wrote in message . ..
On Wed, 07 Jul 2004 01:38:38 GMT, (Badwater
Bill) wrote:

Don't ever modify anything from the plans if you build a kit or a
plans-built airplane. You don't know what the designer has done to
keep weight to a minimum and allow maximum strength for given part,
like a wing or a tail, etc. Don't modify anything. It's all been
CAD-CAM designed by computers and you don't have the thousands of
dollars (or hours) available to you to check all the scenarios of your
modification.

Right . . . unless it wasn't. Never say never. Take the Christavia
for instance, wasn't CAD-CAM designed, tube frame is laid out on the
concret floor with tape measure and chalk lines and is modified as
necessary depending on what you use for an engine. Designer even told
me where to lengthen the fuselage and by how much, give or take. He
admitted he over designed it on purpose. It's hell for stout because
of it, but WAY overbuilt.

Corky Scott


Ditto the Fly Baby. Most of the smaller parts are "cut to fit." The
plans call for 1/8 ply for the ribs, but the designer said that's only
because it's cheaper than 1/16. You can use door skins for the
fuselage if the laminate glue passes a 3-hr boil test. Use pine for
the capstrips if you want. Just don't compromise on the spars and
longerons.

Corrie