Subject: Vertical fin cracks Applicability: All Sportsman aircraft Issue: Inspection of the vertical fin and aft fuselage bulkheads B and C, repair of vertical fin and bulkheads and reinforcement of vertical fin spar attach to bulkhead C.
It was bound to happen: Ted Setzer flew his "Setzman" Glasair Sportsman and it was exciting! Find out how the modifications performed and what's next.
The GlaStar enlarged door kit production is moving forward, there is a Deltahawk Diesel Sportsman in the works, Sun 'n Fun was fun, and Steve and Heidi Tillinghast flew their GlaStar to the Bahamas. All that and more in this issue:
GlaStar Enlarged Door Kit, By Ted Setzer
Easy Muffler Shroud Mold, By Pete Aschenbrenner
Setzman N11YM Maiden Flight, By Ted Setzer
Caribbean Puddle Jumpers, By Steve Tillinghast
Are You a Safe Pilot?, By Alan Negrin
Flap Gap Seals Reduce Stall Speed, By Ted Setzer
Thoughts on Cooling, By Ted Setzer
Ventral Fin for a GlaStar on Floats, By Bill Bracken
Deltahawk + Glasair = Diesel Sportsman, By Dave Prizio
Sun ‘n Fun Brat Roast, By Herb Karkheck
Scotch Electrical Tape for Sealing Gaps, By Randi Ernst
Wing Rotating Jig, By Terry Dovey
Watch the stall testing video recorded during a "Setzman" flight:
Savings Offer Fom Glasair: Order a Carbon Fiber Sportsman with Constant speed Prop by May 15th and Save $15,000
Carbon Fiber Sportsman can be equipped with a choice of:
- A High Performance 180 HP, 210 HP or 215 HP Engine - Free Upgraded Constant speed Propeller - Hartzell, MT or Sensenich Propeller options - State-of-the-Art VFR or IFR Glass Panel Cockpit - Seating for Four Adults - Standard or Custom Paint
Order by May 15th to save $15,000 over the regular price. The "Carbon" Sportsman offers an additional 150 lbs of useful load which increases typical useful load to an incredible 1,150 pounds. Plus, the addition of 2 rear-facing seats allows for comfortable seating for 4 adults. And remember, the Sportsman is convertible to tricycle, taildragger, float & ski configurations. Note: Orders must be placed by May 15th. Other restrictions apply.
Superior Air Parts Announces that Glasair Aviation has Selected The XP-400 Engine for the High-Performance Version of the Sportsman 2+2 Kit Aircraft
215-horsepower XP-400 provides improved power and performance for Sportsman 2+2 owners operating at higher altitudes, off shorter fields and with floats.
Coppell, TX, April 05, 2013 - Glen Golden, V.P. Sales and Marketing, Superior Air Parts, Inc., announced today that Glasair Aviation has selected Superior's 400 cubic inch, 215-horsepower, XP-400 Engine for the higher-performance version of its popular Sportsman 2+2 aircraft.
"With its large cabin, generous useful load and exceptional flying characteristics, the Sportsman 2+2 is one of the most popular and versatile four-place kit aircraft in sport aviation and we are extremely excited to have our XP-400 Engine selected as their power of choice," Golden said.
"I can tell you first hand that the performance of the XP-400 powered Sportsman is phenomenal," stated Harry DeLong, Director of Customer Support, Glasair Aviation. "With 215-horsepower there is plenty of excess power for pilots operating at higher altitudes or off short/soft fields or on floats. With the XP-400, the Sportsman doesn't turn into a one- or two-place airplane when you put it on amphibious floats like many other aircraft do."
DeLong also said that pilot/builders who take advantage of Glasair's revolutionary Two Weeks To Taxi program are familiar with the 180-horsepower XP-360 and are very excited to have Superior's 215-horsepower XP-400 available as an upgrade.
"We have been very happy with the quality and performance of the Superior XP-Engines in the past," he said. "And, from what we've seen with our first XP-400 we're extremely happy to have selected Superior's higher-horsepower engine for the Sportsman."
As its name implies, Glasair's Sportsman is designed for pilots who want to explore backcountry strips and lakes requiring a generous useful load and large baggage area. The Sportsman's 2+2 configuration can be used for passengers or, with seats removed, for copious amounts of baggage.
"The Sportsman can be configured as a tricycle, taildragger or a floatplane and all of the configurations are built into every airframe," DeLong said. "With the extra power and performance provided by the XP-400, an owner can build one basic airplane that can fulfill a wide variety of uses year ‘round without having to worry about being underpowered."
"Glasair is one of the most respected manufacturers in the sport aviation market," Golden said. "Having them put their and their customers' confidence in the XP-400 is a tremendous step for our XP-Engine program."
About Glasair Aviation, LLC The Sportsman 2+2 kit is manufactured by Glasair Aviation in Arlington, WA. The company is also well known for making the Glasair and the Glasair III composite high-performance airplanes. For more information on the complete line of Glasair products, visit the company's website at www.GlasairAviation.com, or call 360.435.8533.
About Superior Air Parts, Inc. Superior Air Parts, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Superior Aviation Beijing, is a leading manufacturer of FAA approved aftermarket replacement parts for Lycoming and Continental aircraft engines. In addition, the company manufacturers the FAA certified Vantage Engine and the XP-Engine family for experimental and sport aircraft builders. For more information, visit: www.superiorairparts.com
If you ever thought about installing a larger cargo door for your GlaStar, now is your chance to do it.
When the Glasair factory was developing the Sportsman, they tested a GlaStar with a large rear door to Sportsman structural loads and it passed with flying colors. Recently Ted Setzer, Glasair's R&D guru visited a builder in Africa and helped him install a large rear door on his GlaStar, and now Ted is proposing to build a retrofit kit for an enlarged rear door for existing GlaStars. The story about this mod is in the 4th Quarter 2012 GSAI Flyer.
Think of the possibilities - jump seat passengers, easy access for dogs, easy loading of baggage and folding bikes, and even your back will thank you.
Order by May 15th to save $15,000 over the regular price. The "Carbon" Sportsman offers an additional 150 lbs of useful load which increases typical useful load to an incredible 1,150 pounds. Plus, the addition of 2 rear-facing seats allows for comfortable seating for 4 adults. And remember, the Sportsman is convertible to tricycle, taildragger, float & ski configurations. Note: Orders must be placed by May 15th. Other restrictions apply. 
215-horsepower XP-400 provides improved power and performance for Sportsman 2+2 owners operating at higher altitudes, off shorter fields and with floats.
