Saturday July 25, 2009
Have not posted anything for a while.
This building an airplane is not as simple and straightforward as it seems.
I have been made aware that an aircraft needs an engine to propel it through the air and logic says well use an aircraft engine sheesh until you see the price and overhaul costs that is.
I have started looking around at what is available in the 65Hp-85 Hp segment and more importantly is there something that is readily available as in automobiles that can be used for aircraft. Yeah car engines are cheap and plentiful.
The next discovery is that aircraft engines are direct drive, the propeller flange is part of the crankshaft so the propeller turns at crankshaft speed. Then because of physics the propeller tips can go supersonic making noise but not much thrust and propeller efficiency drops off rapidly. So to stay away from this situation direct drive propellers are limited to about 3000RPM.
This happens to be where all piston aero engines develop maximum torque and power and are able to easily drive a propeller.
Automobile engines on the other hand make maximum torque at 3000rpm-4500rpm and some even higher and their max power at high rpm in the 600rpm -6500rpm range.
This means an Auto conversion needs a reduction drive to reduce the rpm. This opens a whole new box of snakes and spooks.
Any engine attached to a drive via a gearbox suffers from Torsional vibration and design parameters have to be met so that you don’t destroy parts of the engine or reduction drive or even the propeller.
Read a fine article here
http://www.epi-eng.com/propeller_reduction_technology/torsional_vibration_issues.htm
Direct drive ie prop attached to crankshaft does not suffer from his phenomenon. To such a critical extent.
Turns out that the humble VW beetle engine makes a fine aircraft conversion IF and I stress IF you cool it properly at all times.
I have learned that the engines in our Automobiles are the Long Distance Athletes of the engine world, able to putter along at 25% power at highway speeds in 5th gear.
Aircraft engines on the other hand are more the Sprinters of engine being asked to supply 100% power for take off and then running at 75% power during cruising. So they work really hard and hard work produces more heat so cooling is very important to aircraft engines. The majority of aircraft engines are air cooled.
So to get back to the humble VW beetle engine it is being asked to do things it was never designed to do. This leads to reduced reliability and much shorter times between overhauls of critical components like the cylinder heads and especially the exhaust valves as they take the most heat.
You can read more about VW engines converted to aero engines here
http://www.greatplainsas.com/
http://www.aeroconversions.com/
http://www.revmasteraviation.com/products/r2100_engine/index.htm
http://users.lmi.net/~ryoung/Sonerai/Engines.html
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Decision to build.
The longer I had to hire an aircraft to fly the more despondent I became. It was expensive I could only get an aircraft in a certain time slot which normally did not suit me.
I looked around at buying an aircraft and very quickly gave up that idea because the costs were very high.
I then found out that you were allowed to build and fly your own aircraft. This sounded like the ideal solution.
I found out that different countries have different regulations so enquire in your country for accurate regulations.
I found out that home build aircraft came in many different shapes sizes engine size performance and seating capacity. For more info see he link below.
http://www.homebuilt.org/
I looked at aircraft that would be simple o build and relatively inexpensive to fly.
I quickly found out that there were a bewildering variety of aircraft build from wood and plywood or welded tube fuselages covered with cloth and wings also covered with cloth or al aluminum airplanes or even aircraft build out of foam sheets and covered with polyester resin and cloth made from fiberglass or even more exotic cloths.
I had to do a serious study to firstly see what will I use the aircraft for, then what materials and processes am I comfortable with., how long is the estimated time to build, how good are the plans, are materials available locally to buy or do I have to import? , are semi finished parts available that will save construction time?, do I have the place to build an aircraft?, will my family help? How much will it cost? Can I afford it?
I wanted an aircraft to putter round locally and once in a while do a longish trip somewhere else.
I decided that wood is a readily available material and you don’t need heavy machinery to work it, hand tools are fine.
I found a design that listed 600 hrs build time.
The plans were available and of very good quality
Wood of aircraft quality was available locally.
Plywood would have to be imported
I could import material kits from here http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/kits/index.html
I decided to build the aircraft in the family garage.
My family was not supportive.
