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Good plans-built Light Sport Aircraft



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 11th 04, 09:08 PM
Rob Schneider
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Posts: n/a
Default Good plans-built Light Sport Aircraft

Having been a lurker on this site for a while, I'm not sure what I'll
get as a response to this post, but here goes:

I have a long term plan to get a PPL and build a plane for cross
country travel (from South Dakota to Idaho, so it would involve flying
over the Rockies). Maybe a Dyke Delta, but this part of the plan is
so far off, things could change between now and then (and all things
considered, it may end up making more sense to rent something, too,
but at this point I'm hoping to build a second plane).

My more immediate desire is to get a Sport Pilot license and get some
stick time in a Light Sport aircraft - I want a lot of flight time
under my belt before I take the family up.

So, what I am looking for is suggestions for a good choice for a plans
built LSA, preferably wood (I've already got the tools) but I'm not
absolutely set on that factor. Since this would be the first of two
planes, it needs to be as low cost as possible (Aviation Induced
Divorce Syndrome, you know.) I want something more substancial than
an ultralight - preferably an enclosed cabin. A kit probably isn't an
option, as I'm hoping to pay for it by spreading small costs out over
time rather than putting big lumps on the credit card (excluding the
engine, of course).

I seem to like the more unconventional designs (say the Ibis, or
Barnaby, how 'bout some plans for the FacetMobile?) but in the
interest of keeping this first plane as cheap as possible, I'm
guessing I'll end up with a traditional design. I'm expecting
something along the lines of a VW power plant. Single seat is fine,
assuming I'd be able to use this thing to stay current with my
evenutal PPL. I'm in my mid thirties and plan to keep this plane for
a long time, so resale isn't a big factor.

I saw somewhere somebody built a small version of the Dyke Delta, but
apparently the plans aren't available. Too bad, as that could
dovetail nicely with my long term plans for the full size plane
(assuming it qualified as an LSA).

At any rate, basically it needs to be cheap to build, cheap to own,
and fun to fly. Off the top of my head, I've heard good and bad
things about the Volksplane, next to nothing about the Afordaplane,
and generally good things about the Pietenpol. Any advice on those
three, and any suggestions for alternatives?

Thanks in advance.

Rob
  #2  
Old August 12th 04, 04:19 AM
James R. Freeman
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Posts: n/a
Default

Look at:

http://www.lightminiatureaircraft.com/

Their website is under an update at the moment but you can look at the
Yahoo group. Fred and Doc have been at this since the 80s and give great
support. They have 3 models of stick and rag models that meet L.S.A. .

The Evans VP-1 and VP-2 will do a good job. You can still get the VP-1
plans from Evans or a lot of folks on the VP (Yahoo again) have a spare
unused set. Evans stopped selling the VP-2 plans but again they are not hard
to find.
Jim

"Rob Schneider" wrote in message
om...
Having been a lurker on this site for a while, I'm not sure what I'll
get as a response to this post, but here goes:

I have a long term plan to get a PPL and build a plane for cross
country travel (from South Dakota to Idaho, so it would involve flying
over the Rockies). Maybe a Dyke Delta, but this part of the plan is
so far off, things could change between now and then (and all things
considered, it may end up making more sense to rent something, too,
but at this point I'm hoping to build a second plane).

My more immediate desire is to get a Sport Pilot license and get some
stick time in a Light Sport aircraft - I want a lot of flight time
under my belt before I take the family up.

So, what I am looking for is suggestions for a good choice for a plans
built LSA, preferably wood (I've already got the tools) but I'm not
absolutely set on that factor. Since this would be the first of two
planes, it needs to be as low cost as possible (Aviation Induced
Divorce Syndrome, you know.) I want something more substancial than
an ultralight - preferably an enclosed cabin. A kit probably isn't an
option, as I'm hoping to pay for it by spreading small costs out over
time rather than putting big lumps on the credit card (excluding the
engine, of course).

I seem to like the more unconventional designs (say the Ibis, or
Barnaby, how 'bout some plans for the FacetMobile?) but in the
interest of keeping this first plane as cheap as possible, I'm
guessing I'll end up with a traditional design. I'm expecting
something along the lines of a VW power plant. Single seat is fine,
assuming I'd be able to use this thing to stay current with my
evenutal PPL. I'm in my mid thirties and plan to keep this plane for
a long time, so resale isn't a big factor.

