Tail Dragger

[VonMessa]

Unsafe? Of course.....

Illegal?  Without knowing the specifics of the a/c in question, I can't say.

If operating within the scope of part 103 rules he is well within his rights.

If he doesn't have a decent A/P tech look at it first after that crash, he is well out of his head.

[VonMessa]

PS:

Can you ask him to add me to his will?

I'll take the Rotax, please (if there is anything left of it) 

[Cougar68]

LOL Serenity, You sound like somebody I knew once, long ago.. He was an Schoolboy Butterbar too, still drippin with oil.. One night, some 35 odd yrs ago, he ran his arrogant flappin mouth to the wrong group of drunk Marines..  The poor selfimpressed boy was stuffed inside a barrack wall locker, and then the locker was thrown out a 3rd story window... I had to testify at the court marshal!
LOL, I still laugh about that, LOL!  You may be mighty impressed with yourself right now, but you've still got alot to learn kiddo!
There are ppl out there in the big bad world, who will gladly remind you of your place in life..  Carefull, 3 stories is a long way down from your exalted perch in your "realm", lol!  Oh yes, by the way, he didn't die, but I wonder if he is still enjoying his wheelchair life..

He was trying to tell you help you understand why those with experience are saying he's going to get himself killed.  Then you throw up this mess and say he's the one on a three story exalted perch? 

What question would you like answered?

[CHAPPY]

 

[Dragon]

What question would you like answered?

I think he wants an answer to this one.

I asked what else?   Ya make snide remarks, but haven't answered.. WHAT ELSE?

RC

 

[RTR]

Here:

Sec. 103.1 - Applicability.
This part prescribes rules governing the operation of ultralight vehicles in the United States. For the purposes of this part, an ultralight vehicle is a vehicle that:
(a) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant;
(b) Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only;
(c) Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and
(d) If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds; or
(e) If powered:
(1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;
(2) Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S. gallons;
(3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and
(4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed.


I seriously doubt that this aircraft meets the requirements for empty weight. The engine requirements alone look to be 75 to 100 lbs. That leaves a whopping 154 lbs for the remainder of the aircraft. My bet is this aircraft weighs closer to the 325-350 mark.

I call BS on it being in the ultra-light category.

Stand over there with the other Darwin Award Candidates please.

RTR

[VonMessa]

Could make weight if it is Tube/Rag.

Rotax 277 (27-30hp) is ~ 65 pounds

Rotax 377 (35hp) ~ 85 pounds

1/2 VW engine is more toward the 80-90 pound mark.'

Looks more like a Rotax to me.

I would advise you to steer clear of this idiot and give your local constabulary a call.

Constabulary?

You'll confuse the Americans ...............    

[VonMessa]

Muscle memory for airplanes can certainly be taught.  You go up with an instructor and he/she keeps you from killing yourself while you're learning.  Would you have taken a twitchy motorcycle out in the middle of a race for your first ever ride?  Would you race a bike that's been repaired by someone who has never even worked on one before?  The risks aren't even close to being similar.  The potential for catostrophe for himself and others is much greater when you talking about taking an airplane up without any training.  Just do a search on here for Chairboy's experience trying to fly an ultralight taildragger with no training.  And keep in mind while you read it that he even had his PPL already.  Taildraggers, even ultralight taildraggers, can be twitchy buggers if you don't know what you're doing. 

There is a marked difference between flying an ulrta-light, a LSA (light sport) and any other aircraft requiring a PPL.

If there wasn't, there would be a "one size fits all" certification.

There is not...........

[VonMessa]

I think i will call the FAA on this one. 

Which haystack would you like them to search first?

[2Niner]

In accordance with FAR's part 103.  If that plane weights more then 254 lbs empty weight it's not a ultralight.  period.

There are other qualifying rules under part 103 such as fuel capacity,calibrated air speed in level flight and stall speed that must be met.

Looking at the plane. It appears to look similar to a mini-max.  I say similar because a mini-max is of wood construction and from the pictures it appears there is a combination of wood, tubing and fabric.  it could be built from plans.

As for the owner trying to fly it.  He should get instructions in a 2 seat aircraft with similar flight characteristics before trying to fly it.

[RTR]

Could make weight if it is Tube/Rag.

Rotax 277 (27-30hp) is ~ 65 pounds

Rotax 377 (35hp) ~ 85 pounds

1/2 VW engine is more toward the 80-90 pound mark.'

Looks more like a Rotax to me.

Constabulary?

You'll confuse the Americans ...............    

(Image removed from quote.)

It looks to me that the forward part of the fuselage is wood. The aft section and empennage may be truss and fabric, I don't know. Although the wings and tail don't look fabric covered, but that could just be the quality of the pics.

At any rate, I still doubt this thing weighs in under 300 lbs.

Just my educated guess.

RTR

[2Niner]

I agree with you RTR in all respects.

[RTR]

Just visited the mini max web site.

If the engine in that thing is a Hirth F-33 it may be just under 254 lbs and would fit in the ultralight category.  However, if that is a Rotax engine, it isn't going to qualify as an ultra light as the empty weight for the mini max models with the Rotax are over the weight limit.

At any rate, not knowing what it really is, I suspect this whole scenario will provide some entertaining reading if he ever gets it fixed.

*edit* Never mind, it is a Rotax engine.

I'll stick with my previous posts.

RTR

[VonMessa]

In accordance with FAR's part 103.  If that plane weights more then 254 lbs empty weight it's not a ultralight.  period.

There are other qualifying rules under part 103 such as fuel capacity,calibrated air speed in level flight and stall speed that must be met.

Looking at the plane. It appears to look similar to a mini-max.  I say similar because a mini-max is of wood construction and from the pictures it appears there is a combination of wood, tubing and fabric.  it could be built from plans.

As for the owner trying to fly it.  He should get instructions in a 2 seat aircraft with similar flight characteristics before trying to fly it.

Thanks for jumping in here and regurgitating (partially)  what someone else has posted.

Here:

Sec. 103.1 - Applicability.
This part prescribes rules governing the operation of ultralight vehicles in the United States. For the purposes of this part, an ultralight vehicle is a vehicle that:
(a) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant;
(b) Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only;
(c) Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and
(d) If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds; or
(e) If powered:
(1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;
(2) Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S. gallons;
(3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and
(4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed.


I seriously doubt that this aircraft meets the requirements for empty weight. The engine requirements alone look to be 75 to 100 lbs. That leaves a whopping 154 lbs for the remainder of the aircraft. My bet is this aircraft weighs closer to the 325-350 mark.

I call BS on it being in the ultra-light category.

Stand over there with the other Darwin Award Candidates please.

RTR

At least you did not waste any paper (but you probably inconvenienced a few electrons)

It looks to me that the forward part of the fuselage is wood. The aft section and empennage may be truss and fabric, I don't know. Although the wings and tail don't look fabric covered, but that could just be the quality of the pics.

At any rate, I still doubt this thing weighs in under 300 lbs.

Just my educated guess.

RTR

I'm sure you are correct.

But, if he IS compliant, there aren't any laws against stupidity.

God bless America..  

[VonMessa]

Just visited the mini max web site.

If the engine in that thing is a Hirth F-33 it may be just under 254 lbs and would fit in the ultralight category.  However, if that is a Rotax engine, it isn't going to qualify as an ultra light as the empty weight for the mini max models with the Rotax are over the weight limit.

At any rate, not knowing what it really is, I suspect this whole scenario will provide some entertaining reading if he ever gets it fixed.

RTR

Waiting for the film.