Light Aircraft Association

Steve is correct. The system uses a 'wasted spark'. In simple terms (if the thing is running correctly) all four plugs in the front two cylinders spark when they are appropriately near TDC followed by all four plugs in the rear cylinders 180 degrees later. I think you will find that if you take the ...

Why no GPS? The rules are the same - MTOW under 1000KG. Simple. Get on with it. Henshaw (for whom I have the highest admiration) used every trick in the 1930's book to make his record flight. I'm sure he would have used GPS had it been available then. There is no reason seven decades later not to do...

MDF1 You will also need to make sure your inspector is cleared for engine builds.... Not all of them are. There are various fuel injection systems around for the VW engine but non, other than the unavailable Barry Smith system, which are LAA approved. I know one or two people are thinking about elec...

I'm not going to get drawn in to which engine is best, but to answer the original question: If you want a cheap reliable and very simple VW conversion go for an 1843 Great Plains and build it exactly as per the instruction book. You can fit an accessory case if you want but if lightweight is the rea...

You will have to ask the LLA Engineering for a definitive answer, but I would guess you are correct in that the Nipper has never been approved as a home-built whilst numerous other single seaters (VP1, Luton, Turbulent etc.) have. You are indeed correct about the excellence of the design of the Nipp...

I'm not sure the LAA ever really did allow home-built Nippers. My Nipper has a PFA build number but in reality is nothing more than the amalgamation of two damaged factory-built aircraft into one. I suspect the other eight you have found may have a similar history. Quite why the new aircraft did not...

Try http://www.speedycables.co.uk/

After a moderate period without use (six weeks), my VW engine was hard to start and ran roughly. Inspection of the carburettor revealed small, soft yellow/brown particles roughly the size of small sugar grains inside. There was also a yellow/brown residue on the ends of the needles. The engine has b...

I flew from Southampton to Nottingham for a meeting on Tuesday in my Tipsy Nipper. 1h20 on the way there, 2h40 on the way back! Fun, but slow aircraft are very susceptible to head winds! For summer VFR I find it much less stressful than driving, though in reality not much quicker. I charge my employ...

Not strictly on topic, but I need all the metal bits for a Jodel 1050 fuselage. If anyone can help PM me.

Thanks

I changed the 54"x34" Ken Fern prop on my Tipsy Nipper for a 56"x34" Chris Lodge and it climbed faster, cruised faster and used less fuel......

In simple terms, the blades on the Ken Fern prop are too thick. It uses lots of power dragging itself round and has not a lot left to pull you along.

Tips: Keep it simple. The most important one is do not put in any mods with you application for a PTT.

In general, make sure the documentation is complete and totally self explanitory. Give all the information you need to and nothing you don't. Don't trip up on anything obvious.

Alan All this kind of data can be 'reduced' to ISA conditions. I use "Homebuilt Aerodynamics and Flight Testing" by Sonja Englert as my guide (you can buy a copy from the PFA shop). In order to reduce your data we also need to know the density altitude (or the actual altitude flown and the altimeter...

The benefits of the warranty should not be under rated. I owned mine for a year before I used it in anger (it's a long story) and six months later the receiver became sluggish in acquiring satellites. I took it back to Garmin who replaced the whole thing no questions asked. In my experience of deali...

I am also a 96C user. Without going over the above again, excellent and highly recommended.