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Low aspect ratio ultralight

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Starman

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
2,011
Location
High in the Andes Mountains
xf5u1ah_6.jpg


After running my other design up in complexity and cost I turned around and ran it back down so now I'm thinking about making an ultralight ... or something pretty light that I might try to qualify as an ultralight for starters. The main reason is to get in the air ASAP.

I like the idea of low aspect ratio because it is possible to get a lot of wing area and still keep the weight down enough to be able to use a more powerful engine for what ends up being more climb rate than a high aspect ration UL. However I read about the Snedden M7 and about the full power required by the rules and wonder if he is getting away with it? I suppose someone can get away with it if they make just one but not if they are manufacturing. Not that I have my mind set on cheating, I'm just curious. I suppose I could start it out as an ultralight and then maybe add some power and make it experimental. I do like the low stall speeds and want to keep that whether it is a UL or experimental. I have lots of ideas so far but no specific direction chosen yet except I'm liking a fabric covered design - pretty much a requirement for a large wing area.
 
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