more than a air show

[Travis]

I know some of you folks like planes.
Scroll down to middle of age.

http://militaryvideos.com/cameron-air-show-2014/

Let me know what you think.

Travis

 

[RogerS]

Intriguing video. The biplanes are amazing but I guess if you put enough HP in the front then you can basically just hang vertically off the prop! It's a shame that the editing is so choppy - I'd have much preferred just seeing the entire biplane sequence in its entirety.

Are folks in America still building their own planes? I remember when I visited my grandparents in the 50's that there were stacks of magazines catering for this.

 

[Travis]

Are folks in America still building their own planes? I remember when I visited my grandparents in the 50's that there were stacks of magazines catering for this.

There was a lot interest about 40 or so years ago.
I think the government got too restrictive and it was hard and expensive to comply.
Same today only worse.

Travis

 

[colinc]

Are folks in America still building their own planes? I remember when I visited my grandparents in the 50's that there were stacks of magazines catering for this.

There was a lot interest about 40 or so years ago.
I think the government got too restrictive and it was hard and expensive to comply.
Same today only worse.

Travis

I had to respond to this because home building of aircraft is alive and well in both the UK and the USA. I'm restoring one homebuilt and building another from scratch. Mine are both wooden aircraft and well within the capabilities of the many woodworkers here. See http://www.chilton-aircraft.co.uk and http://www.jodel.com for the two types.

In the USA they do enjoy more freedom to design and build experimental aircraft. However changes in the UK rules mean that you are now entirely free to design, build and fly your own single seat microlight (max 300kg all up weight) as long as you have insurance and an appropriate Pilot's licence. Of course, you need to know what you are doing, but it can be done. Larger aircraft are subject to approval and inspection, but there is a whole infrastructure in place to support amateur construction - http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk

In the USA the organisation supporting builders is much bigger: http://www.eaa.org/eaa

Regards,

Colin

 

[RogerS]

Thanks for the links, Colin. Very interesting. But the big question is....

...where's your WIP photos !!

 

[colinc]

Hi,

not too many photos of work in progress on the Jodel as I have only recently collected it and have been de-constructing it and checking it over to make sure there are no structural problems. The aircraft was damaged in a minor accident then dismantled and stored for seven years before I bought it.

The fuselage is now in my workshop and I have removed the canopy, electrics, instruments, plumbing and harnesses etc. Am now starting to build a new panel and wiring. I have also acquired an engine for it that needs to be stripped and inspected/NDT'd then rebuilt.

This will take quite a bit of work (and money) but I will keep a photographic record. If you are interested there are some photos here: http://s894.photobucket.com/user/colin_cheese/library/G-BAPR

There are also photos of one I did a few years ago here: http://s894.photobucket.com/user/colin_cheese/library/G-BPHP that was all in bits too when I first got involved with it.

regards,

Colin

 

[RogerS]

Thanks for posting, Colin. Nice workshop by the look of things !

 

[mind_the_goat]

I like planes, but how do you sharpen them ?

 

[Eric The Viking]

Out of curiosity, whose flat four engine is it?

I vaguely remember Porsche being used, I think, and BMW R80 engines (twins) like the one on my bike. Is that right?

E.

 

[colinc]

Out of curiosity, whose flat four engine is it?

I vaguely remember Porsche being used, I think, and BMW R80 engines (twins) like the one on my bike. Is that right?

E.

That engine is a Continental C-90 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_O-200. It's a flat four of about 3.3L displacement. A pretty old design but very dependable if properly maintained. Power is 90hp normal (2475 rpm) and 95hp at take off (2625 rpm).

BMW twins have been used on some aircraft and are usually coupled to a gear box as like most non-aero engines they develop power at too high an rpm to drive a propeller efficiently. There are other motor vehicle conversions, most notably the VW flat four (sometimes people used Porsche pots) which is very popular in small home-builts, and also the Subaru boxer engines have a following.

Not many bike conversions are very successful, the BMW for example comes out a bit too heavy and has never really done well compared to dedicated designs. Most bike engines rev too high to be useful.

The other thing is that vehicle engines are designed for short bursts of power and cannot sustain their max. power for very long. Aero engines are designed to cruise along all day at their rated output and not overheat.

regards,

Colin

 

[Eric The Viking]

I did wonder about the BMW's weight. I've never had mine out of the frame, but it's bloomin heavy if it ever falls off its stand (I have pot guards fitted).

I've seen the aero gearbox, too - or pictures of it, anyway. It's a lot lighter than the bike box, I guess because it's simpler and doesn't need the clutch (which is as big as the ones on some cars). The un-tuned R80 is only 65HP, I think, so it's probably a bit of a struggle. It does develop a lot of torque at lower reve though (compared to multi-cylinder engines of similar size).