So, where does one start when building an airplane?
The answer changes from person to person. The kernel of inspiration to build an airplane was there, as I mentioned in the last post, from the time and effort it took to build the Spirit. But what plane?
I looked at the trusty Pietenpol, but the size of the cockpits and the useful load left me wanting for something more. I looked at the Double Eagle and the Airbike, but my girlfriend didn't like how open they were. Finally, I made a list of what I thought I wanted in an airplane, reproduced here.
-High wing monoplane (biplanes mean building 4 wings)
-Taildragger w/tailwheel
-Fabric wings and stab.
-Aluminum tube or wood construction, maybe steel
-Inexpensive to build
-Inexpensive to operate
-Single carb engine.
-Aircooled?
-Two seats
-Mostly enclosed cockpit (not a breezy)
-minimal systems
-AOA/reserve lift guage
-Amphibious a plus
The Corben Junior Ace met almost all of these criteria. In time I bought a set of plans from a guy who wasn't going to be able to build his plane. I hope to give them a second life.
So, I've got plans, now what?
I had a copy made of the plans to work from while keeping the aging originals in good condition. Then I began to pour over them. Well, that's not entirely true. At first I was a little afraid of damaging them, so I babied them a bit. With that adjustment period over, I dived in.
I started on the rib jig and ordered materials from Aircraft Spruce for the 26 ribs that will make up the airfoil of my Junior Ace. Material arrived, but I had to go deliver a boat before they all got in. This delayed work, but provided me with a unique opportunity.
At the end of the delivery I was going to visit my parents' new home. It turns out that the Ace "factory" is only 2 hours from their new house. Dad and I took a day and made a road trip of it. We had the opportunity to meet the company's current owner/builder Bill Wood. We both sat in a Junior Ace and realized they are quite narrow. This prompted at trip to the "skunk works" in the back room of the hangar to look at the new project, a 42" wide, lengthened Junior Ace.
Dad and I discussed the ramifications of this on my plane. We could barely fit in a standard Jr side by side, and our knees bashed the instrument panel. The new Jr would be downright spacious by comparison. No concrete decision has been reached, but the wings and tail surfaces are identical on the Baby, Junior, and new (Senior?) Aces, so I can keep building on the original build schedule I had in mind.
I intend to build the wing first.
Next will be the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the first of the welded structure.
With those done I will be faced with the choice of which fuselage to build.
I'm leaning towards modifying the plans I have to build a wider and slightly longer fuselage. I intend to have an aeronautical engineer go over any changes I make to ensure their safety. Anyone know of one?
The answer changes from person to person. The kernel of inspiration to build an airplane was there, as I mentioned in the last post, from the time and effort it took to build the Spirit. But what plane?
I looked at the trusty Pietenpol, but the size of the cockpits and the useful load left me wanting for something more. I looked at the Double Eagle and the Airbike, but my girlfriend didn't like how open they were. Finally, I made a list of what I thought I wanted in an airplane, reproduced here.
-High wing monoplane (biplanes mean building 4 wings)
-Taildragger w/tailwheel
-Fabric wings and stab.
-Aluminum tube or wood construction, maybe steel
-Inexpensive to build
-Inexpensive to operate
-Single carb engine.
-Aircooled?
-Two seats
-Mostly enclosed cockpit (not a breezy)
-minimal systems
-AOA/reserve lift guage
-Amphibious a plus
The Corben Junior Ace met almost all of these criteria. In time I bought a set of plans from a guy who wasn't going to be able to build his plane. I hope to give them a second life.
So, I've got plans, now what?
I had a copy made of the plans to work from while keeping the aging originals in good condition. Then I began to pour over them. Well, that's not entirely true. At first I was a little afraid of damaging them, so I babied them a bit. With that adjustment period over, I dived in.
I started on the rib jig and ordered materials from Aircraft Spruce for the 26 ribs that will make up the airfoil of my Junior Ace. Material arrived, but I had to go deliver a boat before they all got in. This delayed work, but provided me with a unique opportunity.
At the end of the delivery I was going to visit my parents' new home. It turns out that the Ace "factory" is only 2 hours from their new house. Dad and I took a day and made a road trip of it. We had the opportunity to meet the company's current owner/builder Bill Wood. We both sat in a Junior Ace and realized they are quite narrow. This prompted at trip to the "skunk works" in the back room of the hangar to look at the new project, a 42" wide, lengthened Junior Ace.
Dad and I discussed the ramifications of this on my plane. We could barely fit in a standard Jr side by side, and our knees bashed the instrument panel. The new Jr would be downright spacious by comparison. No concrete decision has been reached, but the wings and tail surfaces are identical on the Baby, Junior, and new (Senior?) Aces, so I can keep building on the original build schedule I had in mind.
I intend to build the wing first.
Next will be the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the first of the welded structure.
With those done I will be faced with the choice of which fuselage to build.
I'm leaning towards modifying the plans I have to build a wider and slightly longer fuselage. I intend to have an aeronautical engineer go over any changes I make to ensure their safety. Anyone know of one?
Obvious question: Why taildragger? Isn't a tricycle gear safer/more forgiving/ easier to learn in?
ReplyDeleteAlso, why single carburetor? I guess the engineer in me insists on redundancy...
Also, is this one going to be an amphibian?
Yes, yes, and yes. Tricycle is easier,safer, and more forgiving. However, it makes for sloppy ground handling skills and, in my opinion, doesn't look as good. The Junior Ace can be built in a tricycle gear configuration if desired.
DeleteMost engines in GA aircraft have a single carbuerator. The Rotax 912, which is gaining popularity, has a dual carb arrangement where one carb runs each side of the engine. If a dual carb arrangement isn't properly and periodically balanced so each carb has the same airflow as the other, the engine runs unevenly. A single carb makes for slightly less power, but is easier to maintain.
I have seen Baby Aces (single seat version) on floats, but likely will not be doing that modification anytime soon, if ever.