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NOTE: You must be subscribed to the respective information source
(CX4 Yahoo group, EAA Experimenter, Oshkosh 365, etc.)  to view certain stories linked below.

Dave just announced that the 30th bird has flown the nest. He got word that Kevin Osborne (Brisbane, Australia) has flown his very nice looking CX4 (Reg. No. 19-7983, S/N 322) for the first time today. He had a very high time test pilot fly it and he was very pleased with the way it flew.

The Brisbane Valley Sport Aviation Club featured an article in their February 2012 newsletter giving a short biography of Kevin and his beautiful CX4. A copy of the article is available here "Kevin_Osborne_CX4_322.pdf".

Congratulations Kevin & Virgil!

Check out their photos on the "Completed & Flying" page.

Virgil Thovson, Ellensburg, WA, USA, posted this on the Yahoo group site today:

N24CX was test flown at 10:30 AM on May 6, 2012. No Problems, except a little right wing heavy (About a 1/4 inch of stick travel to correct). Needed some left rudder.

A new vendor, Motorav, caught our attention at Sun n' Fun and Oshkosh last year, and was at Sun n' Fun again this year.

RIMA Industrial S/A, Brasil, employees 5000+ people in its various Brazil operations, and is a global leader in the production of Silicon Metal, Ferro-alloys and Magnesium. Since 1981, Rima had been the exclusive supplier of magnesium used in engine cases to Volkswagen Brazil. In 1999, Rima purchased Volkswagen’s Brazilian foundry and began the direct manufacturing and distribution of Volkswagen engine cases in many global markets (1500 cases were sold in 2011 in the US market alone).

Volkswagen never expressed an interest in developing a higher horsepower engine. RIMA was repeatedly contacted by several companies about such a development once it acquired VW’s foundry. In 2006, Rima president Ricardo Vicintin, himself a pilot, launched a program within the company to begin R&D to redesign the engine for these higher horsepower aeronautical applications.

Finite element analysis tests were conducted on the original cases by the Brazilian Institute of Aeronautical Technology (ITA). The stress tests confirmed the need to redesign the engine block (at the casting die level) to strengthen key areas, including increasing the size of the front crankshaft bearing area. In on-going dyno cell testing, these modifications have proven to be very effective.

After six years of R&D and the feedback received during these efforts, Rima decided that they had a viable product to bring to the global experimental aircraft market, and began structuring a new division (MOTORAV Industria e Comercio Ltda) to support the effort.

It is clear to us that this company has made a commitment to this project which warrants further attention to its developments. We have created a Motorav Community website, similar to our efforts with this CX Community site, to keep the global LSA builder community informed of RIMA's Motorav activities and developments.

On a related note, a CX4 has been flying with a Motorav engine since last year. The 22nd CX4 flying (S/N 151) took its maiden flight in May of 2011. Owner/Builder partners José Morgon & Paulo Kessler have posted several video's on YouTube - Direct links can be found on the Motorav Community website. Paulo Kessler has also been flying a second plane fitted with a Motorav engine. His video's are linked on the Motorav Community website as well.

What will the future hold? RIMA has several other projects currently undergoing R&D. Cylinder heads with more fins for increased cooling, IGNIFLEX electronic ignition, electronic fuel injection for increased fuel efficiency & reduced emissions and turbo charging for more power. This company is serious, and its people are focused and committed. We're keeping our eyes on this, and will keep you informed.

Editor Note:  RIMA has just launched a dedicated Motorav website (http://www.motorav.com), It is in an early development stage, but I'm certain it will be made current in short order. Keep an eye on it as well! Thanks!

Sylvain Bélanger, Montreal QC Canada, posted this on the Yahoo group site today:

Gentlemen,
"My bird left the ground today for its first flight. I wish I could have the pride to say it was me flying but I got an offer from a 10,000 hrs + experienced test pilot and 23 times builder... The Thatcher was also the134th type of plane he flew. I just could not say no! The 15 minutes flight was uneventful. The flight testing, trimming, adjusting will continue but soon with me as the pilot."

