Deskpilot

Very nice Paul, and Adelaide is, of coarse, the best of all state capitals. Doug

Let me know when you intend to come Paul. We'll make it a date. Out of interest, club site is www.aldingaaeroclub.org.au You will need wheels to go anywhere from the field. Beware of the vine poles on take-off and landing, one of the reasons why I prefer to fly out of Murray Bridge.

Cheers, Doug

My God, got finger trouble today. Try http://www.goolwaairport.com.au

sorry, should be goolwaairport.com.au

Also try http://www.goolwaairsport.com.au

You're right Chris, but I'm looking for a closer private strip. I've looked on Google Earth but the area just south of Normanville hasn't been scanned on my version, so I have a friend who has flown the area often looking for a disc that has private strips listed.

I'm a member of the Aldinga Flying Club and you'd be most welcome to drop by. We do have a web site but it's recently been 'upgraded' and I'm having trouble accessing it.The airfield is well used and maintained by Martyn Smith and his family. They also operate http://www.Adelaidebiplanes.com.au

Goolwa is much quieter except at the weekend when the sky divers move in, not sure if there's a web site. Goolwa is a really beautiful town near the mouth of the River Murray, well worth visiting.

I'll get back to you when I receive further info.

Regards, Doug

Hi Paul,

Normanville is a bit south of me in some lovely hilly country. Not sure what strips are down there but I'll do a bit of searching and get back to you. Doug

Welcome, and good on ya Jim. I was 63 when I started flying and now happily fly a Jab with many oldies who have missed the chance. Enjoy, my friend, enjoy. Doug

Hi guys, oh, and gals now:big_grin: welcome one and all.

Do the right thing and avoid this sort of stuff up. Bet he learns from this one.

http://clipaday.com/videos/seaplane-landing-goes-wrong

safe flying, Doug

Yep, seen all those, cool flying indeed, but when needs must.......

Doug

Hi Guys, how about this for an unusual, and possibly difficult strip to fly into, literally. Enjoy

Good on ya Yenn. Let's all remember though, this is a design to tempt others into the world of 'ultralight' ugh, recreational flying and building, or visa versa. As has already been stated, we all have our wish list but that's not the point of the exercise. Remember KISS, don't come up with something radical such as cunards, they'll more likely scare others away. Easy build is probably the main factor to keep in mind, so only basic curves, if any. But there again, not a flying brick.

Perhaps first decision should be high or low wing and why. Irrespective of whether you agree or not, we go with the majority vote. Let keep personal build methods prferences out of it for the time being.

One type special

Whilest we all have our favourite style and build criteria, lets go back to Yenns concept of a Recreational Flying Special that could be built by any handyman, without any specilised trade abilities and only the basic tools. Something that can be built under a single carport and won't cost an arm and a leg. Something that can be built rapidly enough not to put potential builders off half way through the build. I believe in the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) so lets come up with some lists of what we think would entice nonfliers to think, and believe, 'I can do that'.

I'll kick it off if you like;

Single seat

Tricycle undercarriage

Air cooled 75hp max, tractor configuration

High wing (Detatchable?)

Flaps or flapperons

Cockpit enclosure optional ie, doors or canopy

Minimal instuments

Minimalist, but steamlined fusealage (not open framework)

Max cruise speed - 80 knots? maybe higher

Anything else that descibes the type of a/c

That's a start. We can move onto the preferred build method once the style of the a/c has been ageed to. Yenn, as it's your project, you can collate everybodies ideas, I'm sure you'd love to do that, wouldn't you? If not, we need a volanteer. Looking forward to your lists ladies & gentleman.

Please excuse any spelling mistakes, Doug

\]

Facthunter, I'm well aware of your point and that is why one needs Bills dvd info so that if small mods are needed to correct the down sizing, it can be done before and materials are cut. Flying surfaces may well need to be modified to keep the plane safe, but the overall impression may still be maintained. Doug

Top topic guys and a very important one if we are to keep flying within the reach of Mr Average. I certainly don't have the $$$$ to buy a plastic fantstic so to design and build something the I want is my goal. I bought Bill's dvd set and that is certainly the start. However, I can hire a Jabiru very cheaply for shared flying, by that I mean a passenger, so my desire is to build a scaled, replica fighter using the wood, foam and fibreglas method. A fun plane, something radically different. My dream would be a Westland Wyvern but there are a few problems, contra rotating props being the biggest herdle. But more of that later, maybe. Assuming that I got the ok, and Bills dvd's provided all the design checks needed as proof of concept etc, I'm then faced with the phyical side of building it. Where in Australia do I find anybody who has experience in using this method of construction? How do I go about the actual structural design and who can give guidance on the rights and wrongs of the practical side of things. I have many idea's but will they work? are they safe? will they cost too much etc etc. At the moment I can but dream.

