and covers are
being fitted. Engine controls
are connected to the engine and
various hardware details are
being worked out in the cockpit
– It’s a busy place in the
overhead! Prototype aluminum
tube seats were developed and
mounting structure is being
installed. Final fairing of the
wing to fuselage is underway,
and horizontal tail mods are
complete. First engine start is
still a ways away, but the
remaining task list is getting
shorter every day!
September
2005
Progress on
the Gweduck is extremely
visible! The main wing/fuselage
attach fitting installation is
now complete and the two big
pieces are in formation! The
engines are installed for trial
fitting of controls, cowling,
and related systems. It really
was a big boost of encouragement
to finally roll the airplane
outside on its own landing gear,
almost looking like a real
airplane. But, as they say in
the homebuilt industry – When it
looks like an airplane your
about 50 percent done! We are
probably a little farther along
than that, but there is still
much to be done. Major tasks
being focused on now include the
engine systems connections to
the airframe, tail plane
installation, and of course
cockpit details such as seat
mounting, control installation,
and electrical. Stay tuned as
we get closer to that much
anticipated first engine start!
May 2005
It has been a
while since we updated the
website, but we are making
steady progress! The wing and
fuselage are in close proximity
to each other and the major task
right now is finalizing the wing
fuselage joint details. Much of
the wing has been primer
painted, pin holes filled, and
sanded smooth – A much easier
task to do at ground level where
the wing can be rotated upside
down! We have also fabricated
the instrument panels along with
much of the mounting structure,
and are awaiting cockpit
fiberglass completion before
installation. Hatches have been
fitted with latches and are
awaiting paint before final
assembly. The bow bumper
installation is complete and
ready to bolt on, again after
painting. Unfortunately some
minor mechanical glitches
appeared during initial cycling
of the landing gear so some
redesign is necessary. But all
things considered we are still
hopeful of flying this year!
November
2004
As the year
comes to a close frustration can
set in because we aren't flying
yet, however as we look back
over the year much was
accomplished, both in design and
manufacturing. The wing is
nearing completion, with the
leading edges and nacelles
attached. Only a few details
remain before applying primer
paint. The fuselage work
continues with seat prototyping,
cockpit fairings, instrument
panel and final finishing of the
fuselage. The landing gear
system components are complete
awaiting installation. We are
hopeful for a first flight
sometime in the new year!
July 2004
A few set backs have delayed the
project, including redesign of
the oil cooler installation,
changes in the tail structure,
and resolving systems issues.
The date for mating the wing and
fuselage is approaching, which
will allow completion of many
systems details. Fabrication of
various interior details are
started including door latches,
window brackets, instrument
panels, and seating. Primary
flight and engine controls in
the cockpit are nearing
completion. The tasks are many
and challenging but steady
progress is being made!
February
2004
Progress
continues! The firewall forward
package is completed except for
paint on the cowl, with the
engine nacelles being developed
and attached to the wing. The
fuel tank sumps, valving, and
strainers are nearly complete.
Detail work continues on the
fuselage with construction of
various interior piece parts,
instrument panel, and finish
work on the tail components.
October
2003
We are
nearing completion of the tail
assembly, and development of the
engine and firewall forward
installations are making good
progress. We have taken delivery
of the Lycoming IO-540-M engines
and are working out the various
plumbing & systems challenges.
Stay tuned!
August
2003
The Gweduck
project has been in progress for
several years, but since the
airplane is now closer to the
flying stage we will be adding
updates more frequently to let
those of you who are interested
know of our progress.
At present we
have 3 major areas of work -
Airframe assembly, wing
completion, and power plant
package.
Airframe - The airframe
halves are joined together, the
main landing gear box installed
and door and window frames
completed. The empennage is
being installed on the tail of
the airframe, including
development and installation of
control systems and associated
hardware. Wing-
The basic wing structure is
assembled along with control
surfaces and control systems.
Currently the nacelles are being
developed with engine mounts,
fuel systems, and other
components. Power plant
- Firewall forward engine &
cowling components are being
designed and fabricated.
This is a
brief update of where we are in
mid August, 2003. Please stay
tuned for more updates and
photos regarding our progress.
May 2003
www.gweduck.com is up!
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