A challenge to you all

IKEA plane sounds cool...maybe replacing the electric boards ( that so many get head injuries and even die ) ?

 

That was the Pterodactyl Ascender ultralight, minus the wrench, 35+ years ago. Assembly time: one day. Probably many others, too, but I watched, and helped a bit, as a Pterodactyl was being assembled.

About 20% to 25% of my neighbors are female pilots, including current or former airline pilots, airshow pilots, and competition aerobatics pilots. A few men seem to believe that women should be excluded from aviation - I declined an invitation to join the QBs because of that attitude was prevalent within the local hangar - but that is a minority point of view that rapidly is disappearing.

Yup, just like some of the young posters here who summarily dismiss the value of “the old farts at the EAA meeting.”

Any objective reading of just a few HBA posts would convince the reader that the spectrum of HBAers spans from hang glider and ultralight enthusiasts to jet powered enthusiasts and everything between. Having met quite a few of them, I am certain that there are many talented and interesting people here who are more than willing to share their knowledge with fellow enthusiasts. The time that some devote to educating others is amazing.

It’s not necessary to be rich to be a GA pilot. But those who do go for the “$100 hamburger” are helping to support people who are working to support themselves: cooks, waiters, restaurant owners, airport gasoline pumpers, the person who drives the 100LL delivery truck, etc. That is how a free economy works to reward those who take control of their own lives. Society, and individuals, are better served by the hamburger builder being “given” a job than by being given unearned money.


BJC

 

In regard to the $100 hamburger, I always tip more than the usual 15%, even though I never got a tip for doing my job. I did get a small bonus one time because we finished a job, (I was in construction) 10 months ahead of schedule and made the company owners an ass load more profit! A lot of guy complained that it was such a small bonus that it wasn't worth it. As for my way of thinking, it's more than I agreed to in the first place, so it was welcome. No company benefits, no paid vacation, no 401 K, we got a days pay for a days work and I knew that going in. I did manage to elevate my status as I got older, because I realized that I could not keep it up physically, if something didn't change, so I made it change. If I didn't go as far as I could have, I can look in the mirror and talk to that person. Just my 2 cents.
Bob

 

It's possible. Although the lady pilots I saw (of that era) wore pants. My opinion is it was to appeal to automobile owners.

 

At his request, I took a friend’s wife (I was 20 or 21, they were in their late 20’s) for her first aerobatic ride in a Citabria. Even though I recommended that she wear pants, she showed up in a mini skirt. Getting her strapped in, wearing a parachute, was ...... interesting.


BJC

 

Lets go back to subject here.

I remember 30-40 years ago they talked about 2 - 4000 USD for the stuff to make it..how much is the "lumber" today gonna cost for a minimum aeroplane ?

Staibs AIRY PLANE and CRI CRI are/were twins...does it have to be a twin to be small and inexpensive ?

 

That looks simple enough !

 

The tail for the original Cri Cri was built by an 8 year old with foam, aluminum and glue. It was Colomban's daughter.

 

They didn't need a whole lot of airplane or engine to fly

 

This lumber cost me around 100 usd. This will make one 0,5 kw wind turbine. It is about the wood for 1/4th of a Cri Cri sized ac.

 

1575 usd mentioned there.

 

Then again Peter Sripol made his first a twin.

 

Aluminum tubes can compete with wood on cost and is more durable and predictable quality.

I am impressed that Boeing was in the timber industry but was among the first to ditch the wood and build aluminum airplanes.

In the 70's I could build an aluminum hang glider for $75 while CGS was building them from bamboo for $25 or less. That was material costs. Labor was additional.

 

Wood was rediscovered in the "Spruce Goose" which was made outa birch wood composite. Even first Hughes missiles were still wood composite.

Certainly the automated production does require aluminium..as it is homegenous material...and indeed predictable. OTOH...wood compositte may be labour costly...but might actually beat the aluminium in quality hands down.

 

Wood is heavier and must be graded carefully however as far as durability goes that would be in question. There are many airplanes made from wood that
years older than some aluminum airplanes and the wood is still in excellent shape structurally.. Also let's not forget that aluminum in any metal has cycles that warrant it on-air worthy after a. Of time.

 

Back to the IKEA point. With today' high avail-now, one just has to work on build time. I note that GE (worked with their motors) is into 3-D print of engines. Many parts as one cuts assembly labor all thunder, and appeals to those who wanted it yesterday!

 

You cannot beat in weight for instance plywood-foam-plywood structure..it is durable and awesome...when ever it fits you design.

 

Laser cutting is a cure for this need.

 

I went to IKEA yesterday. I was thinking about an aeroplane that would hold one person aloft. Could it be made to 50 kg empty with an engine...and sold by the thousands ? ?

 

Yup, based on those specs alone, that already exists: powered para/hang gliders.