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  1. N

    Open Source Kit Aircraft pt2: $20,000 Amphibious Lifting Body LSA

    Proposed aircraft needs a name asap. Ideas are much appreciated! The lower half of the aircraft will displace 110cu feet (*64lbs) or over 7,000lbs of water submerged up to the chines the way it is designed. Yes, it should at the very least float. Its just a layout proposal that happens to be...
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    Around the World in a Cub?

    This guy is awesome. The US Dept of Homeland Security detained him for 10 days in solitary without letting him talk to anyone after he landed on the Bush ranch then blocked all media coverage in the USA. Heres a couple quotes from his short online bio. "Having won over 120 allegations...
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft pt2: $20,000 Amphibious Lifting Body LSA

    I dunno about you two but I'm definitely dreaming. If the XF85 goblin flew well, this should get off the ground. Polycarbonate will be 1/2" thick and ought to be strong enough. I have some experience with vacuum forming so I'm not too worried about that. An R/C model might be helpful, but...
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft pt2: $20,000 Amphibious Lifting Body LSA

    Haha lets start taking bets on the time it takes between when I break the sound barrier with bolt on external ramjets over LA and when the FAA shows up at my apartment. ;) Seriously though I do design for work and this idea started out as just a portfolio piece. I sometimes build what I'm...
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft pt2: $20,000 Amphibious Lifting Body LSA

    That is the most amazing thing I have ever heard. I'll be sure to have a camera on me at all times.
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    Pressurizing ram air scoop

    Also, make sure its above the boundary layer!
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft pt2: $20,000 Amphibious Lifting Body LSA

    My mistake I guess I'm confusing articles. I'm working on parts lists and cads; I'll upload some tonight. I have 20k after selling my motorcycle, selling my car and buying a cheaper one, and selling most of my metalworking and woodworking tools after choosing to continue with composites. I...
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    Pressurizing ram air scoop

    From my experience with cars I know you could see an extra 1-3% from 70-150mph. I'd expect similar results from 100-200 with a small plane. You will have to tune the carb for more fuel if you're seeing any major gains. Also, turbulence is a huge problem in engine intakes. Many racing engines...
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft pt2: $20,000 Amphibious Lifting Body LSA

    Second picture is Wernicke air car. Barely drove. Flew well. Tested at NASA. Stalled 70mph. The CG is well rearward in the vehicle. It will have a 20* pitch up in water. A DIY vacuum former is easy, cheap to make with some powerful fans and a heating element. I found a PDF on google...
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    Ducted Fans

    Almost ANY fuel. Not fuel efficient until 500mph+. A turbine will be more efficient below 500mph but a ramjet can be as efficient above that speed. Its very easy to tune a ramjet for efficiency unlike a turbine. Ramjets cost 1/1000th of a turbine. Use a motor to get up to ramjet speed and...
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    Ducted Fans

    A 1.5L I6 spinning 10,000rpm making 525ft lbs of torque would do the trick. The 2JZ and S54 both go to 9000 rpm and make 300ish torque with 3L Turbo to 2 atmospheres or 14psi and you've got a winner. I6s are mechanically balanced and thus bulletproof. If you want a cheaper route just get a...
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft pt2: $20,000 Amphibious Lifting Body LSA

    I have $20,000 and 4 months with which to build this plane. I have a lot of experience in automotive design, racing, and practical structural knowledge, as well as a few actual engineers from craigslist lined up to help that are experienced with actual stress analysis. It will stay open source...
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    Airplane design (help a newbie)

    May I suggest a shifter kart with a rogallo wing? Talk about fun for 5-10k.
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    Dhyedral

    No point as the CG is already below the wing
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    Single engine 300-400hp pusher

    I know slow turning engines are well loved in aviation, but coming from cars I have to point out the short stroke engines vibrate less, make more hp per pound, and sound more exotic. Inline 6, flat 6, or 12 cylinder engines make great power plants because they are mechanically stable...
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft

    +1 for night school class. Thats $15 here + $150 for the student edition and you're 100% legitimate. I just called and talked to a representative and explained what I was trying to do and that I was broke etc. I'm pretty sure their representatives are allowed to cut deals with distributors...
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft

    Solid works was free for me. I just called and said I'm a student using it for design and they sent me a copy. If I make money using solidworks I'll buy a copy. Its like 5k? Not much for a corporation these days since angel investments are usually about 100k model, 1M prototype. Lawyers and...
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft

    One more pic with the right wing folded up. Seating is close; almost like a motorcycle. Batteries/fuel behind the small of passenger's back. The firewall will angle forward there with the seat because of the slightly reclined position so explosives on the correct side of the firewall. Controls...
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    Open Source Kit Aircraft

    500ft spin test? Sounds unlikely but so do a lot of aircraft crashes... Foam plugs aren't too expensive. Plastics require no paint prep or epoxy like composites. [...] edit: Hot Wings said it better than I could. I made a couple quick concepts in solidworks... here goes my LSA 1+1. Its made...
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    Question about coplanar wings

    Yes to all. Sometimes maybe it depends. Look up deep stall. Multiplane wings generally have the rearward wing close and low to force high pressure air under the wing across the top of the flap or second wing, but this is essentially a longer wing and creates problems at high angles of attack...
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