Thanks to the Hatz thread and other factors, I’ve got biplanes on the brain right now. I believe that a well-designed, open-cockpit biplane with classic lines will always have a place in homebuilding because of the association with WWI and the Golden Age. What would the HBA crowd like to see in a new biplane design? Power? Seats? Construction? Style?
Personally, I think that there are already enough big LyCosaur-powered aerobatic and sport biplanes out there and we could use more LSA or even European microlight biplanes for getting your goggles-and-scarf groove on for a lot less money than a Pitts or Starduster or what have you. Yes, there is the Hatz LSA and the Kieblitz from Germany and Sherwood Ranger from the UK, but it’s not a long list.
I could see a light, simple, affordable, two-seat sport biplane having great appeal, say 80-100 hp with a lighter microlight model and a heavier LSA version, not a replica but channeling classic biplane style. Here are a couple of possible inspirations: the timeless DH60 Cirrus Moth, the airy Leopoldoff Colibri, and the Javelin Wichawk for its side-by-side open cockpit.
Let’s hear your thoughts!
Cheers,
Matthew
Personally, I think that there are already enough big LyCosaur-powered aerobatic and sport biplanes out there and we could use more LSA or even European microlight biplanes for getting your goggles-and-scarf groove on for a lot less money than a Pitts or Starduster or what have you. Yes, there is the Hatz LSA and the Kieblitz from Germany and Sherwood Ranger from the UK, but it’s not a long list.
I could see a light, simple, affordable, two-seat sport biplane having great appeal, say 80-100 hp with a lighter microlight model and a heavier LSA version, not a replica but channeling classic biplane style. Here are a couple of possible inspirations: the timeless DH60 Cirrus Moth, the airy Leopoldoff Colibri, and the Javelin Wichawk for its side-by-side open cockpit.
Let’s hear your thoughts!
Cheers,
Matthew