beckd

These are specs that came with the plans for the Whisky IV - with a 80HP VW engine (my conversions from lb and mph).:-Empty weight = 282kg

MTOW = 480kg

 

Max horizontal speed 140knots, Cruising at 75% 113kts

 

Stall 37kts,

 

Wing loading 42.9kg/m2

 

This means it will not fit into the Australian CAO 95-10 (no limit on number or type of engines; 300kg MTOW, 55kts, stall 45kts, wing loading 30kg/m2) registration 10-, without modification.

 

It will fit into the 19- category CAO 95-55 (Max 1 engine, 1 propeller, 2 seat; 544kg MTOW, 45kt stall, wing loading 65kg/m2 - taken from CAO 101.28 non certified engine, 6% flap area)

 

As to the question of retracts - the earlier literature that I read seemed to indicate that retractable undercarriage was only available to seaplanes. But I note that in the RAA "Pre-flight Final Inspection" form does mention retractable landing gear and there is an endorsement for it. I can't find the article I read.

 

On this site is an explanation of the RAA aircraft registration categories. Under Resources - Tutorials - Sport Aviation Legislative Framework. Or click here: http://www.recreationalflying.com/tutorials/regulations/regulations.html. I would love a simple table of what is in/out for each category. The 544kg or 600kg seems confusing with the Tech Manual, CAOs and articles all reading different.

 

I hope someone can complete a Whisky IV and show us what we are missing.

 

Sue

Thanks

Hi BeckdI got the Whiskey IV plans out again. The canopy is 3mm plexiglass with a full sized template for the front curve (you have to work out the back and sides yourself). It is embedded in the fuse construction plans so you can't lay it out to cut. There are no suppliers listed so I guess if you can't do it yourself you do the measurements and take it to someone who can. There are 24 sheets in the Plans - eleven are 1:1 scale, the rest are 1:5, 1:10 or NS. Few dimensions; so you have to scale it for yourself or measure & calculate.

One of the sheets is "Construction Instructions" with a few drawings on good, difficult & passable ply joins & glue joints, a wing jig & table dimensions (5800 x 800mm) and the following text:

 

Construct a table to measurements indicated

 

Build the two fuselage sides and frames 1-2-3

 

Build the wing main spar caps shown full size on the assembly drawing

 

Build the ribs of the wing, vertical and horizontal tail

 

Build the ribs of rear spar - flaps and aileron spars and the tail spars

 

Assemble the fuselage

 

Assemble the tail surfaces

 

Assemble the wing

 

That's about as much instruction as you get, apart from notes on the plans eg "use only AN or MS hardware" "TIG weld only"

 

There are builders working from these plans, so if you decide to go ahead there are people who have gone before you and may have the answers.

 

Sue

thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question. I consider myself to be handy in my workshop- but when it comes to building a plane, I want just a "tad" more instruction than these plans offer !

Thanks again !!!

The plans are not for the faint hearted. We decided not to build because the maximum take-off weight is lower than we wanted. In Australia retractable undercarriage can't go into the ultralight category so it requires a PPL to fly, which was another consideration. You need to study the plans thoroughly. There is no instructions on where to start, the process to follow, or exact materials to use. A lot of it is left up to you, including selection and use of tools and working out how to achieve the end product. If you have experience building it will be easier. The finished aircraft as an impressive look. It is mainly wood and birch ply with a few parts in chrome-moly, flaps, ailerons and rudder are dacron covered. The usual engine is a VW 80HP, wooden propeller, 50 litres (in 2 tanks), dual controls, tandem seating.

 

Sue

thanks for the information about the plan's ,it is too bad that they are not builder friendly because it is such a great looking aircraft. Did the information you recieved say anything about where you can purchase the canopy, cowling ?

And were there any full size templates ?

Thanks

Hi Mark,The plans are 'blueprints' with about 30 pages of different sizes. Very few notes but most are in English as well as Italian. Very little instruction - it is up to the builder to work out the sequence and method. There were a few mistakes but other builders have pointed them out for us. There is a manual with some construction and maintenance for the completed aircraft. We have been sent some pictures of aircraft under construction. We have not started - still thinking and looking at materials and suppliers.

Any more you want to know - ask and we'll see what we have.

 

Sue

how is the building of your Asso Whisky going ? I am considering buying the plans and would like your opinion of them.

Thanks