Sylvain added the next day:

"This morning was the moment for me. I just had my first 15 minutes flight. To be confirmed: more than 125 mph at 3000 rpm. Fast, slippery, pleasingly nervous and responding. At first sight, I did not feel the plane pulling on one side or the other (needs to be confirmed by more flying). Keep on building, it is worth it...

I need to go now to do something to get rid of some adrenalin...

Editor Note:  Sylvain, the next time your bird heads for the sky, could you have someone take a few photo's and pass them along to us for posting? Thanks!

Dave Thatcher made an announcement to the Yahoo group this evening, letting everyone know that he had just received the 500th order for a set of CX4 plans. That's quite an accomplishment for one man just wanting to share a dream with a few friends.   Dave, on behalf on everyone that is a member of this community, we just want to say Thanks!

Now please get back to work on the CX5!  ;)

Since the CX Community site was created, we've received many requests from builders and others to add products they have developed to the "Plans, Parts & Engine" webpage. We have resisted adding the wide variety of offered parts and kits because we have not had an opportunity to actually review the items offered, review the vendors offering them or inquire with Thatcher Aircraft, Inc. regarding their endorsement or approval.

Technology, and the popularity of this website, have evolved. Feedback on its value and content is received daily from around the world. With that in mind, the decision was made to create a new page where builders and others can announce their custom products to the entire CX community (http://www.cx4community.com/accessories.htm). A "Accessories" link has been added to the list at the top of every page.

We value all visitors to this site, and our constant goal is the integrity of all content this site contains. It is our opinion that the community will advise us if any listing on this page results in a negative experience with either the product or the vendor, ultimately resulting in our removal of the listing from the webpage.

Boiler plate language aside, our first listing on the page was a result of an experience shared with us by a CX4 builder in Maine, USA. He contacted a gentleman in Michigan that has been making parts and kits for other model types for years. A turtle deck access door kit was developed that achieved all the builders needs, and through word-of-mouth advertising, has become very popular with others. In our humble opinion, sharing this type of information is what our community is all about.

Check out the new page and our first listing. If you'd like to see a product added, or have any comment on a current listing, use the email link at the top of the "Accessories" page to notify us.    

Glen Bradley (Pensacola, FL) had the opportunity to fly Dave's Tri-Gear CX4 on two separate occasions.  He wrote a colorful pilot report detailing each experience. You have to read them both! Head directly to the Pilot Reports page now!
 

Dave and Peter have commented on several occasions on their surprise with the global interest in the CX4. Out of curiosity, I looked into the CX Community web activity for the past twelve months.

15,465 people from 75 countries have visited the site, looking at a total of 36,342 individual pages. The number of visitors, outside of the United States, have dramatically increased since I included a Google translation tool on the top of every web page last March.

A PDF report of this activity, showing a global map with each visitors home country in green, as well as individual country specifics, is available for viewing by anyone that may be interested.

Here's the link: CX Community Web Activity 28Jan2012.pdf
 

A gentleman by the name Jon Ferguson (Active US Military; Gloucester, VA) has a personal blog featuring his many interests including science fiction, aviation, military history, and beekeeping. The blog is written to be more like a web based magazine and it is Jon's goal to provide the highest quality content.

His most recent entry, "Aviation: The New Breed, Thatcher CX4" details how he views the CX4 as earning its rightful place as one of a select few affordable personal aircraft for the next century of general aviation. I couldn't agree more!

Here's the link to Jon's blog entry "Aviation: The New Bred; Thatcher CX4"   Nice job Jon!

Two new reports have just been added to the Pilot Reports page:

Pirep #26)  Mick Wright, Gawler, Australia gives us some specs of a recent flight of CX4 # 235, 19-7872.
 
Pirep #27)  Glen Bradley, Pensacola, Fl had the recent opportunity to fly Dave's CX4 Tri-Gear, and provided a very detailed report of his thoughts and observations.

