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Off Topic? Scratch build your own autopilot

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nuckolls.bob(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject: Off Topic? Scratch build your own autopilot

At 06:03 PM 5/26/2008 -0500, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

<ceengland(at)bellsouth.net>

Sam Hoskins wrote:

>FYI - I have a very unusual auction going on Ebay for a scratch-build 

>autopilot, and a story that goes with it.  Here's the auction link:

>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190225235720 

><http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190225235720>

>

>If that doesn't work just plug  190225235720  into the Ebay search box.

>

>Sorry for the shameless plug.

>

>Sam Hoskins

>Murphysboro, IL

Hey Sam,

I actually have one those that came out of a T-18 (wrecked in a storm) and 

there's another in a homebuilt of pre-WW-II Philippine origin here on my 

home field.

Unfortunately, I can't find the docs for it. How much to scan & email the 

docs?

   I think I have a set of the plans. They were offered in a

   series of articles in Sport Aviation.  If I get time

   I'll scan them and post to the website.

   Actually, these have more historical value than practical.

   Nowadays, one might use a piezo rotational-rate sensor

   as opposed to building the fluid-jet device that Doug concocted.

   But the fluid-jet rate sensor has a certain elegance of

   thought behind it that I find fascinating.

   Further, while Doug offered a means by which one could craft

   a DIY flux-gate magnetometer to derive magnetic heading,

   I think I would opt for getting true or magnetic course off

   a GPS engine.

   Having said all that, it's interesting to peer into the

   mind of Doug Garner. I had the pleasure of conversation with

   him over several years attendance at OSH. He possessed one

   of those rare intellects that could sift through piles of

   simple-ideas and past recipes for success to come up with

   new and better ways to do it . . . or techniques that can

   be accomplished in a hobbyist's electronics shop.

   A true teacher.

   I just found the folder where I'd stored Doug's work

   and discovered that it also contains a data

   package by a Mr. Don Hewes who also did a manual on

   home built a/p systems. Don references Doug's work

   and offers some interesting variations on a theme tailored

   to tools, materials and techniques available to us about

   1980 when this work was getting started.

   Bob . . .

        ----------------------------------------)

        ( . . .  a long habit of not thinking   )

        ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial )

        ( appearance of being right . . .       )

        (                                       )

        (                  -Thomas Paine 1776-  )

        ----------------------------------------

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ceengland(at)bellsouth.ne
Guest

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 11:37 am Post subject: Off Topic? Scratch build your own autopilot

Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

 <nuckolls.bob(at)cox.net>

 At 06:03 PM 5/26/2008 -0500, you wrote:

> 

> <ceengland(at)bellsouth.net>

>

> Sam Hoskins wrote:

>> FYI - I have a very unusual auction going on Ebay for a 

>> scratch-build autopilot, and a story that goes with it.  Here's the 

>> auction link:

>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190225235720 

>> <http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190225235720> 

>>

>>

>> If that doesn't work just plug  190225235720  into the Ebay search box.

>>

>> Sorry for the shameless plug.

>>

>> Sam Hoskins

>> Murphysboro, IL

>

> Hey Sam,

> I actually have one those that came out of a T-18 (wrecked in a 

> storm) and there's another in a homebuilt of pre-WW-II Philippine 

> origin here on my home field.

>

> Unfortunately, I can't find the docs for it. How much to scan & email 

> the docs?

   I think I have a set of the plans. They were offered in a

   series of articles in Sport Aviation.  If I get time

   I'll scan them and post to the website.

   Actually, these have more historical value than practical.

   Nowadays, one might use a piezo rotational-rate sensor

   as opposed to building the fluid-jet device that Doug concocted.

   But the fluid-jet rate sensor has a certain elegance of

   thought behind it that I find fascinating.

   Further, while Doug offered a means by which one could craft

   a DIY flux-gate magnetometer to derive magnetic heading,

   I think I would opt for getting true or magnetic course off

   a GPS engine.

   Having said all that, it's interesting to peer into the

   mind of Doug Garner. I had the pleasure of conversation with

   him over several years attendance at OSH. He possessed one

   of those rare intellects that could sift through piles of

   simple-ideas and past recipes for success to come up with

   new and better ways to do it . . . or techniques that can

   be accomplished in a hobbyist's electronics shop.

   A true teacher.

   I just found the folder where I'd stored Doug's work

   and discovered that it also contains a data

   package by a Mr. Don Hewes who also did a manual on

   home built a/p systems. Don references Doug's work

   and offers some interesting variations on a theme tailored

   to tools, materials and techniques available to us about

   1980 when this work was getting started.

   Bob . . .

        ----------------------------------------)

        ( . . .  a long habit of not thinking   )

        ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial )

        ( appearance of being right . . .       )

        (                                       )

        (                  -Thomas Paine 1776-  )

        ----------------------------------------

Great! My interest is primarily historical/nostalgic, as well. The 

autopilot was in the 1st homebuilt I purchased after getting my pilot's 

license.

While I know that new technology is superior, I suspect that the rate 

sensor Mr. Garner created from dirt-cheap parts was at least as good as 

the then current technology & many orders of magnitude less expensive.

If you can post to the web site, that would be great.

Charlie

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