Another big win for Team Panther! We did the preliminary weight and balance this morning so we can mount the battery. We used EAA 1379’s scales – which have weighed many aircraft including Dan and Chris Smith’s Cleanex (Corvair powered Sonex). For some reason these scales always weigh aircraft heavier than other scales, but they are very accurate and in calibration. We weighed with all the systems in place including wheel pants, engine oil, seat belts, all controls, battery cables, etc (all not in photos but EVERTHING is there). Also were several clamps, 100 clecos and a digital level…. All fiberglass parts (except wheel pants) are at least 50% heavy and the tube structure is lighter in the production airframes.
The weight came in at 688!
So William Wynne is the winner of the poll between our freinds. We had guesses between 685 (William Wynne) to 750. William gets a SPA T-shirt. Next time we will open it up to everyone. Although the weight is a bit higher than our original weight matrix predicted (not surprising) we are happy with these numbers, and now have more data for future projects. For comparison – Dan’s Cleanex weighed 726 on these exact scales.
We will do calculations and mount the battery today. Then start getting it ready for first engine runs on the air frame and cleaned up for DAR.
Go Team Panther!
-Rachel
