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  1. rtfm

    Sealing wood question

    I was talking to a building buddy the other day, and he suggested sealing the spars with diluted PVA glue. Anyone heard of this? And if so - any comments regarding its effectiveness? Also, he suggested using Gorilla polyurethane glue to bond the spar caps to the shear webs. Or as an...
  2. rtfm

    Mark Stull - RIP

    Hi. Just a reminder that today is the anniversary of Mark Stull's all-too-soon death on the maiden flight of his new design. RIP Mark - you were an inspiration to all of us.
  3. rtfm

    Blended wing?

    Hi, Apart from the Facetmobile, has anyone here proposed a blended wing design? Like even a concept sketch?
  4. rtfm

    Impeller design?

    Hi there, This isn't really a question directly related to flying or to aircraft design, but I respect the collective knowledge of this group, and thought someone might be able to help: I'm designing an impeller to fit on my CNC spindle, but have not been able to find any guidelines on impeller...
  5. rtfm

    Wing spar load testing question

    Hi, I've decided to test my spar only, not my entire wing. If the spar fails, no big real. If the wing itself fails, I'll be thoroughly pissed off. I recently watched a video by Mike Patey () where he tests the "Scrappy" spar. I found this a novel way to test the wing's ability to allow you...
  6. rtfm

    Whatever happed to Synergy by McGinnes?

    He and his rather striking plane seem to simply have dropped out of sight. Is it a thing? Has he given up on it? Has it flown?
  7. rtfm

    Pin stripes and clear coat?

    Hi, I have painted my fuselage, but want to delineate the block of yellow color with red pin stripes (maybe 25mm wide - depending on what I can get locally). So my question is: do I apply the pin stripe before or after the final clear coat?
  8. rtfm

    Trailers and wheel placement

    I'm sure a bunch of you guys know the answer to this: how do you work out where to place the wheels/axel on a trailer?
  9. rtfm

    Nose wheel off-centre?

    Hi. A quick question: Does the nose wheel need to be on the aircraft centreline? And if it can feasibly be off centre (using a single fork mounting system) how far off can it reasonably be?
  10. rtfm

    The state of our (dying) sport 2022

    A prize for anyone who can spot someone under 50 in the audience at Oshkosh 22. Also, the audience is almost exclusively men. White men.It's quite a telling photo.
  11. rtfm

    What is the lightest battery I can use

    Hi. Looking for advice on the lightest battery I can use on the Fleabike. It has a 990cc Generac motor.
  12. rtfm

    Minimalistic gas tanks

    Hi, In between finishing off the rear wing of the Fleabike, I'm starting to think more about the gas tank. Fuel pump, gas filler cap, fuel drain - plus all the holes in the tank these pieces require. Surely there is a safe minimalist way of doing things? This super-neat gyro seems to have a...
  13. rtfm

    Gradated rib thickness?

    Before someone chews my head off saying "Do the math!", can I just ask a simple question? Would it not be weight-wise to reduce the thickness of the plywood ribs on the Fleabike from Panel 1 (inner panel): 9mm, Panel 2: 7mm, Panel 3 (outer panel): 5mm Duncan
  14. rtfm

    Glider design guidelines

    Hi guys, I once came across a neat little publication which spelled out guidelines for glider design. In it there were things like max lateral force on the fin to be taken into account and that sort of thing. I salted this little jem away, and 2 years ago when I was attacked by a ransomware...
  15. rtfm

    Ballroom champions...

    Hi guys, I've not posted here in ages, but I've been head down and arse up working on the Fleabike. Fuselage is complete. Rear wing is *almost* complete. Just waiting for a second consignment of bolts to arrive so that I can bolt the hinges on - the first lot were too long. Sigh... But the...
  16. rtfm

    Typical HBA-style postings (humorous)

    Full disclosure - I stole this Question: Q: How many group members does it take to change a light bulb ? 1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed. 14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed...
  17. rtfm

    Why round tubes for landing gear?

    Hi, I'm sure there is a perfectly obvious reason all landing gear are constructed from round tubing, but I don't know what it is. Anyone care to enlighten me? Likewise for wing struts. Duncan
  18. rtfm

    Tailwheel config question

    Hi, I am assuming that the further aft the CG is from the main gear, the more difficult it will be to keep a tail dragger tracking straight down the runway, and vice-versa. Are there guidelines for this? Raymer suggests an angle of from 16 deg to 25 deg from the main gear to the CG. My...
  19. rtfm

    The "Skyflow" cedar strip Flea

    Hi, I've been stuck at home during lockdown here in Brisbane, and with no wood to keep me occupied in the Yardshed, I've been spending my hours designing a cedar strip single (and double) seat Flea. These are very much in the concept stage, with very little by way of actual design having taken...
  20. rtfm

    Composite aircraft engine cover material?

    Hi, I guess the title puts my question quite well. Regards, Duncan
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