The finished cost is about USD 10,000 Materials, Radio and Instruments
I decided I could afford this.
This sounded too good to be true.
I looked around at buying an aircraft and very quickly gave up that idea because the costs were very high.
I then found out that you were allowed to build and fly your own aircraft. This sounded like the ideal solution.
I found out that different countries have different regulations so enquire in your country for accurate regulations.
I found out that home build aircraft came in many different shapes sizes engine size performance and seating capacity. For more info see he link below.
http://www.homebuilt.org/
I looked at aircraft that would be simple o build and relatively inexpensive to fly.
I quickly found out that there were a bewildering variety of aircraft build from wood and plywood or welded tube fuselages covered with cloth and wings also covered with cloth or al aluminum airplanes or even aircraft build out of foam sheets and covered with polyester resin and cloth made from fiberglass or even more exotic cloths.
I had to do a serious study to firstly see what will I use the aircraft for, then what materials and processes am I comfortable with., how long is the estimated time to build, how good are the plans, are materials available locally to buy or do I have to import? , are semi finished parts available that will save construction time?, do I have the place to build an aircraft?, will my family help? How much will it cost? Can I afford it?
I wanted an aircraft to putter round locally and once in a while do a longish trip somewhere else.
I decided that wood is a readily available material and you don’t need heavy machinery to work it, hand tools are fine.
I found a design that listed 600 hrs build time.
The plans were available and of very good quality
Wood of aircraft quality was available locally.
Plywood would have to be imported
I could import material kits from here http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/kits/index.html
I decided to build the aircraft in the family garage.
My family was not supportive.
The finished cost is about USD 10,000 Materials, Radio and Instruments
I decided I could afford this.
This sounded too good to be true.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Learning to Fly
My father left Zambia..
He settled in Salisbury Rhodesia.
I was old enough to take flying lessons at the Mashonaland Flying Club.
What a wonderful time and what a challenge for a young man to knuckle down and apply myself to the discipline of learning to fly.
Alas there were many distractions such as regular nights out and of course I discovered girls.
Flying training continued in a haphazard way and I reached the solo stage. Then it was time for solo hours without the instructor doing exercises that had been demonstrated .
I bumbled along in a haphazard way, passing the Air-law exam, passing the Navigation and Meteorology exams all the while in an irregular way that drove my instructor to distraction..
Then UDI came and the tone and mindset changed as a more serious tone set the pace of life. Young men were suddenly required to be in uniform and the simple pleasurable life moved into the shadows as the new reality took over.
When sanctions and steel rationing made running a business impossible my father packed up and left for South Africa. To start anew in a place that was in a boom cycle with government spending on vast projects that made setting up a viable business easy and rewarding.
I got married and left the business of my father. I eventually decided to move to the UK and enrolled at the prestigious Chelsea College of Aeronautical Engineering. This was based at Shoreham Airport. During the weekends I now continued with my flying lessons and soon finished them and having passed all the relevant Examinations only had to do the dreaded Flight Test.
An appointment was made and weak with anxiety finally passed this last hurdle with a real gentleman who glossed over my more embarrassing errors and instead demonstrated the finer art of aircraft control and forward planning to me. He signed me off and his examination which had actually turned into an intensive instruction hour that was never forgotten.
Let loose with a new PPL, the world was my oyster. I flew regularly and even found employment with an organization that paid me in free flying hours as part of my remuneration package.
My wife had in the meantime qualified in her chosen profession and as we were both young and full of optimism we both decided to get back into the sunshine.
So we packed up and left the UK for South Africa.
If I had to do my flying license again, I would try and get it all done as quickly as possible because I would save an enormous amount of time and money by not having to redo flying exercises because I was rusty and having to redo the written examinations because I had moved to another country.
In the USA you can put our money down at a professional flying school and get your Private flying license in 3 weeks. This is the way to go because intensive training is best and once the basics have been mastered progress is rapid.
My advice to wannabe pilots, save or borrows enough money to be able to enroll in such an establishment.
Google “Flying Training” and narrow the search down to your chosen area.
He settled in Salisbury Rhodesia.
