A Tour of Scott Black’s Hangar

A Tour of Scott Black’s Hangar

By Richard Guevara, EAA 1192723

We thank Scott for his hospitality and help with this article.

As part of the ongoing efforts at EAA Chapter 266 to continue our COVID-19 outreach to homebound homebuild enthusiasts, Scott Black presented an informal tour of his hangar on a Zoom meeting in late October. The Zoom meeting hangar tour worked out well and we had a good attendance.

Scott showed a few details of his ongoing RV-4 build. This included the MGL iEFIS install and several structural assemblies.  

Where it all began.

Front Cowling trial fitting.
Instrument cutouts and powder coating.
The front office: Main iEFIS display up and running.
The back office of the system: Where the sausages are made. All thermocouple wiring comes in to an iEFIS interface box (bottom right) that digitizes the analog signals and sends it to the EFIS via a CAN bus link.

Scott has a number of shop stationary tools and most, if not all, have a story to tell. These include the usual bandsaws, lathes, and drill presses. Some are hooked up and being used, and some are awaiting some form of usable power supply before being installed. The electrical hookup required for these machines has proven to be a challenge since the electrical power requirements often do not align with the local Quebec 60 Hz three phase 115 VAC electrical services available. The lathe is not hooked up as it is 550v, like the mill. The punch press is purely mechanical. There is a giant band saw, which is also 550v. This has led to some interesting solutions. Leo Nikkinen, our local RF guru, offered some input on what worked for him in some of his shop machine installs and what did not work. Every setup is unique and different, so in the interest of safety, we will leave out the details that were discussed.

A vertical milling machine awaits a connection.
Some of the machines (left to right): hydraulic punch, flat bed lathe.

The hangar is also home to a Laird Super Solution replica project. The Super Solution is a classic racing biplane, and is tiny, about the size of a Pitts, with a 21-foot wingspan, with the not uncommon tubular steel fuselage and wooden wings configuration – but it’s powered by a 500-hp engine! You can learn more about the Laird Super Solution and follow along on the project’s blog.

Laird Super Solution model up in the rafters.

And, lastly, the hangar is guarded by a vigilant guard who doubles as the quality control officer.  

The Quality Control Officer: One bark is: “Work is acceptable” and two barks is: “Do it over.”

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