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Itty-bitty hangarless aircraft challenge!

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Thunderchook

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2016
Messages
246
Location
Queensland, Australia
Okay... so here's the thing.
I wanna get into the air.
Got a pilot's licence but can't afford to use it.
Did the numbers on owning a plane but 1) Can barely afford even the purchase price of even the lower end of ultralight aircraft and 2) the ongoing costs are still sizeable.

So, the thinking is that I need a small (but safe) aircraft that can be easily de-rigged and put on a trailer (preferrably by myself, so I can go and fly at 7am on an empty airfield!) to eliminate hangar fees from the running costs.

A heavy contender is the Flying Flea HM293.
It's small and gets even smaller when you fold the wings.
It fits nicely on a trailer, thus eliminating hangar fees.

I am, however, a die-hard 3 axis pilot. Not a big fan of the "swish-swish-fishy-wishy" banking turns.
I considered (and discussed) putting ailerons on one, but a few people threw their bibles down, said a few "Hail Marys" and asked with exasperation "But... but... why??? Why would you do such a thing??!!"
It would appear that some Mignet devotees simply won't abide such an idea.

The mantra repeated was, "If you want a 3 axis aircraft, then why not pick one of the thousands of other 3 axis designs??"

So, okay.... throw them at me:
1) A small, safe aircraft
2) Has folding wings or can be easily de-rigged by one person.
3) Can be trailered.
4) Enclosed or semi-enclosed and not some Quicksilver MX equivalent made with popsicle sticks, wires and a lawnmower engine.
5) Not an aircraft with a history of nasty habits.
6) Can be built at home without needing to lease part of the Lockheed Skunkworks building to use their specialised airplane-making equipment.
7) LSA or ultralight performance. (i.e. not a stall speed above Mach 1!)
8) Single seat is preferable

I'd build this if I knew it was available to build and safe... but sadly, it isn't:

starr-bumble-bee.jpg

Can this be done or am I chasing rainbows?

Thanks,

Thunderchook.
 
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