I was old enough to take flying lessons at the Mashonaland Flying Club.
What a wonderful time and what a challenge for a young man to knuckle down and apply myself to the discipline of learning to fly.
Alas there were many distractions such as regular nights out and of course I discovered girls.
Flying training continued in a haphazard way and I reached the solo stage. Then it was time for solo hours without the instructor doing exercises that had been demonstrated .
I bumbled along in a haphazard way, passing the Air-law exam, passing the Navigation and Meteorology exams all the while in an irregular way that drove my instructor to distraction..
Then UDI came and the tone and mindset changed as a more serious tone set the pace of life. Young men were suddenly required to be in uniform and the simple pleasurable life moved into the shadows as the new reality took over.
When sanctions and steel rationing made running a business impossible my father packed up and left for South Africa. To start anew in a place that was in a boom cycle with government spending on vast projects that made setting up a viable business easy and rewarding.
I got married and left the business of my father. I eventually decided to move to the UK and enrolled at the prestigious Chelsea College of Aeronautical Engineering. This was based at Shoreham Airport. During the weekends I now continued with my flying lessons and soon finished them and having passed all the relevant Examinations only had to do the dreaded Flight Test.
An appointment was made and weak with anxiety finally passed this last hurdle with a real gentleman who glossed over my more embarrassing errors and instead demonstrated the finer art of aircraft control and forward planning to me. He signed me off and his examination which had actually turned into an intensive instruction hour that was never forgotten.
Let loose with a new PPL, the world was my oyster. I flew regularly and even found employment with an organization that paid me in free flying hours as part of my remuneration package.
My wife had in the meantime qualified in her chosen profession and as we were both young and full of optimism we both decided to get back into the sunshine.
So we packed up and left the UK for South Africa.
If I had to do my flying license again, I would try and get it all done as quickly as possible because I would save an enormous amount of time and money by not having to redo flying exercises because I was rusty and having to redo the written examinations because I had moved to another country.
In the USA you can put our money down at a professional flying school and get your Private flying license in 3 weeks. This is the way to go because intensive training is best and once the basics have been mastered progress is rapid.
My advice to wannabe pilots, save or borrows enough money to be able to enroll in such an establishment.
Google “Flying Training” and narrow the search down to your chosen area.
My first time at the controls.
Sometime during my thirteenth year I had grown in height to over 5 feet 6inches.
A diddle was done and a friend of my father who had a transport company had to have his truck drivers Public Service licenses renewed every 6 months. So a plan was hatched whereby my driver’s application was inserted into this pile of paperwork he had to submit. It worked and I received my first official drivers license at age 13 except the date of birth part was not 100% accurate. I still have this driver’s license
I was thus able to do collections and deliveries for my father with the company pick up truck a newish Datsun 1 tonner with a Pipe rack overhead so that long pieces of steel could be transported.
During this time my father’s partner also completed his pilot’s license.
One morning he invited me to flying with him that afternoon.
I drove to the airport in the pick up and found him pre-flighting the Cherokee 140.
He showed me what he was checking and explained why he was checking the various points.
He then asked me to sit in the pilots position, he then proceeded to play instructor and demonstrated the start up, he then demonstrated the taxiing demonstrated the engine run up and checks prior to take off demonstrated checking for traffic in the circuit , demonstrated his radio call to the non existent tower controller , lined the Cherokee up and proceeded to do a take off asking me to place my hands and feet on the controls and follow his inputs (gently)
During this time I had no time to look outside was too busy listening and following through on the controls at altitude he removed his hands and feet from the controls and asked me to pick a point on the horizon place the nose of the aircraft on it and fly towards this point at a constant altitude and heading.
Sheesh easier said than done, was all over the place and really wrestling with the controls. He then told me to relax and things became a bit better after half an hour of this it was not so much of a challenge to fly at a constant height and remain pointed in the right direction. He then showed me how to trim the aircraft so that it would fly hands off.
Then he took over and did some steep turns and figure eights.
Soon it was time to head back to the airport and he took us back, did the landing and when the aircraft had slowed down to maybe 10 mph asked me to steer it with my feet.