I saw somewhere somebody built a small version of the Dyke Delta, but
apparently the plans aren't available. Too bad, as that could
dovetail nicely with my long term plans for the full size plane
(assuming it qualified as an LSA).

At any rate, basically it needs to be cheap to build, cheap to own,
and fun to fly. Off the top of my head, I've heard good and bad
things about the Volksplane, next to nothing about the Afordaplane,
and generally good things about the Pietenpol. Any advice on those
three, and any suggestions for alternatives?

Thanks in advance.

Rob



  #3  
Old August 12th 04, 08:15 AM
Robert Loer
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Posts: n/a
Default

Check out the M-19 Squirrel.

go to http://www.flysquirrel.net/

Robert
"Rob Schneider" wrote in message
om...
Having been a lurker on this site for a while, I'm not sure what I'll
get as a response to this post, but here goes:




  #4  
Old August 12th 04, 11:55 AM
Fred in Florida
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Posts: n/a
Default

Good LSA cuise and cheap to build and own? Wittman's Buttercup -- see:

http://www.luceair.com

Fred

"Rob Schneider" wrote in message
om...
Having been a lurker on this site for a while, I'm not sure what I'll
get as a response to this post, but here goes:

I have a long term plan to get a PPL and build a plane for cross
country travel (from South Dakota to Idaho, so it would involve flying
over the Rockies). Maybe a Dyke Delta, but this part of the plan is
so far off, things could change between now and then (and all things
considered, it may end up making more sense to rent something, too,
but at this point I'm hoping to build a second plane).

My more immediate desire is to get a Sport Pilot license and get some
stick time in a Light Sport aircraft - I want a lot of flight time
under my belt before I take the family up.

So, what I am looking for is suggestions for a good choice for a plans
built LSA, preferably wood (I've already got the tools) but I'm not
absolutely set on that factor. Since this would be the first of two
planes, it needs to be as low cost as possible (Aviation Induced
Divorce Syndrome, you know.) I want something more substancial than
an ultralight - preferably an enclosed cabin. A kit probably isn't an
option, as I'm hoping to pay for it by spreading small costs out over
time rather than putting big lumps on the credit card (excluding the
engine, of course).

I seem to like the more unconventional designs (say the Ibis, or
Barnaby, how 'bout some plans for the FacetMobile?) but in the
interest of keeping this first plane as cheap as possible, I'm
guessing I'll end up with a traditional design. I'm expecting
something along the lines of a VW power plant. Single seat is fine,
assuming I'd be able to use this thing to stay current with my
evenutal PPL. I'm in my mid thirties and plan to keep this plane for
a long time, so resale isn't a big factor.

I saw somewhere somebody built a small version of the Dyke Delta, but
apparently the plans aren't available. Too bad, as that could
dovetail nicely with my long term plans for the full size plane
(assuming it qualified as an LSA).

At any rate, basically it needs to be cheap to build, cheap to own,
and fun to fly. Off the top of my head, I've heard good and bad
things about the Volksplane, next to nothing about the Afordaplane,
and generally good things about the Pietenpol. Any advice on those
three, and any suggestions for alternatives?

Thanks in advance.

Rob



  #5  
Old August 12th 04, 04:31 PM
Rob Schneider
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ron Wanttaja wrote in message . ..
On 11 Aug 2004 13:08:34 -0700, (Rob
Schneider) wrote:

So, what I am looking for is suggestions for a good choice for a plans
built LSA, preferably wood (I've already got the tools) but I'm not
absolutely set on that factor. Since this would be the first of two
planes, it needs to be as low cost as possible (Aviation Induced
Divorce Syndrome, you know.) I want something more substancial than
an ultralight - preferably an enclosed cabin. A kit probably isn't an
option, as I'm hoping to pay for it by spreading small costs out over
time rather than putting big lumps on the credit card (excluding the
engine, of course).


Fly Baby, of course...assuming they ever start selling plans again. Too
big for a VW, but in some quarters, this is considered a plus. :-)

http://www.bowersflybaby.com

Ron Wanttaja


Ron,

I would qualify yours as a "predictable" response. LOL!

