Hello up there!

larrymoody · Posts: 11 Join date: 2008-08-29

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have fun and be safe

Good advice indeed!

GeoB · Posts: 8 Join date: 2008-11-11 Location: Fresno, CA USA

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check out the Sky Pup, a easy build that can handle whatever engine you wish.

I checked out the Sky Pup. It needs small engines. I was interested in some form of 4-stroke power, I think it is not built strong enough for a 1/2 VW... not really sure, have had no hands-on. The Banty is much like the skypup. Probably take close to the same money and time to build. Seems a bit more substancial, albiet still very light. It has 3-axis vs the skypup 2-axis. Takes a lil larger engine IIRC.

I have not heard anything bad about the LE. I guess it is still evolving but a good plane, some changes are suggested now and then. Folks have used a variety of engines with it, can't remember all but I know some 2-strokes and the 1/2 VW and the Valley Eng Big Twin.

Last time I checked, recently, the Sweet Pea plans/kit had not been released. I sure like the look of it. The bi-plane is cute but I think in terms of L/D the high-wing version might catch my serious interest.

I think investigation will reveal that the VP-1 will not go FAR part 103 due to weight.

I am attracted to the design idea behind Roger Mann's RW6 Rag-a-muffin Parasol. All wood, but specs are for Doug Fir so cheaper. It is designed for the scrounger. The FFP plane that is similar is the Fisher FP202 Koala. A nice flyer too. All wood parasol.

The ole Weedhopper is still around. I would be interested in a nice comparison between the Quicksilver and the Weedhopper. Two old veterans. One feller (at least) is flying his around with a 1/2 VW on it. 1 gal/hr at 45 mph.

The Hart Aerosport and the Ragwing 16 are Affordaplane look-a-likes you might be interested in maybe.

The Kolb Ultrastar is another minimalist type UL I am lookig for more info on. They pop-up on Barnstormers once inna while.

Checkout the Monofly. Folks seem to really like them. Another flying rail. Simple as can be, but known to be really tough.

The Poorboy has free plans on the internet, but it would be hard to build it as a 103-compliant UL. Also the Texas Parasol has free plans but comes in too heavy also. The plans might be useful to have. Think I have em somewhere.

Beaujon has a website and sells a set of plans bundled, for 7 aircraft for $40. I posted his give-away set of plans for the Enduro (with ads and pics of his others) on the TBUC yahoo group. These are OLD airplane designs, from the 70's and 80's I believe. Very simple and cheap. Folks are building and flying some of them. The Enduro specs a 16 hp Briggs opposed twin! Try finding one of those.

There exists a Yahoo group for the Affordaplane unless it died in the last coupla months. Don't recall the name, but it wasn't Affordaplane. Not terribly active. Kinda defensive too IIRC. Might pick up some info on there on the disharmony source.

The B1rd, the Lazair, the Tbird, Bird2, are cheap and interesting. Phantom deserve a close look. Built TOUGH, some are aerobatic, some are 103 compliant. Skyseekers keep popping up. There are some safety advisories out on this so beware.

I 'spose you know this, but if you are not in a hurry there are some seemingly really desirable (cheap) unfinished projects to be found regularly on Barnstormers.

Rambling in Fresno,
GeoB

ProWash · Posts: 3 Join date: 2008-11-30

Greetings larrymoody,

Have you considered a single seat powered parachute? It sounds axactly like what you need. Easily portable, most use rotax 2 stroke and auto fuel. There is a new one that uses a four stroke Honda twin and less than 2 GPH. Relatively safe to fly. Stall resistant. Low and slow.

R Craig