He parked the aircraft and it’s only then that I realized I had not done any sight seeing and wonder of wonders I was sopping wet with sweat.
He took me along a few more ties and each time showed me something new.
Going away to boarding school put an end to the car driving and also to the flying until the next holidays.
Zambia in 1965 a year after Independence was a wonderful place to grow up in.
Sometime during my thirteenth year I had grown in height to over 5 feet 6inches.
A diddle was done and a friend of my father who had a transport company had to have his truck drivers Public Service licenses renewed every 6 months. So a plan was hatched whereby my driver’s application was inserted into this pile of paperwork he had to submit. It worked and I received my first official drivers license at age 13 except the date of birth part was not 100% accurate. I still have this driver’s license
I was thus able to do collections and deliveries for my father with the company pick up truck a newish Datsun 1 tonner with a Pipe rack overhead so that long pieces of steel could be transported.
During this time my father’s partner also completed his pilot’s license.
One morning he invited me to flying with him that afternoon.
I drove to the airport in the pick up and found him pre-flighting the Cherokee 140.
He showed me what he was checking and explained why he was checking the various points.
He then asked me to sit in the pilots position, he then proceeded to play instructor and demonstrated the start up, he then demonstrated the taxiing demonstrated the engine run up and checks prior to take off demonstrated checking for traffic in the circuit , demonstrated his radio call to the non existent tower controller , lined the Cherokee up and proceeded to do a take off asking me to place my hands and feet on the controls and follow his inputs (gently)
During this time I had no time to look outside was too busy listening and following through on the controls at altitude he removed his hands and feet from the controls and asked me to pick a point on the horizon place the nose of the aircraft on it and fly towards this point at a constant altitude and heading.
Sheesh easier said than done, was all over the place and really wrestling with the controls. He then told me to relax and things became a bit better after half an hour of this it was not so much of a challenge to fly at a constant height and remain pointed in the right direction. He then showed me how to trim the aircraft so that it would fly hands off.
Then he took over and did some steep turns and figure eights.
Soon it was time to head back to the airport and he took us back, did the landing and when the aircraft had slowed down to maybe 10 mph asked me to steer it with my feet.
He parked the aircraft and it’s only then that I realized I had not done any sight seeing and wonder of wonders I was sopping wet with sweat.
He took me along a few more ties and each time showed me something new.
Going away to boarding school put an end to the car driving and also to the flying until the next holidays.
Zambia in 1965 a year after Independence was a wonderful place to grow up in.
Model Aircraft.
I had been flying model airplanes for a few years but only control line models, the small ones made of plastic and with a small .049 Baby Bee engine.
They were easy to start easy to fly, well after the first few crashes and patch up jobs it became easy. I mixed my own glow fuel and bought all the ingredients from he local chemist.
I flew the aircraft on the empty sports fields that were available in our small mining town.
One day my father arrived home and said I should go and have a look in the car, boy was I surprised, jammed into the back of the Volkswagen Beetle was a BIG half build wooden control line model aircraft. The wood was balsa wood and all the bits that still had to be build were in a big colorful box with the magic name Stunt Queen on the front with a picture of the finished aircraft flying. It seemed to be doing 200mph just looking at the picture on the box.
It took me nearly 3 weeks of working every afternoon to complete the model and to mount the massive engine. The prop looked large enough to chop of my finger.
My best friends dad came over one evening and helped me sort out the final few items and to cover it. He also painted it for me.
Then it stood, mocking me because I was too scared to go fly this monster. I was 12 years old at this time. It took me a while to work up the courage to go fly it . One afternoon I was ready, the stunt Queen was ready so I carried it to the sports field and my brother carried the box with battery and Fuel and control cables.
The field was empty and I was grateful for that didn’t want to crash it on its first flight in front of a crowd.
We fueled he aircraft, my brother held it and I started it adjusted until the engine was running at full revs , then ran into the centre of the circle where the control handle lay on the grass picked it up and made sure that up gave up elevator and down gave down elevator.
