skeeter_ca
Well-Known Member
Lighter is better when it comes to planes as i have always heard. I plan on building a VJ-22 amphib. In the plans i can see a few places to lighten up but the largest area seem to be the steel parts. no aluminum is used in this 1960's design, all steel, mostly 4130. I'm wondering if most of the parts could be switch to aluminum (either 2024 or 6061). aluminum is 1/3 the weight but is it 1/3 the strength. Would doubling the thickness be a good enough safety margin. I'm not talking about the main structure items like spar fittings, struts. I would want to stick to the plans for these. I would like to make the change on the control sticks and related parts and landing gear components. What do you think would be a good safety margin without having to reinvent the wheel. Thanks Skeeter.
