Costs of composites

I went to the local chapter. Most of the guys there built an ultralight in
the 60's, and that was it....

I am not saying anything bad about that chapter, or the EAA, but I need a
little more guidance. I am looking at cost verses weight & stength. Any
words of advice besides "Join EAA"?

"Peter Dohm" wrote in message
. ..
"Denny" wrote in message
oups.com...
And another dreamer gets the bug... Find your local EAA chapter... Join
it... Get to know the guys and see their projects... You will be more
educated, more enlightened, and more likely to actually finish a
project - and have it actually fly...


Better still, also visit and get to know some of the members of additional
chapters, if there are more than one chapter in your area.

Eight of ten years ago, my chapter appeared to be a "Cozy" chapter, and
has since become more of an "RV" chapter, although there are numerous
other types of aircraft and projects ...

There is little question that a moldless composite is the cheapest form of
construction and the easiest to form into complex shapes; and *if* you
have the skill and mindset work the Burt Rutan used to do, it can also be
the fastest to complete. However, fiber reinforced plastic has some real
quirks. Although it would currently be my material of choice, I would
also need a *lot* of advice before trying to go from the 'doodle pad' to
a physical project.

Back when the Vari Eze's were fairly new, and Burt Rutan was touring
the country and giving seminars; I watched him work at one of them.
That proved, beyond question, that moldless composite is the fastest
possible construction method for 'plans built' or 'custom built' aircraft.

However, the experience of chapter members on their projects suggest
that there are multiple reasons for the project to 'bog down' ...

Also, keep in mind that your building space, especially if you have to
rent,
is part of the project cost. Even though, for esthetic reasons, I don't
like
'Hershey Bar' wings; an RV-9 Quick Build can start looking like a very
good value, when you include the rental of a hangar or warehouse.

So, join a chapter. Visit all you can reasonable drive (or fly) to. And
pick as many brains as you can.