The control lines were thin steel trace lines and they glinted in the sun , the engine was roaring and I signaled for my brother to let it go. Boy did it go and boy did it pull, it felt as if I had to lean back 45 degrees to prevent it pulling me over. After initial over control where I managed to prevent it diving into the ground It settled down to some steady super fast laps and I was praying for the fuel to run out after 12 laps but the engine was still giving its all
On Lap 15 or thereabouts the engine quit, the silence was deafening. and it glided around in a circle for 2 more laps before sinking low enough to do a real smooth landing.
It was only then that I noticed that a crowd of 6 or 7 cars had stopped and some people had been watching. My knobbly knees were knocking together but I was walking 10 feet tall with an idiotic grin plastered all over my face.
I flew her many more times and each time I flew her she made me look good.
They were easy to start easy to fly, well after the first few crashes and patch up jobs it became easy. I mixed my own glow fuel and bought all the ingredients from he local chemist.
I flew the aircraft on the empty sports fields that were available in our small mining town.
One day my father arrived home and said I should go and have a look in the car, boy was I surprised, jammed into the back of the Volkswagen Beetle was a BIG half build wooden control line model aircraft. The wood was balsa wood and all the bits that still had to be build were in a big colorful box with the magic name Stunt Queen on the front with a picture of the finished aircraft flying. It seemed to be doing 200mph just looking at the picture on the box.
It took me nearly 3 weeks of working every afternoon to complete the model and to mount the massive engine. The prop looked large enough to chop of my finger.
My best friends dad came over one evening and helped me sort out the final few items and to cover it. He also painted it for me.
Then it stood, mocking me because I was too scared to go fly this monster. I was 12 years old at this time. It took me a while to work up the courage to go fly it . One afternoon I was ready, the stunt Queen was ready so I carried it to the sports field and my brother carried the box with battery and Fuel and control cables.
The field was empty and I was grateful for that didn’t want to crash it on its first flight in front of a crowd.
We fueled he aircraft, my brother held it and I started it adjusted until the engine was running at full revs , then ran into the centre of the circle where the control handle lay on the grass picked it up and made sure that up gave up elevator and down gave down elevator.
The control lines were thin steel trace lines and they glinted in the sun , the engine was roaring and I signaled for my brother to let it go. Boy did it go and boy did it pull, it felt as if I had to lean back 45 degrees to prevent it pulling me over. After initial over control where I managed to prevent it diving into the ground It settled down to some steady super fast laps and I was praying for the fuel to run out after 12 laps but the engine was still giving its all
On Lap 15 or thereabouts the engine quit, the silence was deafening. and it glided around in a circle for 2 more laps before sinking low enough to do a real smooth landing.
It was only then that I noticed that a crowd of 6 or 7 cars had stopped and some people had been watching. My knobbly knees were knocking together but I was walking 10 feet tall with an idiotic grin plastered all over my face.
I flew her many more times and each time I flew her she made me look good.
THe First Time.
I can still remember the first time I was exposed to aviation, I was 8 years and my fathers’ business partner in Zambia announced that he was going to learn to fly.
He took me along to his second or third lesson. The aircraft was a Piper Cherokee 140 and had 4 seats. I was asked to sit in the back and they spend an awful long time flipping switches tapping dials muttering some weird words, then loud and clear one of them said “Prop Clear” and suddenly the engine started and the small cabin was full of noise, so the side door was closed.
The instructor then turned around and told me to fasten my seatbelt this I could not do so he had to undo his kneel on the front seat facing me and show me how. He wasn’t upset, just matter of fact.
My Fathers partner meantime just sat there waiting until I was secure.
The instructor then took of the plane and I was fascinated, I could hardly see out the side window but saw that we were rapidly getting higher and it was a wonderful feeling.
Soon the engine sound changed and the aircraft leveled off and I could now see ore ahead. As well as following parts of the lesson, turns one way then the other way demonstrated by the instructor then done by my father’s partner.
I thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of sitting so high above the ground and seeing clouds from close up and noticing that all on the ground seemed to be ant size.
All too soon the instructor muttered something into a microphone and the engine noise became even softer and the aircraft now seemed to be going down back to earth.