From the looks of it, this would have to be kept at an airport (not
trailerable) and what's the ballpark figure for an A-65?

This looks like a wonderful plane, perhaps on the high end of what I'm
searching for. I'm only about 5'7", and weigh about 200 lbs (really,
I've got wide shoulders!) so this plane looks might be a tad big for
my needs, but it's definitely worthy of consideration. Looks like
there are a lot of them out there. Is it really that cheap to
maintain?

Rob
  #6  
Old August 13th 04, 12:24 AM
Rob Schneider
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"James R. Freeman" wrote in message ...
Look at:

http://www.lightminiatureaircraft.com/

Their website is under an update at the moment but you can look at the
Yahoo group. Fred and Doc have been at this since the 80s and give great
support. They have 3 models of stick and rag models that meet L.S.A. .

The Evans VP-1 and VP-2 will do a good job. You can still get the VP-1
plans from Evans or a lot of folks on the VP (Yahoo again) have a spare
unused set. Evans stopped selling the VP-2 plans but again they are not hard
to find.
Jim

I stumbled onto the plans for the VP-2 a while ago, but the fact that
Evans isn't selling them anymore makes me a bit hesitant. Evans web
site says they own the copyright for both planes, so I don't
understand why they wouldn't be selling both.

What are the differences between the VP-1 and VP-2, and does anybody
know why the VP-2 plans are off the market?
  #7  
Old August 13th 04, 01:07 AM
C.D.Damron
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Posts: n/a
Default


"Rob Schneider" wrote in message
om...
What are the differences between the VP-1 and VP-2, and does anybody
know why the VP-2 plans are off the market?


I've talked to a couple of builders and owners. They all seem to agree that
designs have evolved a bit in all areas. Compare the construction of a
Mini-Max to a VP-1. The Max seems pretty beefy, in comparison.



  #8  
Old August 13th 04, 02:58 AM
Rob Schneider
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Robert Loer" wrote in message ...
Check out the M-19 Squirrel.

go to http://www.flysquirrel.net/

Robert
"Rob Schneider" wrote in message
om...
Having been a lurker on this site for a while, I'm not sure what I'll
get as a response to this post, but here goes:


This one looks pretty interesting, but the cabin would be too narrow
(I wasn't kidding about the wide shoulders). I'm not quite sure what
to make of the wood, foam, and fiberglass construction, either. Seems
like overkill to have a wood frame and a fiberglass monocoque all in
the same body.

I'm also a little hesitant to play with fiberglass, as from what I've
read the resin volume is difficult to get right, and it can have
significant strength and/or weight penalties if you get it wrong.

I've played with RC planes over the years (none glass) and done a bit
of wood working, so I'm pretty comfortable with wood. I don't have
the tools for metal, and I can't see buying them just to build the
plane. I guess if I eventually build the Dyke Delta, I'll need some
experience with fiberglass, anyway.

I'll give this one some thought. I wonder how difficult it would be
to widen the cockpit four or five inches...

Thanks.

Rob
  #10  
Old August 13th 04, 02:51 PM
Ryan Young
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Posts: n/a
Default

(Rob Schneider) wrote in message . com...

So, what I am looking for is suggestions for a good choice for a plans
built LSA, preferably wood


Some ideas for you at
http://users.lmi.net/~ryoung/Sonerai/rant.html

You may want to think again about a kit. Both the Fisher and the JDT
designs are available as kits in bite sized chunks.
http://www.fisherflying.com/fleet/TheAvenger/prices.php
http://www.jdtmini-max.com/1550v.htm

The V-Max you can build from plans.

Other designs that meet your criteria include:
* Avions Pottier P-60, P - 180, P - 130
* Brandli Cherry or Swing
* Brugger MB2 Colibri
* Clutton FRED
* Cvjetkovic's CA-61(Mini Ace) might be too fast
* Druine Turbulent
* Falconair F-9
* Fisher Avenger, Youngster
* Flying Flea
* Flaglor Sky Scooter
* Jodel d-9, D17, D-18
* KR-1, -2 (wood fuselage, wooden wing spar) Might be too fast
* Stern ST-80, ST-85
* Taylor Monoplane
 




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