Megan May
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2020
- Messages
- 68
Hello Everyone,
I am working on developing a new all-composite ultralight that I call the DubCub STOL UL. I wanted to see about perhaps getting some feedback from people who know homebuilt planes. Here are my specs so far:
Design: Single-occupant highly modified Piper J3 Cub
Construction: Carbon fiber structural components and landing gear; fiberglass control surfaces and slats—all moldless construction over high-density extruded polystyrene foamboard, hotwired
Max weight empty: Targeted to be approximately 200 lbs.
Avg. takeoff weight: 420 lbs. (accounting for 30 lbs fuel + 170-lb pilot + 20 lbs accessories/luggage)
27-foot wingspan, Clark Y airfoil with simplified Hoerner tips, 2 degrees of wing incidence, and 1 degree of dihedral on each wing, rectangular planform, so no washout needed, as the center area of the wings will stall first, leaving the outer wings flying and the ailerons still effective
Slotted flaps are integral to the wing, ailerons are Junkers-style to further keep them out of any stalled air during STOL operations
Wing area: 118 sq. ft.
Wing loading at avg. takeoff weight: A light 3.60 lbs./sq. ft.
Full-length wing slats
Redundant carbon fiber wing struts and jury struts
Powerplant: Two Stage-4 20+ hp Honda-clone 212cc four-stroke single-cylinder engines with 24mm Mikuni carbs, tuned headers, and carbon fiber mufflers—arranged in a centerline-thrust push-pull configuration for maximum redundancy and safety
Fuel capacity: Two isolated 2.5-gallon tanks, one for each powerplant
Propellers: Two two-bladed 130cm E-Props carbon fiber props, mounted above the cabin for maximum visibility and protection against prop strikes and kicked-up ground debris, counter-rotating to cancel out engine torque
Canopy: Four flat polycarbonate panels (one for the door), one with a simple bend, and one with a simple curve bent into itTop speed: 55 knots (63 mph), of course
Stall speed: <24 knots (<28 mph), of course
Slotted flaps (0 to 40 degrees)
Junkers-style ailerons (+/- 15 degrees)
Front wheels: 49cm (19.3”) WheelEEZ low-pressure beach wheels
Tail wheel: Fixed 125mm Rollerblade-style wheel, non-castering to help mitigate ground loops but still able to roll and skid during taxiing
Axles: Carbon fiber
Hardware: Grade 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9 where applicable
Removable wings, which result in a 7-foot-wide center section that fits in a standard garage bay or trailer
Overall dimensions: 27’ wide x 15’ 11” long x 7’ 3” high assembled, 7’ wide x 15” 11 long x 7’ 3” high with wings removed
I am working on developing a new all-composite ultralight that I call the DubCub STOL UL. I wanted to see about perhaps getting some feedback from people who know homebuilt planes. Here are my specs so far:
Design: Single-occupant highly modified Piper J3 Cub
Construction: Carbon fiber structural components and landing gear; fiberglass control surfaces and slats—all moldless construction over high-density extruded polystyrene foamboard, hotwired
Max weight empty: Targeted to be approximately 200 lbs.
Avg. takeoff weight: 420 lbs. (accounting for 30 lbs fuel + 170-lb pilot + 20 lbs accessories/luggage)
27-foot wingspan, Clark Y airfoil with simplified Hoerner tips, 2 degrees of wing incidence, and 1 degree of dihedral on each wing, rectangular planform, so no washout needed, as the center area of the wings will stall first, leaving the outer wings flying and the ailerons still effective
Slotted flaps are integral to the wing, ailerons are Junkers-style to further keep them out of any stalled air during STOL operations
Wing area: 118 sq. ft.
Wing loading at avg. takeoff weight: A light 3.60 lbs./sq. ft.
Full-length wing slats
Redundant carbon fiber wing struts and jury struts
Powerplant: Two Stage-4 20+ hp Honda-clone 212cc four-stroke single-cylinder engines with 24mm Mikuni carbs, tuned headers, and carbon fiber mufflers—arranged in a centerline-thrust push-pull configuration for maximum redundancy and safety
Fuel capacity: Two isolated 2.5-gallon tanks, one for each powerplant
Propellers: Two two-bladed 130cm E-Props carbon fiber props, mounted above the cabin for maximum visibility and protection against prop strikes and kicked-up ground debris, counter-rotating to cancel out engine torque
Canopy: Four flat polycarbonate panels (one for the door), one with a simple bend, and one with a simple curve bent into itTop speed: 55 knots (63 mph), of course
Stall speed: <24 knots (<28 mph), of course
Slotted flaps (0 to 40 degrees)
Junkers-style ailerons (+/- 15 degrees)
Front wheels: 49cm (19.3”) WheelEEZ low-pressure beach wheels
Tail wheel: Fixed 125mm Rollerblade-style wheel, non-castering to help mitigate ground loops but still able to roll and skid during taxiing
Axles: Carbon fiber
Hardware: Grade 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9 where applicable
Removable wings, which result in a 7-foot-wide center section that fits in a standard garage bay or trailer
Overall dimensions: 27’ wide x 15’ 11” long x 7’ 3” high assembled, 7’ wide x 15” 11 long x 7’ 3” high with wings removed
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