OK, I've decided to throw my hat into the ring and try my hand at walking a design concept through Dan Raymer's Simplified Aircraft Design for Homebuilders. Here are the design criteria I have in mind so far:
--Single-seat European microlight (300 kg/661 lbs max gross weight, minimum speed under 40 mph/35 knots/65 kph, flaps allowed)
--28 hp four-stroke industrial V-twin Subaru Robin EH72 low profile engine with fuel injection, absolutely stock fan-cooled engine with only exhaust pipes and a prob hub added for aircraft conversion
--Aluminum sheet construction, likely with some use of Oratex fabric and a tubular aluminum or steel crash cage around pilot
--Cruise speed of 100 mph/87 kt/161 kph or better
--Absolute range at cruise of 300 statute miles/483 km with no reserves
The use of a stock, fan-cooled engine implies a pusher. While I am always interested in building and hangaring in a small space like a 20' ISO shipping container, I am going to set those requirements aside for this exercise and just see what can be done with this low power engine.
Any initial thoughts or inspirations come to mind?
Cheers all,
Matthew
--Single-seat European microlight (300 kg/661 lbs max gross weight, minimum speed under 40 mph/35 knots/65 kph, flaps allowed)
--28 hp four-stroke industrial V-twin Subaru Robin EH72 low profile engine with fuel injection, absolutely stock fan-cooled engine with only exhaust pipes and a prob hub added for aircraft conversion
--Aluminum sheet construction, likely with some use of Oratex fabric and a tubular aluminum or steel crash cage around pilot
--Cruise speed of 100 mph/87 kt/161 kph or better
--Absolute range at cruise of 300 statute miles/483 km with no reserves
The use of a stock, fan-cooled engine implies a pusher. While I am always interested in building and hangaring in a small space like a 20' ISO shipping container, I am going to set those requirements aside for this exercise and just see what can be done with this low power engine.
Any initial thoughts or inspirations come to mind?
Cheers all,
Matthew
