103
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The 1951 1200cc VW plane in the link above is almost there with modern materials is it possible to support a 141lbs hand propped 1600cc using modern materials.
Is Part 103 possible with a full VW?
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The 1951 1200cc VW plane in the link above is almost there with modern materials is it possible to support a 141lbs hand propped 1600cc using modern materials.
Possible? Yes - one example.
Even the later version with a 'normal' fuselage could be built under weight.
Even the later version with a 'normal' fuselage could be built under weight.
The Morin in post 1 is interesting at 275 pounds. But it doesn't have enough wing area needed for a legal 103.
EAA told me just build it one seat and 5 gallons of gas and fly to strict 103 flight rules and that's enough for the FAA.
EAA told me just build it one seat and 5 gallons of gas and fly to strict 103 flight rules and that's enough for the FAA.
Protech Racing
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That's about reality here also. 4.5 #s per sq ft is about the upper limit for 103 IMHO. With that, you still need some CL modifiers. Build that plane with straight , thicker wing, adding maybe a foot of chord , should be close .
The 1200 heads with the tiny intake minus the starter, gen etc using a stock distributer, with 1600 or 1700 jugs, would be the lightest and maybe 35 good HP.
The 1200 heads with the tiny intake minus the starter, gen etc using a stock distributer, with 1600 or 1700 jugs, would be the lightest and maybe 35 good HP.
My answer comes from the Al Borland collection; "I don't think so Tim."
In my limited experience around ultralights for a number of years I've seen a lot of "looks like a duck" aircraft but the walk was a little heavy footed and the quack had a little too much baritone. But as BBerson noted above ... perhaps close enough is perfect enough.
In my limited experience around ultralights for a number of years I've seen a lot of "looks like a duck" aircraft but the walk was a little heavy footed and the quack had a little too much baritone. But as BBerson noted above ... perhaps close enough is perfect enough.
It may be possible, but it's a very slippery slope towards a disaster. With an engine that is heavy, you will be forced to look around for other places to remove weight, like the spar caps, longerons, and landing gear. We've all seen Part 103 legal airplanes with microscopic little wheels that look ridiculous. That's the best case scenario, to have an airplane limited to smooth pavement. The worst case is that you took too much weight out of the structure, and you have something that is not safe to withstand a 2 or 3G gust.
All thatis for a conventional airplane. If you really really want a heavy engine on a Part 103 UL, then the safest way IMHO is a powered parachute using a real light aluminum tube buggy. The "wing" on the PPC weighs very little of course, so you have a good chance to make 103 weight with a heavy engine.
All thatis for a conventional airplane. If you really really want a heavy engine on a Part 103 UL, then the safest way IMHO is a powered parachute using a real light aluminum tube buggy. The "wing" on the PPC weighs very little of course, so you have a good chance to make 103 weight with a heavy engine.
103
Well-Known Member
That seems to be a good capstone to this inquiry. The SSSC as an Experimental seems to be an optimal trade off between performance and sufficiency ruggedness for safe daily operations. The Limit for VW appears to be the 1/2VW only to free up enough weight for proper structures.
stevel
Well-Known Member
If one were to go the high-tech, super-genius-engineered, exotic-material-and-processes,...etc. route, then absolutely, but why would someone handicap such an aircraft with such an inelegant powerplant?
Protech Racing
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I have yet to talk with many 1/2 VW flyers that are happy with it. Most state that they will add power as soon as they can. The power to density is poor. 30 -36ish HP.
The big dollar Casler engines seem like the ticket if you have to have one.
The big dollar Casler engines seem like the ticket if you have to have one.
103 is mostly about looking the part. People regularly get away with hiding a few extra pounds here and there.
The rule of the thumb with Part 103 is don't ask, don't tell, but a full VW is going to raise eyebrows.
The rule of the thumb with Part 103 is don't ask, don't tell, but a full VW is going to raise eyebrows.
Protech Racing
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The local ramp check guy told me that he thought my plane was a nice flying UL. Said thanks and went on my way . My newly installed 6 gal boat tank sitting right there. He wrote guys up for no tickets, at the fuel farm . Old guys just dont care, do we.
I avoided Sat AM flying after that. Most eves about 6-8 O clock was the best.
I avoided Sat AM flying after that. Most eves about 6-8 O clock was the best.