The 27th CX4 has taken to the air, and is the first to fly in 2012!  Mick Wright, Gawler, Australia posted this on the Yahoo group site today:

"Thatcher CX4 # 235 19-7872 completed a successful test flight at Gawler Airfield South Australia, 2 years & 9 months after construction started."

Mick also mentioned "The ASI is proving inaccurate (will change pitot back to what was called for on plans - DAVE KNOWS BEST). She needed positive left rudder but there was no indication of wing drop." Engine is a 2 litre Limbach, swinging an Arrow 54x46 prop.

Great News Mick - Congratulations from the Entire CX Builder Community!
 

Peter reports that the CX5 tail dragger development program is very much on the front burner. He sent me the following update earlier today:

"Attached are a couple photos from earlier this year of the Thatcher CX5 prototype No. 2." The ship is not really the narrow runway version (as shown in the photo's), but the plywood wheels save a substantial amount of workspace in the shop.

"Not shown are fully completed tail surfaces. The horizontal stabilizer is 8 feet wide and can barely get through the shop door when mounted. Two sets of main spars are being completed right now, and I hope pictures of them mounted to this fuselage will be available by Christmas."

"Alongside CX5 prototype construction, CX4 kits and spar sets continue to be produced. The most recent set of kits went to Australia. They will form the basis of kit certification of compliance with the 51% rule in Australia. It happens that the man designated by the Australian RAA (Recreational Aircraft Association) to do the evaluation is also an active CX4 builder in his own right."

"A recent conversation with him suggests that certification will be all but certain and relatively painless. Hopefully certification in Australia will provide assurance to US CX4 builders (although there is no legal reciprocal agreement between our FAA and the RAA that would make certification in the US automatic) as well as further support to CX4 builders in the UK."

Happy and Blessed Holidays to All,
Peter Beck

Following the effort required to bring the CX4 Tri-gear modification to reality, Dave has resumed work once again on the CX5. He recently reported:

"The prototype I am making is a tri-gear with front seat solo. Peter Beck is working on the tail dragger. I have ordered the engine and have the canopy. The forward section of the fuselage is going together nicely back to the rear seat. I have the wheels, tires and brakes. The instrument panel has been cut."

"As soon as I get the instrument panel installed I can begin to fit the canopy, windshield and latch system. The flaperon control system has been worked out. The flaps will be electric. The plans are drawn, but until I make everything and fly it, there will be no announcement as to availability."

"I'll be 80 in January so do not get your hopes too high. I am having fun building it though."

May Gods Blessings rest on you all.
Dave Thatcher

Forward Section Mock-up
(August 10, 2010)

Prototype Forward/Center Section
(March 26, 2011)

Canopy Fitment
(December 6, 2011)

Another CX4 is getting close. Mick Wright, Gawler, Australia posted this on the Yahoo group site today:

Thatcher CX4 #235 registration 19-7872 has left its place of birth (the back shed) and is now attending finishing school (the hanger at the airfield). Its wings will be fitted tomorrow - then final certification.
Engine runs have been successful: 3000 rpm static on the 2 litre Limbach swinging an Arrow 54x46 prop.

Thanks to Bruce P. & Steve H. for providing a beautiful photo and several YouTube video links of George May's first flight of N13CX. Check them out on the Completed & Flying page!

Another CX4 has spread its wings and took to the air! George May reported that N13CX (#232) was launched today for about a 15 minute flight with a few circuits around the pattern. All went well with no major issues.

"The airspeed indicator was a little flaky. It looks like the right wing is a little heavy and the rudder will need a small trim tab. The GP 2180 kit engine went together pretty easily, and it ran smooth and strong. Once the trim tabs are installed and the airspeed indicator is fixed the real flight plan will start."

Congratulations George!
 

Earnest Martin has received many requests for photo's of the CX4 composite parts that he makes. To help Earnest out, I created a page where you can find photo's of the parts he has available for the CX4 community.

