"Peter Dohm" wrote in message
. ..

"Morgans" wrote in message
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"Roger (K8RI)" wrote

Aw come on, you missed the most obvious utility twin. The Cri Cri.
:-)) Economical on gas too:-))
Someone mentioned that one, But that is an interesting one! g

I think I remember seeing one with two engines on each pod. So, how many
here have ever flown an aircraft with 4 honkin' engines? g

That would make some sense. Two to maintain flight, and 4 for takeoff
and climb.

I think it would probably need to have tip tanks and wet wings, though!
:-))
--
Jim in NC

I have personally wasted more time with a scratch pad than I really care
to admit--exploring the concept of a multi engine homebuilt. In the end,
except for a few special cases like the Cri-Cri or the Air-Cam, I doubt
that there is enough of a market to develope a kit.

Basically, if you demand the ability to maintain altitude with one engine
inoperative and you eliminate the constant speed props that make multi
engined aircraft competitive; then you make no gain in speed or payload
compared to an equivalent single using a climb prop. You do gain usefull
load, but it goes into added fuel; and you gain gross weight, but it goes
into the additional engine, fuel, and structure.

Alternatively, if you add in the costs and complexity of the parts that
normally make multi engine viable, such as constant speed props; then the
cost and the build time increase dramatically. In the end, a used and
type certified twin makes more sense--unless it simply does not exist for
the proposed mission.

Peter

I ran pretty much the same numbers and came to the same conclusion.

My goal was a personal airplane that could carry a motorcycle weighing about
600 pounds. Hoisting a bike this size in through a side door didn't look
attractive so I wound up with a sort of baby C-130 with two engines and a
tail ramp.

For economy reasons I really wanted a single but the geometry just gets
really weird. Any cargo that heavy has to go on the CG if you intend to be
able to fly without it. With the price of avgas these days, it makes more
sense to just ride the motorcycle to the destination.

Bill D

Bill Daniels