I've been searching and trying to decide on a 2-place LSA project. In my wandering on the internet, I found the T-100D ultralight. It's a pretty cool design, and a thought popped into my noggin (which my wife would tell you can be dangerous).
The T-100D is a wood airplane designed to come in under the 254 pound Part 103 limit. Would there be a general rule-of-thumb for scaling such an airplane up to make it a two-place with around a 100 HP powerplant? Such as, if the dimensions were generally increased by 50% (as an example), would the increased dimensions of the spars, longerons, etc. result in a proportional increase in strength?
With the design weight of 254 pounds, if scaling it up and adding a bigger motor added 350 pounds (to 600#), but the added strength allowed the gross to go up to the LSA limit, it could be a very nice cruising ship for two.
You've probably discerned that I'm not an engineer, nor do I play one in the movies. I just get ideas, but don't have the math skills to take them anywhere. If nothing else, it could lead to an edifying discussion...
Link to T-100D info:
T-100D Mariah - Adams Aero
The T-100D is a wood airplane designed to come in under the 254 pound Part 103 limit. Would there be a general rule-of-thumb for scaling such an airplane up to make it a two-place with around a 100 HP powerplant? Such as, if the dimensions were generally increased by 50% (as an example), would the increased dimensions of the spars, longerons, etc. result in a proportional increase in strength?
With the design weight of 254 pounds, if scaling it up and adding a bigger motor added 350 pounds (to 600#), but the added strength allowed the gross to go up to the LSA limit, it could be a very nice cruising ship for two.
You've probably discerned that I'm not an engineer, nor do I play one in the movies. I just get ideas, but don't have the math skills to take them anywhere. If nothing else, it could lead to an edifying discussion...
Link to T-100D info:
T-100D Mariah - Adams Aero