FX3 newbuild - any advice ?

[viator092]

Two things not mentioned. Observer rear windows. And EarthX battery (ETX900 Experimental version). Get the post adapters to facilitate attaching a battery minder and jump pack pigtail. I use the NOCO models. If you can get the factory to mount them up even better. You’ll thank me later.

 

[Neal]

Observer rear windows

If you're talking about the unpainted rear windows, yeah, that's what I got. Personal preference but I'll take all the windows space I can get for the view.

 

[Meconiates]

What are Observer rear windows ?

I already have the EarthX 900 spec’d with pigtails.

See latest build sheet:

 

[Neal]

In reviewing my build sheet some things come to mind:

1. If you're considering a cargo pod such as carbon concepts you'll want the adel clamps installed pre-fabric for the cleanest look with no patch work later.
2. Do you want the rear stick cover? I got it and use it often as I typically don't have someone with me and the intent is dog as passenger which I've only done once to date. But if you carry cargo, etc. you don't want anything hitting the flight controls, the stick cover is a nice option, but expensive.
3. Do you want any wiring for potential cameras such as out on the right wing?
4. Do you want push to talk on the rear stick as auto pilot disconnect is the default for the button on the rear stick with PTT on the left wing root.
5. Rear seat 12V aux outlet? Never use mine but I have it
6. Additional overhead snapvents? Two is the default, I got the additional two so I have "air conditioning" as best as you're going to get.
7. I went with HD (heavy duty) fabric on the bottom of the fuselage and horizontal stab

Personally, I wouldn't pay for phase I fly off. It's darned near a scam now as the hours they need to complete the task based fly off is minimal beyond their testing. I'd just go out there, take delivery, do the fly off and have fun with it, be near the factory should you find squawks as I did, etc.

Make sure all avionics leave with the latest versions installed and also the G5 is calibrated along with the G3X, i.e. compare altimeters. My first plane was not calibrated and I had to get it done, the second one (2023) was.

 

[viator092]

What are Observer rear windows ?

I already have the EarthX 900 spec’d with pigtails.

See latest build sheet:

Rear window

 

[Neal]

Yup, also called unpainted rear windows. Love them!

 

[viator092]

Not sure what your sales guy is recommending but in order to avoid WA sales tax I took delivery at Lewiston ID. Daughter of a guy with a warbird hangar there handles paperwork. Hopefully he’s not there that day. That guy can talk. I wouldn’t want to be trapped in a cockpit with him during a week on the road.

 

[TailwindsJJ]

Has anyone see a FX3 IFR variant with either the 307 or 507 Garmin AP Head? My current SS has the 307 head with knobs for heading and altitude but it appears that Cub Crafters defaults to the 305 head when in IFR configuration because there is not enough space under the Garmin 355. The 307 head is nearly 0.5” taller than the 305.

I am trying to see if it’s possible to retain the 307 series head in my IFR configured FX3.

Hi Feel free to contact me - last July I completed an EX3 on Nantucket it’s kept there year round

 

[ve6yeq]

Two things not mentioned. Observer rear windows. And EarthX battery (ETX900 Experimental version). Get the post adapters to facilitate attaching a battery minder and jump pack pigtail. I use the NOCO models. If you can get the factory to mount them up even better. You’ll thank me later.

Please remember that if you use a “jump pack” on a Lithium based battery such as an EarthX, you will either permanently damage the battery or cause an immediate battery fire. If you ever significantly discharge a Lithium based battery, you will need a Lithium battery charger to recharge the battery before you can use it.
For the EarthX batteries, they recommend the Optimate Lithium chargers so I would have the pigtail installed at the factory if you do not have a suitable torque wrench and dielectric grease to install it yourself.

 

[Neal]

Please remember that if you use a “jump pack” on a Lithium based battery such as an EarthX, you will either permanently damage the battery or cause an immediate battery fire.

We really need to start a new thread on this and discuss this and/or also ask @earthxbatteries. I did a quick ping on chatGPT and it tells me LiFePO4 batteries can be jump started.