Here's the link: http://www.cx4community.com/emartin.htm

Today to celebrate my 85th Birthday, I went flying with Bill Yeates and Steve McDuff. The idea was to take some pics of the little bird.  Attached is one of the best.   The weather was so bouncy that it was hard to get a good shot, but Bill did.   Hope you enjoy. Johnny

The 25th CX4 has spread its wings and took to the air for the first time on October 27, 2011. Bob Marek (Cadott, WI, USA) reported to Dave that the first flight of N362CX (S/N 362) went well. He made three take-offs & landings, and looks forward to additional flight time within the next several days.

Wade Jones has just posted another N725WJ pilot report. You can view it on the "Pilot Reports" page.

Dave Thatcher has just announced that design and testing of the CX4 Tri-gear Modification has been completed, and that complete plans and a builder manual for the conversion are now available!

The Tri-gear plans and manual set can be ordered directly from Thatcher Aircraft, Inc. at a cost of $65.00 (USD). Standard shipping is included.

Although the plans are complete to produce all of the required parts, many have requested that individual conversion parts be made available separately. Dave is currently coordinating production of the preformed strut and nose wheel fork, and will announce availability and pricing shortly. Complete conversion kits are also in the works and will be available soon.

Ernest Martin (Ardin, NC USA) has announced the availability of CX4 wheel fairings for the CX4. Main gear fairings and the new nose gear fairing can be ordered from him now at a cost of $80.00 (USD) per individual fairing. Contact Erni directly for additional information.

Dave has appreciated the strong interest in this project, and thanks everyone for their patience with his bringing this much anticipated CX4 option to market.
 

The entire CX4 community was disappointed to learn that no CX4's were expected at Oshkosh this year. As it turned out, that was not to be the case. Tom Stallings of Garden City, Kansas now holds the title of having the first CX4 to fly into an EAA AirVenture convention. N949DC came in "under everyone's radar" and was spotted parked on the flightline on Wednesday July 27th.

Tom was wandering the grounds and not available for comment. He made the maiden flight of S/N 0200 on Aug 23, 2009. A check of the hourmeter revealed that he has flown 217 hours to date.

Unable to attend Oshkosh 2011?
Here are a couple of video & audio links that may help ease the pain:
(NOTE: These links should be active for the duration of the convention.
They may take a short time to load due to the large volume of web traffic they create!)

Live Streaming Video:

Warbirds & Homebuilt Parking (North Camera)
Conoco Phillips Plaza / Vintage Parking (Central Camera)
Ultralights / Runway 36 (South Camera)
Airshow Camera (Active during airshows only)
Theater in the Woods (Active during scheduled evening programs only)
AirVenture Museum (4 Interactive Webcams)

Live Streaming Audio:

LiveATC.net is the original source for streaming audio from Oshkosh 2011. "Click here" to go directly to their website, then choose the stream of your choice:

• EAA Radio

• Tower 9/27 (North)

• Tower 18L/36R (South)

• Tower 18R/36L (South)

• Airventure Air Boss

• Arrival ATIS

• Fisk VFR Approach

• Milwaukee Approach

Peter Beck announced yesterday that his plan to be at Oshkosh this year with his CX5 and Dave's Tri-gear protoypes' was being scrubbed. The efforts by both to make this happen was huge, but a couple of issues with the projects could not be resolved in time and were in-part responsible for the decision that was made.

Non-stop work on both projects continues, and further announcements will be made as open issues are addressed and any subsequent testing required has been completed to the satisfaction of those involved.

Wade Jones has just posted a pilot report of his initial flights in N725WJ. You can view it on the "Pilot Reports" page.

As mentioned above, David and Peter are continuing to work non-stop on the R&D of both the CX5 and Tri-gear designs. Dave has just released this photo of the Tri-gear modification installed on his bird and has reported that the flight testing portion of the project has begun.

