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If, after you read this, you do not consider me a nut and you have knowledge of how to build a large aircraft from scratch...I need to talk to you. I want to build a plane that is a little longer than 40ft. and a wing span of almost 60 ft. I have a been around aircraft all of my life but have never built one of my own. I am not a pilot but I hope to be at sometime (when I have the money) Anyway...If you are up for a challenge contact me.
What is the mission of the aircraft that it needs to be so large?
I was at the Weeks hangar all weekend, and kept looking at the Ford Tri-Motors thinking about how "homebuilt" they look. Something like that would be a cool project! Expensive, but cool!
Hey Chad - maybe a visit to Chapter 1247 is in order...? Road trip!
http://www.tingoose.org/trimotorproject.html
And, of course, by "road trip" I mean "let's go flying!" :)
Especially if you guys stop and pick me up. :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Hal Bryan
That was my thought.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dana
I would suggest against building something like that as a first project. Even though my goal is to build a long-distance, high-speed turboprop, I am still designing and building a light sport aircraft first both as a way to develop my building skills and to test out some of the systems for the bigger project (seats, fuel tanks, etc) at a smaller and more practical scale.Quote:
I have a been around aircraft all of my life but have never built one of my own. I am not a pilot but I hope to be at sometime (when I have the money)
It would also be wise to become a pilot before starting to build. The other thing to keep in mind about something with a 60 foot wingspan is the problem with finding a hangar to store it in (that isn't going to be prohibitively expensive) as well as the operating limitations so far as airports are concerned.
Here's one for inspiration, right about the sizes the OP was talking about:
Wilson Global Explorer
The mission for such a large aircraft is that nobody has one and it would attract a great amount of attention. My main question is what material to build it from? As for hanger space...well that is a bridge to cross when get the project up an running. I am currently drawing up the concept in a 1 to 1 scale to give others some idea what is on my mind. I personally did not realize the scope of this until I started drawing it out. (anybody know where I can find a 25 FT. french curve?...just kidding) I have no doubt that this will be a tough build...I have no illusions about how long or how much money it would require...It will take a large amount of both of these. If I sound cagey about this...I apologize. I am trying to get help with out letting out to much information.
'Nobody has one'...Uh, I can think of dozens, if not hundreds of aircraft that are that size or larger. The question still remains, what is the mission?
Yeah, and by doing so you're making us think you are:Quote:
Originally Posted by bpa2000
A. Crazy
B. Trolling
C. Lacking in intelligence
D. Full of ****
E. Some combination of A, B, C and D.
Give us more specifics or expect more questions and little help.
That's not the mission. The mission is what it can do, how many passengers, how much cargo, how far, how fast, how high, how short a runway, etc. Only when you define what the aircraft needs to do can you start designing it.Quote:
Originally Posted by bpa2000
First get your computer based CAD package working. Then you can find and/or make a french curve of any dimensions desired. For your first assignment:Quote:
Originally Posted by bpa2000
- Make a 25 ft. french curve in the CAD program
- Print the drawings on paper
- Order Lextran/plexiglass sheets of your desired thickness
- Cut the pieces using the paper outlines
- Assemble your 25 ft. french curve
I thought you were going a whole other direction with this - as in, I can think of dozens, if not hundreds of aircraft that nobody else has one. All the ones that took too long to develop, cost too much, performed too little, were just "bad ideas in a can". You name it. You don't have to build to those dimensions to get something unique. Now, unique and can't hide it in a hangar? That's a little harder to do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Gonitzke
One homebuilt that I think would be pretty big/impressive is that scaled-down P-38. Though instead of cramming the 2nd seat in behind the pilot, put some clear parts up front where the guns would go, and maybe get a seat or two in front of the pilot's feet... Maybe end up with 4 in-tandem seating with some "boom lockers" for some payload... Or wasn't there a 2-seater quarter-scale B-17 out there somewhere?
Attachment 1523
Attachment 1525Might fit a person or two in there - maybe have to scale-down the nose wheel...
Attachment 1524
I'd go for a scaled down B-25 with a seat in the front behind plexiglass, lower than the pilot.
And yes, I can hear Steve exclaim over the safety of that from here!
Odd engineering question - if one rigged up a transmission to drive two propellors from a single engine one wouldn't technically need a multi-engine rating, correct?
;) Actually, I'd be right there helping you design it so it would be safety....and so I could get a ride in it. :PQuote:
I'd go for a scaled down B-25 with a seat in the front behind plexiglass, lower than the pilot.
And yes, I can hear Steve exclaim over the safety of that from here!
Hello BPA2000 - lots of opinions about what not to do out there.....everyone has to have a dream I think - that helps to keep us moving forward!! I don't think you are a nut (no more than me!) but I have only build models so far, and a long time ago. I am currently building a Pietenpol that will provide me many years of enjoyment getting to the finished item! Designing an aircraft model is a very challenging and rewarding job that can teach you lots about what will work and what you want.
There are easier ways to get an idea of the size you are talking about that drawing it 1 to 1! I have started to use Solidworks - a CAD drawing software, and it is great for doing simple and complex drawings, assemblies and complete machines. We could do an outline drawing to scale fairly easily, if you want to give it a try.
I live in Northern Ireland, so I am not exactly close, but the internet can help with that. I am always up for a challenge........My name is Mark. Hope to hear from you!
I think if you want to do this, go for it. There is no reason not to.
However, judging from your responses to our questions, you don't know very much about flying or aircraft. There's nothing wrong with that, but I would recommend getting your license as a first step. It will force you into planes so you can see what different aircraft are for and how they perform. It will also put you in touch with a lot of pilots and likely several builders who might be able to answer some of your questions face to face.
Some folks like to fly, some just get a kick out of building. If you tackle such a large project, you might be one of the latter. I've a friend who has worked on his Cozy for almost 30 years and is happy as he can be. Go for it!