Vippy Flies Again

[ron dunn]

Vippy, (my Volksplane VP1a) flew again last week after a few months off. I received my provisional registration late April last year and started the testing but came to a halt when we found that the prop was too course for my draggy old aircraft so ordered a new Brent Thompson unit. After a two month wait it arrived and we started again - only to come to a sudden stop with the mandatory control replacement.

 

Finished this a few weeks ago and can get back to flying the old dear again again and what a difference a few months make - When we started, temps were around 15 degrees. This gave me a climb rate of around 500 fmp. Now with temps around 30 degrees we are only seeing barely 400 odd.

 

Changing the 16600 Jab to a 2200 would make the world of difference but would also probably mean a divorce a I have spent for too much on the rebuild already.

 

That said, the VP1 is still a delightful plane to fly and a forgiving taildragger to land.

 

Cheers

 

Ron

 

 

[silvercity]

Why a mandatory control replacement Ron?

 

 

[ron dunn]

This is an AD out from CASA/RAA-us on all sleeved control cables over 15 years old and were to be replaced before next flight. The reason was possible corrosion in the sleeve and cable breaking away.

 

There were one or two deaths overseas due to this I am led to believe.

 

Cheers

 

 

[boingk]

Congratulations mate, good to hear she's running well and that you're enjoying her. Always thought the Volksplanes were nice looking little craft, real wind in the hair pioneering type of stuff.

 

Cheers! - boingk

 

 

[ron dunn]

Yes- they are a nice little puddle jumper with only 2.5 hours range at around 75 knots. Mind you due to the hardish and upright seating, about an hour and a half is enough for a good stretch.

 

Not so much wind in the face with this one though as it was built with a full width windscreen and a tubular rear roll cage, so I have fitted a side opening canopy.

 

Wind free and quite quiet with the little Jab engine up front.

 

Cheers

 

Ron

 

 

[MD Edwards]

Vippy, (my Volksplane VP1a) flew again last week after a few months off. I received my provisional registration late April last year and started the testing but came to a halt when we found that the prop was too course for my draggy old aircraft so ordered a new Brent Thompson unit. After a two month wait it arrived and we started again - only to come to a sudden stop with the mandatory control replacement.Finished this a few weeks ago and can get back to flying the old dear again again and what a difference a few months make - When we started, temps were around 15 degrees. This gave me a climb rate of around 500 fmp. Now with temps around 30 degrees we are only seeing barely 400 odd.

Changing the 16600 Jab to a 2200 would make the world of difference but would also probably mean a divorce a I have spent for too much on the rebuild already.

 

That said, the VP1 is still a delightful plane to fly and a forgiving taildragger to land.

 

Cheers

 

Ron

Good evening Ron, it has been a long while since I have caught up with you, sounds like the VP1 is a great plane to fly. I'm assuming you remeber who I am. Mark Edwards Darke Peak and yep still flying around in Terry's Jabiru, nearly a 1000 hours on it now and going well.

Bye for now.

 

Mark

 

 

[ron dunn]

Hello mark,

 

Good to hear you are still flying. The VP1 is a nice little puddle jumper. I have the plane at Port Augusta old gliding which is now 'Port Augusta flying club''

 

No gliders there now but around 8 RAA-us aircraft and 1 Cessna 180.

 

I fly a mates Jabiru 120 for fuel cost if I need to carry passengers or do the odd cross country.

 

Cheers

 

Ron Dunn