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What ultralight?

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davecove
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 3:07 pm Post subject: What ultralight?

My wife has given a provisional 'green light' to the idea of building His & Hers ultralights. She has passed the PPL written test twice, but has never finished her practical. She is actually a natural-born pilot.



While she would be OK with a trikes, I am more picky and have an eye towards a plans built LSA once these are done. What I would love to do is plans build a pair of fixed wing ultralights for the experience, and to act as pacifiers while we wait on me to finish the LSA.



So, can anyone recommend a design that has these features:

1) Ultralight

2) Plans built (plans do not have to be free, I'll buy the plans for the right design)

3) Fixed wing

4) 'Classic' looks (like a WWI plane, ie Texas Parasol, etc)

5) STOL (300' TOR and Landing)

6) 500lb gross

7) Reasonably active user group



Material does not matter. Wood/metal/compost are all OK.



Thank you in advance,

Dave

John Bolding

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 281

Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 12:41 am Post subject: What ultralight?

I'm somewhat biased but you might have a look at www.betterhalfvw.com 

(Legal Eagle) gets off in 150'. thousand guys on our yahoo group and 75+ 

examples flying.

Plans built and has has the "look"



LO&SLO



John

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flypoker(at)windstream.ne
Guest

Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 2:47 am Post subject: What ultralight?

If by ultralight, you mean 103 legal. Then you are very limited.  I like the 

looks of the  Hi Max, never owned one but I like the looks of them. There is 

a large support net work for them.  The legal eagle is another option or the 

air bike. Tiger cub is another, but again probably not legal.



I didn't reply to make a sales pitch, but I have two firestars for sale, one 

built and flying with N# the other still in kit form.

Jerry

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wayne(at)taildraggersinc.
Guest

Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 2:59 am Post subject: What ultralight?

Last I checked, the Hi-MAX wasn't Part 103 legal.



I always liked the Aerodrome Airplanes Dream Classic.  It looks like a Demoiselle.



Wayne Bressler

Taildraggers, Inc.

www.taildraggersinc.com



On May 1, 2011, at 6:44 AM, "Jerry Deckard" <flypoker(at)windstream.net> wrote:



[quote] 

 

 If by ultralight, you mean 103 legal. Then you are very limited.  I like the looks of the  Hi Max, never owned one but I like the looks of them. There is a large support net work for them.  The legal eagle is another option or the air bike. Tiger cub is another, but again probably not legal.

 

 I didn't reply to make a sales pitch, but I have two firestars for sale, one built and flying with N# the other still in kit form.

 Jerry

 ---

flypoker(at)windstream.ne
Guest

Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 3:22 am Post subject: What ultralight?

You're right about Hi Max. I think faster than I type. That was my thoughts 

when typing, but didn't come out that way.



Jerry

---

davecove
Guest

Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 4:43 am Post subject: Re: What ultralight?

John, I notice that the better half VW is direct drive and rated at 30hp (at) 3400 rpm...  isn't that a bit high for a prop? Or do you just choose a prop with shorter blades to keep the tip speed subsonic?



Dave

John Bolding

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 281

Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 5:31 am Post subject: What ultralight?

Dave,  The full case VW can be built in any hp configuration that the cut 

case can, all the way from 90.5x69 to 94x82.

The full case ends up the same weight as the cut case due to engine mount, 

oil cooler ect.



Most of the legal Eagle guys use 92x69 which spins a 54x20 prop about 3100 

static.

The stroker cranks DO give more power at the rpms we are looking for.

Some offset grind the cranks for Chevy journals , gives about 76mm stroke 

with no welding on the journals. Lots of choices on Chevy rods, titanium 

even.



John

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davecove
Guest

Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: What ultralight?

So, could you realistically swing a 54x20 prop at around 4100 if you had enough hp?  (Do I calc correctly that a 54" prop at 4060rpm is 85% mach and is thus OK?)



Dave

John Bolding

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 281

Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 3:29 am Post subject: What ultralight?

Why would you want to do that?  if you have more hp get more pitch or a 

longer prop.



JB



---

wayne(at)taildraggersinc.
Guest

Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 3:52 am Post subject: What ultralight?

The longer the prop, the better.  Slower RPM's are more desirable for prop performance, yes?



Wayne Bressler

Taildraggers, Inc.

www.taildraggersinc.com



On May 2, 2011, at 7:24 AM, "John Bolding" <jnbolding1(at)teleshare.net> wrote:



[quote] 

 

 Why would you want to do that?  if you have more hp get more pitch or a longer prop.

 

 JB

 

 ---

davecove
Guest

Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 7:10 am Post subject: Re: What ultralight?

Why? Only because a certain engine (not the vw) develops its best hp at that rpm.



So what I seem to be learning is this...  if the ground clearance only allows for a 54" prop, you could use 4100rpm (best hp for a certain engine) because the tips don't go over .85 mach, but it isn't very efficient prop-wise. So while you get more hp out of the engine, less of it makes it to the air. It might be better to turn the engine and prop at 3500 and while you get lower hp, more makes it into the air.



Better might be to let the engine run 4100 and use a PSRU to get the prop down to 2500... unless the weight of the PSRU eats all the gains made by moving the prop from 4100 down to 2500.



I think I am beginning to see what all the discussion is about...  finding that balance.



Dave

Larry Vetter

Joined: 03 Dec 2009
Posts: 35
Location: Manson,Iowa

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: What ultralight?

The TEAM/ISON/JDT line of light planes includes a couple ultralight versions and a very large group of supporters( East Tennessee Lonesome Buzzards)

 Can be built from plans only or mini kits or full kit. also a few around for sale already built.

 Nice airplane with good flying characteristics, and a good safety record.

 Larry

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