On a more down to earth level, low and slow obviously appeals to a lot of people and I believe there are those in our community who have the ability to design and build updated versions of older ultalight aircraft. This area of flying needs to be kept alive and encouraged, particularly with the younger set(late teens-early 20's) I say this as an alternative to fast cars and the 'I'm invinsible' mind set. Flying teaches disiplin and to fly your own design is the only way to get high, excuse the double pun, it's intended. Let's keep this topic going my friends, let's kick start the revolution here in Oz. Safe flying every body, Doug

When you have a monopoly, you can do as you damm well please, I guess. Down here in SA, all prices are up for this holiday long weekend, irrespective of oil company.

You can afford a new plane AND shares. Lucky you ;-)

Stay with the red Rob, I think you'll be dissappointed with black in the long run. She is after all, the Ferrari of the skies, isn't she? In what way is she 'tempremental'? I've not heard of any adverse comments before.

Safe flying, Doug

Ross, sorry to have swapped sides but let me attempt to explain in more detail. The plane moves forward a fraction, at a given rate. The conveyor reacts by moving in the opposite direction at the same rate. The wheels revolve but the plane is not pushed back to its original point because the thrush won't allow it, the conveyor just moves under it. The plane moves forward again. the conveyor react, the wheels turn but again the plane connot be pushed back due to the freely revolving wheels. Now, the plane moves again and so on. Its speed increases, as does the conveyor and the wheels turn faster. At no time can the plane be pushed backwards by the conveyor because there's no fixed, mechanical connection between the conveyor and the plane. The wheels are only holding the plane off its fixed axiles.Eventually the plane has enough speed to take off. I hope this helps. Doug

oops, sorry, double posted Doug

Back to the original question. I don't often say this but I was wrong.:confused: Of coarse it can take off, and the wheels will rotate a lot faster than normal. In fact it's because it has free spinning wheels that make it possible. They are the interface, the oil if you like, between the plane and the conveyor. If it were a car where the wheels are driven, then it would stay where it is as on a Dyno test rig, or the same as a person running on a frictionless, unpowered tread mill. With the plane, the prop pushes or pulls the plane forward, the runway speeds up to the equal and opposite speed and the wheels take up the difference by rotating twice as fast as normal. The old grey matter takes its time nowadays but gets there in the end.:big_grin: Well done to those who got it right first time.

Now, about that bolt falling out of your main wheel..............

Back to the original question. I don't often say this but I was wrong.:confused: Of coarse it can take off, and the wheels will rotate a lot faster than normal. In fact it's because it has free spinning wheels that make it possible. They are the interface, the oil if you like, between the plane and the conveyor. If it were a car where the wheels are driven, then it would stay where it is as on a Dyno test rig, or the same as a person running on a frictionless, unpowered tread mill. With the plane, the prop pushes or pulls the plane forward, the runway speeds up to the equal and opposite speed and the wheels take up the difference by rotating twice as fast as normal. The old grey matter takes its time nowadays but gets there in the end.:big_grin: Well done to those who got it right first time.

Now, about that bolt falling out of your main wheel..............

Hi guys, I have to agree with Ross. Prop wash over a relativly small part of the wings, does not generate sufficient lift for the plane to fly. If it did, we'd see this happening every time we do a full power, static, engine test. Can you imagine it. A plane tethered to a tree and hovering three feet off the ground. Only in comics my friends. As for wheel speed, bear friction, parasitic drag and any other form of speed reducing characteristics, not an issue as the conveyor belt is controlled to the aircraft air/ground speed (zero in both cases) Given sufficient head wind, then yes, the a/c might get airbourne, but that in not in this equation. Well done Nomad for raising such an interesting topic. Cheers, Doug

Hi Kaz, you're too good to be true.;) Will you marry me:;)5: :big_grin: My other half won't fly with me as she says "I'm not scared of going with you but I hate spewing up" :yuk: As if I want her to. Keep up the the good work and the banter, it's refreshing, especially from a lady. Doug

It's probably my fault but I've got no photo's, no thumbnails. Doug

Congratulations, well done and keep up the good work. Doug