Tailspin's VP-1 Project & Sun Bird Deviation

[grostek]

Griffin asked

"What wood did you use for the different components (ribs, fus)? I do no know what the plans call for but some of the other builders seem to use exotics that are not that readily available in SA. "

Hi Griffen,

For the wooden components you can use Spruce (expensive) Oregon Pine slightly heavier but localy available or Saligna which is also slightly heavier than spruce but also stronger than spruce and ofcourse saligna is a very lcal wood.

Spars can be made from local saligna

Ribs are made from marine plywood (Plywood City Mooi st JHB)

Plywood for fuselage sides are again marine plywood.

Steel components can be made from local steel

Wing struts are airfoil shaped and are expensive import items but a local tube (round of say 60mm diameter can be faired to give it a streamline shape at very little cost.

Glue you can use exotic imports or the local Epidermix epoxy glue.

The plans are available from Aircraft Spruce for +- 50 USD (+- R350)

Plans are very detailed and if you work every day for an hour or so doing something constructive you can finish this plane from scratch in about 6 months.

This must be the simplest of all aircraft to build.

The designer quotes 600 hours and goes so far as to say "if you take longer , then you are doing something else"

So to answer you question probably 90% of components to build this aircraft are available localy.

Cost wise the basic arframe should not cost more than ....... well your quess is as good as mine because some people can build a real cheap aircraft for big bucks and some can build a real expensive aircraft for peanuts because they are great scroungers.

Budget on spending about R20,000 but bear in mind the above

Tailspin will no doubt add many more words of wisdom and practical experience.


Kind regards,

Gunter[/list]

[Tailspin]

Hi Griffen

Gunter said about most everything, i have taken 5 years so far as i have been shipped from pillar to post with the work and having a very young family life tends to get in the way, i also fly trikes so there i need to decide go flying today or build - Difficult decision. 90% of my metal parts are local suppliers and i have tried to make 99% of everything myself so giving myself a broader range of knowledge and experiance. I have scrounged alot of stuff and swopped even more. everything i do not use or cannot use i give away as it was a learning curve that has kept me going.


BUT don't think this is just a quick model to slap together, it may be an easy build but you need to do it properly and remember it is your life at the end of the day.

[smallfly]

Hi Tailspin

Do you think it is at all possible to shave off some weight to get this plane

within the specs for MPL ??

Also, do you know what the auw for the two saet version would be ?

[grostek]

Hi Smallfly,

VP1
Shaving weight off the VP1 will result in an a/c with reduced strength, best to stick to the plans.

VP 2
Empty weight 640 Lbs
Gross weight 1040 Lbs

Kind regards

Gunter[/img]

[smallfly]

That's a real pitty as PPL is a LOT of moolah !

[Tailspin]

That's a real pitty as PPL is a LOT of moolah !

That is why i am waiting for the Sport Pilot License. The VP is basically 35KG over the MPL weight if i fit a 582 it will fall into the MPL catagory. Been thingking of going that route or just doing my PPL and then flying the VP on PPL and the Trike on MPL.

[Captain Biggles]

What about a Jabi 85 hp up front...besides the difference in cost between the 582 and Jabi motor the overhaul weight should still make the MPL class....worth thinking about...

[Tailspin]

What about a Jabi 85 hp up front...besides the difference in cost between the 582 and Jabi motor the overhaul weight should still make the MPL class....worth thinking about...

Sounds like something to really think about. Thanks Captain will do some research

[grostek]

Hi Tailspin.

A while ago Smallfly asked if the VP1 weight could be reduced to fit the MPL category.

I dont know what te max weight is for MPL but I have done a spreadsheet in Excel that shows a Std VP to be about 490 Lbs (the original was 440Lbs) .

With a redrive a VP will weigh in at about 520 Lbs.

I then replaced the Volla plus some other items with a Rotax 503 and lighter components elswhere without sacrificing safety or strength.
The weight came in at 375 Lbs.

This little excercise shows that about 120 Lbs can be "shaved" off the VP without sacrificing safety or strength.

Another plus is the 503 can be picked up and overhauled for about the same as a Volla ((????) correct me if I am wrong on this.

Lastly expect about 230 Lbs THRUST from a 503 and about 140 from a direct drive Volla.

So less weight and more thrust equals better climb rate!!

Hope this is of some help to sombody.

Kind regards

Gunter.

[flykr]

Interesting reading Gunter….although the 503 may increase climb performance the lighter weight will restrict you to early morning and late afternoon flying….unless you can stand being bumped around in the afternoon thermals. My VP1 comes in at 278kg empty, climbs out at 100ftpm and cruises along at 75mph and I can fly anytime of the day. :D The extra weight definitely has it's advantages.

[Miskiet]

And I thought my Windlass' 300 ft/min was marginal....

[grostek]

Hi Flykr,

Wow, why is the empty weight so high? 278kg = 611 Lbs

The gross weight is 650lbs (295kg) if you want the full +6 -3 G rating.

Yes Bud Evans did allow the gross to go up to 750Lbs (340kg) but with [b]reduced[/b] G rating at that weight.

So what is your normal takeoff weight?

Kind regards

Gunter

[flykr]

All up weight with a full tank of fuel and myself on board is 393kg Never built the VP but think the starter, alternator and 9kg battery contribute to the weight. Was going to remove all these goodies but she flies ok so I left it as is. I also didn't feel like another aeroplane I have to hand start, it's a real pain in the butt

[swiftprop]

Hats off to you Tailspin for perservering so long. Looks like a real perfectionist job! But that is the only way to go! thanks for all the info.

[Tailspin]

Thanks Swiftprop.

Can you believe it i am seriously considering building another one. Two seater.