Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater
The idea of building an airplane hasn't gone away entirely. I was struck by the idea again recently, and looked around a little bit. Since I didn't stick strictly to my prejudice about building an all-wood design, I came across the Sherwood Ranger, which is an aluminum and wood design.
The key trick to the Ranger is that its wings really fold. No rigging, no re-attaching stuff. You pull four pins and swing 'em back. You're done. Setting it up again is the opposite -- pull them forward, insert pins, done. Now that's my kind of setup!
I was thinking, previously, about building a biplane that would fold up, that's nothing new. The problem is that every other design I've come across has a folding process which takes 30 minutes, and involves re-attaching controls, tension wires, electrical wires, etc. It's an involved-enough process that it would quickly become a mental barrier to flying, and it would either languish in a garage, or I'd end up blowing $300+ per month on a hanger for the plane.
The Ranger is no more of a travellin' plane than anything else I've been considering. Its economy cruise speed is 60 mph, and max cruise is around 85. Climb is impressive, though, and its payload is actualy more than its empty weight. Being a two-seater with 460 lbs payload capacity, it's actually got enough weight-room for me and another person and a couple gallons of gas.
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much expertise about it available on the web, although I'm sure a few of them must have been built in the US. Unfortunately again, the kit maker is in the UK, and our exchange rate is terrible right now. I wouldn't do anything about it in any case for a year or so, but it does mean that purchase and shipping would be expensive.
So, it's interesting to have found such an appealing kit. I'll have to see if I still find it interesting when I'm in a better position to start such a large project.
Posted at 00:16 permanent link category: /aviation
Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater