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Choosing wood over aluminium worth it?

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PorcoRosso

Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2012
Messages
9
Location
Stuck in DC's no-fly zone
I've found wonderful resources on a future project I'd like to start early on, an ultralight glider. As things go, the plans for aircraft of this type are usually aluminium tubing and bolted joints (nothing welded or made of machined metal). Would it first off be possible to replace all structural framework of aluminium with lightweight wood/plywood for a lowered cost without adding too much weight, or is wood simply out of the question when it comes to ultralight gliding? I've been told aluminium is lighter, though I still feel metal tubes and steel bolts would weigh more than wooden spars and properly jointed connections. I'm talking quite general here, as aside from the specific project I'd also like to know what woods would be a good choice for ultralight aircraft; powered and un-powered alike.

Many thanks in advance.
 
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