With the prototype now flying, Dave wants it mentioned that the Tri-gear modification, although getting closer, is not yet ready for release. Further information (specifications, plans release, parts availability, cost, etc.) cannot be made available until all testing and any required design modifications have been completed.

Dave appreciates the strong interest in this project, and will provide us with additional details here as soon as they can be released.

What a week! Two more CX4's have taken to the air. Congratulations to Wade Jones, Brazorie, TX (S/N 152, N725WJ) and Roger Miller, East Bend, NC (CX4 S/N 398; N254RM).

Check out the photo & YouTube video links from Roger on the "Completed and Flying" page.

The 22nd CX4 has taken to the air!  José Marcelo Morgon (Xaxim, Curitiba, Brasil) just posted a YouTube video of the first flight of  #151. The video can be seen directly on the "Completed and Flying" page.

Another CX4 is airborne. Dave just announced that the 21st bird has flown the nest. A photo of Geno's plane can be seen on the "Completed and Flying" page.

Dave just announced that the 20th bird has flown the nest. Allen Jones emailed Dave and told him his CX4 flies great! Check out his photo on the "Completed and Flying" page.

Doug Garin has just posted a pilot report of his second flight in N52CX. You can view it on the "Pilot Reports" page and check out the resulting thread on fuel mixture on the "Yahoo" group site.

For the benefit of those currently building a CX4 (or those that are seriously considering a build from the expanding CX family), a new web page has been in the works for quite awhile, and it's finally time to make it public.

If you look at the link line at the top of this page, you'll notice a new "Builder Forum" link has been added. You can access the new forum using that link or add a bookmark (http://forum.cx4community.com/) to your web access program and go directly to it. Anyone is free to view the site, but you must register and sign-in to post to it. Registration requests have to be approved individually, so please be patient until your request is processed.

The website is divided into individual forums covering the CX4, Future CX5, Engines, Props, Aircraft Performance and several additional related topics. Many of the groups are further divided into subforums, where your subject specific posts will be made. The subforum structure will make searches within the site much more effective.

The forum has been created with software that has the capability of many optional features, all requiring a learning curve on the administrative side. The majority of these options have not been activated quite yet. An announcement will be made as they become individually available.

Please post any questions, comments or suggestions to "Forum Website Comments" at the bottom of the Forum list.

Since the launch of the CX4 Community Website over two years ago, it has been regularly visited by people in over 60 countries. In an effort to make viewing the entire website easier for those that have a native language other than English, a new feature has been added to every page.

Just underneath the header is a Google translation tool that will convert the entire page to one of 16 available languages. The automated translations may not be perfect, but they should make site and content navigation easier for those that use the tool.

If anyone would like additional languages added, or have any other comments, please email me directly at the link just above this list.

Dave Thatcher has set the LSA world on fire with the announcement of his new CX5 two-place design project. He has received many emails wondering how soon plans will become available.

In a brief summary from his latest post on the Yahoo site, Dave has reported that there is a great amount of work yet ahead for the CX5. Although most of the plans have been drawn and work on the front fuselage section has begun, proving out the plans is a long process and many changes are expected to crop up as the prototype construction continues.

As Peter Beck outlined in his recent EAA Experimenter article, Dave will "release plans only after the prototype has been flown and completely flight-tested." At this point, it's not possible for Dave to provide a firm date when this will happen.

Stay tuned for further developments...

Pat Panzera has just announced the release of the latest edition of the EAA Experimenter, which features a revolutionary story, authored by Peter Beck, on the new variations of Dave's CX family of aircraft currently in the works. As detailed specifications become available, they will be posted on the Specs page on this site.

Doug Garin just made an announcement on the Yahoo site that his bird officially became the first one to fly in 2011. You can read his "Yahoo" post or view it on the "Pilot Reports" link above.

Doug, I'd like to add my congratulations to the constantly expanding list of those you've already received.

I've learned the upcoming issue of "The EAA Experimenter" will feature an article on the latest CX4 & CX5 variations currently in the works. Watch for Pats announcement when it becomes available!

