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Author Topic: Airplane update  (Read 1521 times)

Offline indy007

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Airplane update
« Reply #15 on: June 22, 2006, 02:51:02 PM »
When all else fails...

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Offline Debonair

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« Reply #16 on: June 22, 2006, 03:13:11 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by moneyguy
id buy it. anything that flies is cool  :aok


on the right, AOPA boss Phil Boyer

cool?
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Offline ChickenHawk

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« Reply #17 on: June 22, 2006, 03:18:31 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by indy007
When all else fails...



Don't forget your pellet gun for the decent.
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Offline indy007

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Airplane update
« Reply #18 on: June 22, 2006, 03:20:18 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by ChickenHawk
Don't forget your pellet gun for the decent.


or a pointy stick! :aok :aok :aok
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Offline eskimo2

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« Reply #19 on: June 22, 2006, 03:41:51 PM »
YOU'LL SHOOT YOU EYE OUT WITH THAT PLANE...
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Offline Chairboy

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« Reply #20 on: June 22, 2006, 04:31:37 PM »
The plane is $3,900.  The A&P requirements do not exist as it is currently an ultralight.  Once I add an ELT, do some paperwork, and have one of the A&Ps or the DAR in my EAA chapter give it a once over, I'll register it as an E-LSA (Experimental Light Sport Aircraft).  I'll have an N-Number and everything.  I'll attend the appropriate 16 hour course to get my repairmans certificate (this is something that E-LSAs can do, but ya can't do with normal experimental aircraft) and will be able to sign off on the annual myself, but I'll still get a second pair of eyes involved as a backup.  Never proofread your own writing.

Interestingly, it's _not_ hand propped, not technically.  There's a pull cable (like a lawnmower) sticking out of the floorboard/firewall between the rudder pedals.  You preflight, strap yourself in with seatbelts, turn on the ignition, yell 'clear!' and pull the cable.  

Regarding the no brakes thing, I'll be watching that carefully.  The seller and a few other Rans owners online say that the plane is very draggy and very controllable even without brakes, but if I don't believe 'em after trying it on a wide runway, then I'll retrofit something appropriate.  

I'm looking to buy a handheld, anyone have one they want to sell?  I'm super interested in the Icom A5 Sport or A6 Sport (or their VOR capable doppelgangers), but I'm all ears on other radios y'all recommend.  I'm not going to be a toy kite clogging up the airport, I'm comfortable using the airways/ATC system and I don't intend to suddenly get radio shy now that I'm in a non-electric plane.

I might be able to go get it this weekend if things work out, I'll let y'all know what happens!
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Offline Thrawn

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« Reply #21 on: June 22, 2006, 04:49:43 PM »
C1
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Offline StarOfAfrica2

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« Reply #22 on: June 22, 2006, 04:58:00 PM »
Chairboy, that is very similar to my old Ultralight.  As Habu recommended, I'd look into an engine upgrade.  The one in it is ......... adequate.  Barely.  How much do you weigh?  I was 185-195 lbs when I was flying, and I was close to the limit.  Makes for some sluggish climbs and maneuvering.  The 503 I put in mine was about an extra 10HP I think, and it made a world of difference.  They made a bigger one yet, cant remember the number on that one.  After that you have to step up to 4 strokes.  

I'd still be flying one today if I werent so dang fat now.  And the fact that I worry about the winds here.  Small planes have enough trouble with the wind and crashing, I can just imagine what 40-50mph gusts would do to an Ultralight.  I'd make you a great deal on my old one, only I'm afraid after sitting this long the wing fabric is going to be junk and I'm sure the engine needs rebuilt.  Its been in storage in a barn for going on 10 years now.  Plus I dont think you want to drive all the way to Illinois to pick it up lol.  :)
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Offline Golfer

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« Reply #23 on: June 22, 2006, 05:41:28 PM »
I won't be saying anything other than can I be listed as the beneficiary of your insurance policy?

The only fixed wing ultralights I've flown were the Challenger/Challenger II.  Between all 4 models (1 & 2 seats with the long and clipped wings) and a couple powered parachutes I only have maybe 20 hours in ultralight airplanes.  Personally I wouldn't be one to touch that airplane with a 10-1/2 foot pole.  I'd buy an Aeronca Chief and hire a good instructor to teach me how to fly it if I were you.  But I'm not and that's why the EAA thrives :)
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Offline Hangtime

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« Reply #24 on: June 22, 2006, 05:58:47 PM »
hangs formula for light weight aircraft.

wind shear+lack of horsepower=dead

...does not matter how hot yer pilot poo is.

wind shear+lack of horsepower=dead

cute plane though. I'd never get in it unless it could paylod double my weight and climb at better than 500fpm. (a cub can do 450fpm)
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Offline Habu

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« Reply #25 on: June 22, 2006, 06:13:38 PM »
The next engine up from the 503 is the 582. It is liquid cooled and weighs more but it is a nice engine as well. More money.

My trike has a 912 S on it. Climbs at better than 2000fpm for the first few thousand feet.
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Offline StarOfAfrica2

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« Reply #26 on: June 22, 2006, 07:00:41 PM »
Ah yes, 582 it is.  I didnt know it was liquid cooled though, good thing I didnt buy that one lol.  Would have been a short first flight.   :)  

Have to agree with Hang.  That little 40hp just aint enough if you get into any wind.  A good friend of my family died that way.  He came around for a landing and a wind shear caught him, pushed him down into powerlines.  Of course, he wasnt electrocuted.  The powerlines took his tail section off and he went straight into the ground.
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Offline Chairboy

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« Reply #27 on: June 22, 2006, 07:06:52 PM »
Well, the official factory lies-uh, er, specs are here:

http://www.rans.com/s4spec.html

At gross, 700fpm with this engine combination.  I expect a bit less, but if it's within an order of magnitude, that doesn't sound half bad.

Clean stall, 31mph.  Cruise 60-65mph.  100ft takeoff roll, not bad.  The 6:1 glide ratio is an attention getter, definately not a glass plane.  Of course, with a 27mph stall w/ flaps, those 2-stroke unexpected landings sound pretty survivable with a little planning/smart decision making.

The 447 is so dang light, I'm concerned that a bigger engine would take me way over gross.  The 503 is only 5hp stronger but adds 10lbs.  Going up to the 582 or revmasters mean even more weight.

Horsepower is definately smart for windy situations, but there's no replacement for inertial displacement (eg, mass).  A light plane like this will not handle gusts quite as well as, say, a fifteen hundred pound loaded 152!
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Offline moneyguy

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« Reply #28 on: June 22, 2006, 07:59:21 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Debonair
on the right, AOPA boss Phil Boyer

cool?



im not sure i follow what your trying to say  :confused:
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Offline Chairboy

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« Reply #29 on: June 22, 2006, 08:18:21 PM »
He's saying that Phil Boyer isn't cool, challenging the assertion that anything that flies is cool (since Boyer is a pilot).
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