Maybe the best UL wing design ?

[Gregory Perkins]

The Nomad and Honcho ultralights by DSK aircraft benefited from their relationship with Volmer Jensen and they also were selling a Sailplane that I dont remember the name of. They used spars that were built up from aluminum tubes that appeared to be highly engineered more so than any other UL wings I am aware of. See attached

 

[Victor Bravo]

and they also were selling a Sailplane that I dont remember the name of.

I think that would have been the BJ-1 Duster, which was all wood.

 

[Armilite]

With Robust Engineering they are very Heavy at 32 lbs. A USA Part 103 Aircraft 254 lbs Empty Weight and the Highest MTOW I have seen for one is 660 lbs which need 40.1hp. At 254 lbs and Avg Pilot Weight between 180-235lbs + Gas 30 lbs, at 254 lbs + 235 lbs + 30 lbs = 519 lbs! Even for most Small kit planes, the MTOW falls into the same 450 lbs to 660 lbs range. Most of these Tube & Fabric Airplanes in the last 40+ Years have used 0.058" to 0.065" Wall Tubing for up to MTOW of 660 lbs. Using Spar OD's of 2" x 2" or 2.25" x 2". My T-Bird I, uses 2" OD x 2" OD - both 0.065" wall tubes for an MTOW of 660 lbs. With over 4000 Built in the last 40+ years, I have only heard of (1) T-Bird failure (Human-caused) and that was a Bolt not tightened, not a structural Failure from Tube Size used. Spar Loads are usually 70/30 so using a Bigger Front Spar helps. I believe the CGS Hawk has one of the Highest MTOW at 800 lbs.

 

[cluttonfred]

Useful inspiration, thanks much for posting that!

 

[pwood66889]

Thanks, Greg; indeed useful. Wonder if anyone is in a position to share the plans for that wing?

 

[karmarepair]

Thanks, Greg; indeed useful. Wonder if anyone is in a position to share the plans for that wing?

There are several previous threads on this design, one of which noted "there never were plans, only assembly drawings"

 

[WINGITIS]

This picture shows the wing and associated struts:

 

[challenger_II]

Recently, I have seen a pair of Nomads for sale. Either Barnstormer's, or Craig's List. Oklahoma/Arkansas area.

 

[llemon]

Isn't this mostly the same issue as a normal tube spar? Ie too little mass where you want it and a bunch where you don't?

As for best it all comes down to what you want to do... but I like the Eurcoupe wing covered in oratex for my project.

 

[wsimpso1]

Define best. I like to educate people on how WEIGHT IS THE ENEMY, so for me, best wing is one that meets your mission at lowest weight for the whole system.

 

[karmarepair]

Isn't this mostly the same issue as a normal tube spar? Ie too little mass where you want it and a bunch where you don't?

Not NEARLY as bad as a single tube spar, which has mass at the centroid of the tube where it does you no good except buckling resistance.

It may not be as structurally efficient as the "idea" beam spar, but it's "constructable".

 

[pwood66889]

"Define best. I like to educate people on how WEIGHT IS THE ENEMY..."
Yes, WSimpson, but not the only one. Numerous examples exist about beating "THE ENEMY" but falling to the next one (or 2 or 10) in line.

'It may not be as structurally efficient as the "idea(l?)" beam spar, but it is "constructable." '
Good point, Karm. Brings to mind the glories of "unotrainium," and why all aircraft are not made of such...

 

[TFF]

Best designed. I think the real dream is a wing pops out of thin air. Next would be throw stuff on the ground and it all joins into a wing. Farm yard parts designed wing. Light weight with perfect amounts of strength at any location ? Aww, bless your little heart. That would require effort.

 

[ToddK]

The sport hornet had a similar wing design. Very sturdy. One key benefit is the smaller tubing is much more available. I suspended work on my own design when I could not get the 3" OD tube spars locally.

The problem with a built up tube/gusset spar is the fabrication of all the little bits, and drilling all the spars in the right spot so it all goes together.

In that past that meant a whole bunch of large jigs. Now with the right kind of CNC tooling, it could be automated to save time and labor. CNC tube cutting, drilling, and bending are now all possible with commercial, and/or DIY machines.

 

[challenger_II]

Ok, and for another example of the stacked tube spar design: Hawker Hart/Fury/Demon. Seemed Sidney Camm liked the idea.

 

[WINGITIS]

The Germans thought this was a fairly simple design almost 100 years ago!

It did work....

Airfoil was I believe a GOE.

 

[WINGITIS]

More on the V1 wing structure.

 

[skyguynca]

Thanks, Greg; indeed useful. Wonder if anyone is in a position to share the plans for that wing?

yes
I not only have the plans for those wings, I have 2 new unbuilt kits and one set of wings needing repair

David M.
San Jose, CA

 

[TLAR]

Skyguynca

I would like to get a copy of the plans.
Happy to purchase a set.
I doubt they are in an electronic format, but paper is great
[email protected]
Thanks for your help

 

[Dillpickle]

yes
I not only have the plans for those wings, I have 2 new unbuilt kits and one set of wings needing repair

David M.
San Jose, CA

Wing kits, or whole ultralight kits?