Cass256

I bought a cowl & lexan turtledeck from Al, he was super easy to work with. If anyone else is looking for info on the Sky Raider & Ridge Runner family of aircraft, the most active group is on Facebook. 
I have a feeling that as STOL drag & similar competitions take off, we'll see more of these birds come out of storage.

Welcome to the SkyRaider family! They're great birds, I'm sure you'll love yours   
You can find the most info on these birds in the SkyRaider/RidgeRunner Facebook group if you're not there already - Do you know what yours weighs without an engine?

I saw someone on FB who had 3D printed elevator seals using TPU filament. The TPU is soft & squishy like foam, and it looked like he was getting much better elevator authority in slow flight. Would love to see some weight & speed comparisons!

I'm currently going down this road with my RR3 restoration, this is the response I got from the Massachusetts MIDO;
If the new owner wanted to treat this as a new aircraft built from used or salvaged articles, paragraph 15-4.d(4) of Order 8130.2J applies:
 
(4) When Builders Use Articles from Other Aircraft.  The use of used or salvaged articles, including military surplus articles, from other aircraft is permitted if they are in a condition for safe operation; however, all fabrication, installation, and assembly tasks accomplished with used or salvaged articles will be credited to the “Mfr Kit/Part/Component” column on the Amateur-Built Aircraft Fabrication and Assembly Checklist.  No credit will be given toward the major-portion requirement for work on these salvaged articles.  This includes any “rebuilding” or “restoring” activities to return these articles to an airworthy condition.  Assembly credit may be given in those cases where used or salvaged articles are assembled with portions of the aircraft fabricated and assembled by the builder.
The last line is the saving grace, as it clarifies what "rebuilding" or "restoring" actually means.
You can get assembly credit as long as the salvaged articles are "assembled with portions of the aircraft fabricated and assembled by the builder". 
If you hadn't removed the fabric & the plane was near a flying state, this rule applies. Any fabrications or repairs done to the salvaged article doesn't give you assembly credit for that article. This basically prevents people from unbolting everything, repainting it, and putting it back together under a new registration. 
Since you're welding on the fuselage, I would argue this rule does not apply to the base airframe. You have fabricated & assembled portions of that frame, no? Then you should get credit for work done to the rest of the airframe, as the rule's exception states.
For my RR3, I am planning on re-using the control surfaces if I can stay above 51% - One of them has minor damage, and I will not get assembly credit for the repair to return that "salvaged assembly" to its previous airworthy state. I will however get assembly credit for the left wing's control surface mounting brackets, as I have to drill the ribs to fabricate their attachment. 
I hope this distinction makes sense & can help you get your repairman's certificate. I'll post an update once I hear from my DAR. 

If you have Facebook, the Ridge Runner/Sky Raider group is on there - A fellow named John Knapp has a SR1 on 950lb snapper floats, he posts there occasionally; Maybe he could be more help?

Words can't describe how impressive this is!! It's shaping up to be one beautiful machine, can't wait to see it fly :D

Beautiful!! Nice job :D The prop looks ridiculously small now, are you planning on putting a larger one on?

Looking good! How do you like the Oratex? I'm about to start covering my plane in the UL600, got any tips that the manual misses?

I like the idea of using a spring & cable, the install looks pretty clean. Is the tab fully adjustable or is the shifter a more "on or off" approach?

It's a wonder to see this still for sale. With just a little love it could be a really beautiful airplane.
I'd buy it myself if I wasn't already over budget on my bird from Washington! 

Facebook is really bad about selling your data, unfortunately things like your IP and phone # are just commodities they feel entitled to make money with. Scammers are abundant since the tech to setup scams is cheap, and I guess there's plenty of scummy people out there who don't mind taking advantage of others to make a quick buck. 
It's not just Facebook though, basically every company sells your data openly & spies on you for targeted marketing (There are plenty of videos online of people taking new phones, making new accounts, and speaking casually around the speaker about products - which then show up in targeted ads). If you don't go out of your way to hide yourself (VPNs, alternate accounts, etc.) unfortunately digital privacy isn't a respected right.
Haven't heard of them calling about specific charges though, that's just freaky... Makes me want to chuck my phone in the river & never look back.

Looking good indeed!

The bungee gear on the Ridge Runner are aligned as well, they don't use bungee rings as far as I can tell. I think you're right, it'd be a lot easier to make a fairing for this kind of mount.

Amen!

Dang, that's a bummer for sure, has he reached out to powerfin to see about a replacement? 

Technically it's got two seats, it's definitely cramped in the back. The forward seat has 3 sets of holes so you can adjust the position, though the second seat isn't really usable if the seat's all the way back. I don't think I'd like to spend more than an hour back there!
Thanks! I've also been tossing around the idea of just sending it to Rotax Rick for peace of mind. The cost would nearly double what I've invested in the engine so far when shipping etc. is said & done. Though if I want to be flying any time soon, I should probably send it down asap - just wondering if you guys think it'd be worth it? As much as it'll save time & money, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable doing minimal maintenance & hoping for the best.
I'll have to get to know him then! I've been eyeing a pair of skis for the coming winter season :D
 
Thanks everyone! I'll be sure to keep you all up to date as more happens