Which Ultralight to build.....

("patrick mitchel" wrote)
how bout the flitplane from ed fisher


http://www.digitalmarketingusa.com/flitplane.html
The Flitplane

http://www.digitalmarketingusa.com/h...ltralight.html
Home Despot Ultralight ......"Motor Glider 101"

A: Why not name it 103? (Stall speed. Drat!)
B: I like different, and this is different!!!

(From the link)
Power is provided by two 10 HP Tecumseh motors are mounted directly onto two
by two's, hollowed out in the center with 1/8 inch plywood on the side. No
rubber mounts are used for the engines, but it would be a good idea. Power
from the two 10 HP engines was transferred directly to the props, no gear
reduction was used. The props for the prototype were homemade and were
"whittled out of wood." They were redesigned several times until optimum
performance was reached. The wings have a plywood main spar, the ribs are
Styrofoam, and 1.7-ounce Dacron sail cloth is used as a covering material.
According the Jack he has "over 50 years of experience building planes."

The plane shown here had about 7 hours on it with the last flight made the
week prior to the show where it was on display. Jack reports that it fly's
along at about 40 to 45 mph. When asked how much the average person would
have invested in materials - the reply was "if you go down and buy
everything from Home Depot, the average person will have about $1,000
invested in engines and materials. However, the builder will, carve his own
props or buy some commercially produced." Of course materials like the 4130
steel tubing, sail cloth, etc will have to be sourced out somewhere else.

http://www.digitalmarketingusa.com/index.html
Ok, the subs are COOL!


Montblack

"Montblack" wrote:

http://www.digitalmarketingusa.com/index.html

Tecumseh motors cost more than they used to...

Like alot of things...

"Montblack" wrote

http://www.digitalmarketingusa.com/index.html
Ok, the subs are COOL!

No doubt! I want one of the luxury 213' luxury models!
--
Jim in NC

Montblack wrote:
("patrick mitchel" wrote)
how bout the flitplane from ed fisher


http://www.digitalmarketingusa.com/flitplane.html
The Flitplane

http://www.digitalmarketingusa.com/h...ltralight.html
Home Despot Ultralight ......"Motor Glider 101"

A: Why not name it 103? (Stall speed. Drat!)
B: I like different, and this is different!!!

(From the link)
Power is provided by two 10 HP Tecumseh motors are mounted directly onto two
by two's, ....

IIRC it also weighs more than 400 lbs, nowhere close to being
a FAR 103 Ultralight.

That's why he calls it a 'Motorglider', not an Ultralight.

OTOH if you have (or can get) a glider license with a self-launch
endorsement then a motorglider may be a better choice than
a FAR 103 ultralight.

--

FF

"Montblack" wrote in message
...
("patrick mitchel" wrote)
how bout the flitplane from ed fisher


http://www.digitalmarketingusa.com/flitplane.html
The Flitplane


Looks like a good possibility, especially for a first attempt. What are the
pros and cons?

Searching for plans, various places are selling them (Raceair, Midwest
Engineering..) Who owns the rights?

WayneC

The Kolb FireFly is perfect for what you ask.
Plane has a folding wing system.
http://www.tnkolbaircraft.com/ultralights.html



Have a good day and stay out of the trees!
See ya on Sport Aircraft group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/




On Jun 3, 12:44 pm, "WC" wrote:
OK, was planning on building a Texas Parasol (as you've probably seen from
my previous posts) but it's looking like it may not be a very good design
for a legal 103. That being the case, what design to build. I spent a good
part of my life as a mechanic, can weld steel and aluminum (stick, mig,
tig), have access to a machine shop. Below is my wish list.

Legal FAR Part 103 (not going to quibble a few pounds but would like it
close)

Built from plans rather then kit

Short takeoff and landing (under 300 feet)

Prefer a high wing

Ability to trailer (wings remove easily)

Prefer tractors to pushers

Big wheels a plus (for field operations)

I tend to prefer "conventional" looking designs like the N-3 Pup or a J-3
kitten but I can't see how it can be kept near 254 without striping it naked
so I'm starting to think a more form follows function design (keep it simple
and to the point and invest the weight where it is useful rather then on
ascetics). With that in mind I'm looking at designs like the Dream Classic
or the Weedhopper 40 although both of these are kit. How about the Legal
Eagle? One other design I was looking at was the Aero Adventure Aventura UL
(even though its out of my price range). Do you get to take the float
allowance flying boat?

Looking forward to your advice;

WayneC

wrote in message
ups.com...
The Kolb FireFly is perfect for what you ask.
Plane has a folding wing system.
http://www.tnkolbaircraft.com/ultralights.html




I agree the Kolb looks perfect. While looking at the "conventional" looking
aircraft I look at the Firefly and think that they managed to get the most
for the least weight. I may even break down and go kit if I can scratch
enough money together all at once. I'm still holding out for plans. The
Flitplane looks good but I can't figure out who owns the rights to it. I've
sent out e-mails asking for current quotes/information etc and have received
no responce. The Air bike looks awsome also but who owns the rights. I can
get some plans online...If I build a plane from these can I fly it? (if they
are un-autherized copies, whats the deal?) Hell, I can't even get a answer
from Weedhopper even though they are listed in the 2007 Kitplane buyers
guide (but weedhoppers web site is like two years behind....) ....

Anyway, thanks for the ideas.... I'm still hunting...

Richard Riley wrote:
On Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:50:59 -0700, wrote:


The Kolb FireFly is perfect for what you ask.
Plane has a folding wing system.
http://www.tnkolbaircraft.com/ultralights.html



Except - it's a kit, he wants to build from plans.

The CGS hawk has the same limitation. Both are good planes.

I'm just wrapping up work on a one-off that fits everything he wants,
but a) if plans are made available, it won't be for a couple of years
at least and b) the wings don't fold, it takes a good hour to put them
up or down.

Hey Richard,

Don't tease like that!

Whatcha got?

Richard

Richard Riley wrote:

Hey Richard,

Don't tease like that!

Whatcha got?

Richard


Soon as it goes around the pattern, there'll be a full web page, but
there's a picture on page 5 here

http://www.eaach1.org/wingnuts/2007April.pdf

Designed by Barnaby! Cool.

From that little picture it looks to have a single surface wing,
but the planform??? Or is that just ailerons?

Richard

There is a set of Team Air-bike plans for sale on Ebay, a day and a
half to go. http://tinyurl.com/yuftat


On Jun 12, 12:12 am, Richard Riley wrote:
On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 19:20:00 GMT, cavelamb himself

wrote:

Designed by Barnaby! Cool.

It's a joint design. I happily take second billing.



From that little picture it looks to have a single surface wing,

Yes, it does.

but the planform???

Yeah, ain't it, though?

In thinking about it, I think plans built and easily folding wing are
the conflict. Folding wings usually need fairly complex fittings at
the wing roots - the kind of things that are beyond people working
with a drill press and bandsaw. I'm not saying it can't be done, just
that it's one reason we don't see them often.