I've been corresponding with Serge Pennec, the French designer of the Gas'aile. I asked him if I could get the plane up to a MTOW of 600kg which is the max in Australia if I decide to register it as an ultralight. The plane is presently designed for a MTOW of 480 kg. The carbon spar caps are supplied professionally made to builders in Europe in one piece whereas I want to lay up my own using Graphlite carbon rod as it would be much cheaper to get it to Australia. I'm only asking because I know there are already a couple of Gas'ailes flying in Europe at 600kg.
In answer to my question he wrote: "it is ok for 500, but the certification FAR 23 say only 1/5 to the 2000 mpa, the carbone work only at 400 mpa for 6G !!"
Is that true? Does Far 23 restrict carbon use to 400Mpa or am I understanding him wrongly?
Mark
In answer to my question he wrote: "it is ok for 500, but the certification FAR 23 say only 1/5 to the 2000 mpa, the carbone work only at 400 mpa for 6G !!"
Is that true? Does Far 23 restrict carbon use to 400Mpa or am I understanding him wrongly?
Mark