Glastar
Homebuilt Experimental Builder's Log
Why it exists
This is a simple site designed to briefly document the progress of building a Glasair Glastar experimental homebuilt kitplane. It is a simple builder's log.
Kit Found!
In early January of 2009, I found this partially complete Glastar kit for sale. I live in California and the kit was in Connecticut, 2,600 miles away. "Too far," I thought, but the price was great, or maybe better than great. The workmanship was very good, the wings were closed, all control surfaces were complete and most of the control mechanisms were in place. I was hooked. By mid-January, it was on it's way to California and I was setting up the second garage to build a Glastar. Move over RV-7!
Many of the cabin systems are already installed such as brakes both sides, flap handle and control cables. I will keep the flat panel. Although I like the fancy formed fiberglass panels, they are not very practical for someone who flies from the right seat. I will install a panel that is similar to (but simpler than) my wife's RV panel. She has 2 Blue Mountain G4 Sports running on 2 separate electrical systems. I will have one electrical system and the panel will have something less sophisticated like a couple Dynons, MGLs or the like.
More Glastar. Here on the inside left, behind the pilot's seat, is where in intend to add a third seat for a small passenger. Since there will be an engine driven fuel pump and an auxiliary pump, a single header tank should stow nicely under the passenger seat. There won't be auxiliary tanks in the wings, but there will be a slightly larger than normal header tank that should give a small reserve.
The wings and all control surfaces are complete with mostly flush rivets all around. The workmanship is very good with only a few smiles and generally good rivet length. There is some very light surface corrosion on the wings, but the interior is well primed with an epoxy primer. I will move right into cleaning up the unpainted aluminum and applying a good coat of Imron, probably in the same color white as the gelcoat fuselage.
Some Tag Stuff :
It is a Glastar. The Glasair Glastar homebuilt experimental aircraft is not yet flying. It has yet to be built. Building the Glastar is what this site is about as it attempts to follow the progress of the builder, Bill Hobbs, a glastar builder, building in Redding, California and belonging to EAA Chapter 157, Redding CA, Redding EAA. It's a Glastar airplane kit from Glasair. It is not a Sportsman. It's a Glastar aircraft or airplane. It is an experimental aircraft Glastar. It is a homebuilt aircraft glastar builder's log by Bill Hobbs.