The landing was exiting and all remember is the gentle chirping of rubber as the wheels touched the runway and a rumbling noise was heard as the aircraft taxied back to the club house.
I was hooked and tried to tag along on every flying lesson that I was allowed to accompany.
The only stipulation my father had was that my homework from school had to be complete.
If I was not given a lift to the flying club I cycled the 6 odd miles and spend many happy afternoons just lazing about watching aircraft doing touch and goes and circuit work. There was a swimming pool at the club so managed to cool down when it became too hot.
Ah the memories of sunny afternoons in Zambia with the smell and sounds of aircraft
flying for me was as close to heaven as I could get.
He took me along to his second or third lesson. The aircraft was a Piper Cherokee 140 and had 4 seats. I was asked to sit in the back and they spend an awful long time flipping switches tapping dials muttering some weird words, then loud and clear one of them said “Prop Clear” and suddenly the engine started and the small cabin was full of noise, so the side door was closed.
The instructor then turned around and told me to fasten my seatbelt this I could not do so he had to undo his kneel on the front seat facing me and show me how. He wasn’t upset, just matter of fact.
My Fathers partner meantime just sat there waiting until I was secure.
The instructor then took of the plane and I was fascinated, I could hardly see out the side window but saw that we were rapidly getting higher and it was a wonderful feeling.
Soon the engine sound changed and the aircraft leveled off and I could now see ore ahead. As well as following parts of the lesson, turns one way then the other way demonstrated by the instructor then done by my father’s partner.
I thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of sitting so high above the ground and seeing clouds from close up and noticing that all on the ground seemed to be ant size.
All too soon the instructor muttered something into a microphone and the engine noise became even softer and the aircraft now seemed to be going down back to earth.
The landing was exiting and all remember is the gentle chirping of rubber as the wheels touched the runway and a rumbling noise was heard as the aircraft taxied back to the club house.
I was hooked and tried to tag along on every flying lesson that I was allowed to accompany.
The only stipulation my father had was that my homework from school had to be complete.
If I was not given a lift to the flying club I cycled the 6 odd miles and spend many happy afternoons just lazing about watching aircraft doing touch and goes and circuit work. There was a swimming pool at the club so managed to cool down when it became too hot.
Ah the memories of sunny afternoons in Zambia with the smell and sounds of aircraft
flying for me was as close to heaven as I could get.
I want to Fly
Aviation and flying has held a special facination for society for many decades.
Ancient Chinese writings talk about flying, the Bible even hints at flying machines,
Icarus in ancient Greek writings, Leonardo da Vinci wrote about flying machines,
Otto Lillienthal build and flew gliders down a hill.
Many countless people have since then had the dream and many end up building their own aircraft so as to be able to fly when the urge overtakes them.
Experimental aviation as defined in the USA and more or less followed by other countries allows private persons to build and fly their own Homebuild Aircraft. See the link below for a wealth of information.
http://www.eaa.org/
Commercial entities have designed tested and are marketing kits that are relatively easy to assemble. See the link below for more information .
http://www.kitplanes.com/
Learning to fly is advisable and even a requirement by law if you want to survive your firs flight. See link below for more information..
http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/
In future posts I will try to cover a subject that is very close to me , Building your own Aircraft in much greater detail.
Ancient Chinese writings talk about flying, the Bible even hints at flying machines,
Icarus in ancient Greek writings, Leonardo da Vinci wrote about flying machines,
Otto Lillienthal build and flew gliders down a hill.
Many countless people have since then had the dream and many end up building their own aircraft so as to be able to fly when the urge overtakes them.
Experimental aviation as defined in the USA and more or less followed by other countries allows private persons to build and fly their own Homebuild Aircraft. See the link below for a wealth of information.
http://www.eaa.org/
Commercial entities have designed tested and are marketing kits that are relatively easy to assemble. See the link below for more information .
http://www.kitplanes.com/
Learning to fly is advisable and even a requirement by law if you want to survive your firs flight. See link below for more information..
http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/
In future posts I will try to cover a subject that is very close to me , Building your own Aircraft in much greater detail.
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