The best just keeps getting better! Dave just posted this announcement on the Yahoo group site:

Gentlemen:

Requests from many of you who are building, or thinking about building the CX4 have been heard. Although I like the looks of tail wheel aircraft, the last large volume tail wheel aircraft of any kind was about 50 years ago. The cost of getting a tail wheel endorsement and the cost of insurance, and other factors have led me to offer the CX4 as a tri-gear or tail wheel. The CX5 will also be offered as a tri-gear as well as tail wheel.

I appreciate and respect your advice and comments about this subject. I hear you. I'll get to work on this right now.

Dave Thatcher

Editor Note: CX4 & CX5 Tri-gear illustrations have been added to this site. Click on the "3-View Drawings" link at the top of this page. Additional information will be added here as it becomes available.

David has placed a CX5 side view illustration and a 3-view drawing in the Yahoo photo gallery. Click here for a direct link.

Editor Note:  The CX5 side view is shown on the top right corner on every page of this website. The CX5 3-view drawing can be viewed here as well. Click on the "3-View Drawings" link at the top of this page.

In response to a question posted on the CX4 Yahoo group site, Dave replied:

There is a two place CX4, called the CX5, in the mock up and drawing stage. Some construction is under way. It will look like the CX4, only with tandem seating. Availability is unknown at this time. Its a real beautiful looker on paper. It will have a Revmaster 80 or 90 HP VW engine.
 
Thank you for your interest. Dave Thatcher

Peter Beck just announced the launch of a new website, Thatcher CX4 Works, outlining the kits and assemblies that he has developed and made available as a licensee for Dave Thatcher.

Visit Thatcher CX4 Works for detailed information on:

• Complete airframe kits
• Individual fuselage, main spar, wing and tail surface kits.
• Formed ribs and bulkheads
• Ailerons
• Engine mounts

The presentation of Dave's N3058W in the Homebuilder's Hanger was a well attended success! Hosted by Peter Beck, with the assistance of Joe Norris, Scott Casler and Ted Beck, 96 people received a thorough briefing on the CX4.

Fond du Lac (FLD) has reached it's capacity and is now closed to new arrivals. As of last night, Appleton (ATW) was still accepting parking aircraft; although camping is not allowed. Aircraft seeking camping or parking are being accepted at Manitowoc (MTW).

The EAA is updating Airventure.org/aircraft/parking_status.asp several times a day or you can call and listen to a recorded message at 920-230-7820.

Three days of torrential rains have left much of Wittman Fields grass parking areas at Oshkosh in seriously soggy condition just as the mass of AirVenture arrivals were beginning. As of Saturday evening (8 PM CDT), aircraft parking and camping areas have been closed, and aircraft are being diverted to land at other airports in the area.

EAA's Dick Knapinski has advised that anyone planning to fly into Wittman should check the latest EAA AirVenture parking status at Airventure.org/aircraft/parking_status.asp before departing on their final leg into Oshkosh.

While the weather has been generally improving, field conditions will be continually evaluated to determine what areas can be opened. EAA will update their website (linked above) with additional information as it becomes available.

Unable to attend Oshkosh 2010?
Here are a few live video & audio links that may help ease the pain:

(NOTE: These links should be active for the duration of the convention.
They may take a short time to load due to the large volume of web traffic they create!)

Live Streaming Video:
Runway 18/36
Runway 9/27
AeroShell Square
Theater in the Woods (7:30-11:00 PM CST)
AirVenture Museum (4 Interactive Webcams)

Live Streaming Audio:
Tower (South - 18/36)
Tower (North - 9/27)
Fisk
EAA Radio
EAA Radio (Alternate)

Click here for the details...

6/27/10 3:50 PM Editor Note: Dennis has just joined the group. I'm sure we'll all look
forward to his PIREP's

Read all  PIREPS reported to date.

Check out their latest photos on Coppermine.

Plans are included in S/N 418 and later. A new drawing is available for earlier builders.

2010/05/18