Help needed with SSDRs

For discussion on all aspects of the Single Seat De-Regulated, sub 115kg microlight aircraft category.


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A Bleese
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Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:40 pm

Help needed with SSDRs

Post by A Bleese » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:58 pm

I'm trying to put together a list of possible SSDRs and, off the top of my head, can think of the following:

Affordaplane
Hart Bird
Zipster Biplane
Legal Eagle
ZJ Vierra
Dream Classic
GSAL Fokker Eindecker
Escapade Kid

soon to be joined by:

e-Go
CM Microlights unnamed SSDR

So, what can anyone else add to the possibilities?

Brian Hope
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Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:28 pm
Location: Sheerness Kent

Post by Brian Hope » Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:01 am

Hi Adrian, the Zipster is actually an Ed Fisher design but may have been 'acquired' by Hart, I think Hart have an 'interesting' history. Ed has been around the US ultralight scene for many years and I met him once at Sun n Fun. His designs are well regarded and include the Flitplane and the Skylite (plans and parts available for both of them from Raceair Designs).
A few years ago an outfit called Ulravair cut down a flat six Corvair (a 60s/70s Chevy car) to a twin, basically similar to half VW engines. It never really caught on but in recent years William Wynne (of Corvair aero conversion fame) was going to take the project on and market some of the parts required in the two cylinder conversion, the idea being to work with Ed Fisher on making the Skylite a two cyl Chevy four stroke powered legal FAR103 ultralite. Unfortunately nothing seems to have progressed on that for some while so I guess the idea may well have died a death.

Bill McCarthy
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Location: Caithness

Post by Bill McCarthy » Sun Nov 14, 2010 1:29 pm

The Kolb Firefly has been mentioned a few times in our mag. I think there was a flight test report done some time ago. There are quite a few vids of various types on You tube.

Ian Melville
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Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:21 pm

Post by Ian Melville » Sun Nov 14, 2010 4:33 pm

Nov-Dec 2007 was the Firefly Article

Bi-Monthly, before anyone asks

A Bleese
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Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:40 pm

Post by A Bleese » Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:00 pm

Brian

You're spot on about the Zipster - designed by Ed Fisher, acquired by the interestingly historied Hart Aero but still one of the most gorgeous things I've seen within SSDR limits.

The Skylite looks interesting, too.
Last edited by A Bleese on Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

A Bleese
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Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:40 pm

Post by A Bleese » Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:04 pm

Oh, and the Backyard Flyer - that's a Part 103 aeroplane that might fit in.

Ian Melville
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Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:21 pm

Post by Ian Melville » Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:22 pm

A ?
Why don't you edit your first post to include the new additions? And perhaps indicate those that have been proved to meet SSDR rules?

[email protected]
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Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 6:06 pm

SSDR Designs

Post by [email protected] » Mon Nov 22, 2010 4:29 pm

Hi

I'm looking at the Ragwing designs from Roger Mann in the US. Particularly the Ragwing Parasol (aka Rag-a-muffin) - this design has been around for some time. I bought the plans from Roger Mann and he has been very quick to answer my questions about modifications to meet UK SSDR requirements.

These, as the name suggests, are predominantly wood/fabric construction and replicas of various classics. Worth a look.

A Bleese
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:40 pm

Post by A Bleese » Sat Nov 27, 2010 6:36 pm

So, we're up to:

Affordaplane
Hart Bird
Zipster Biplane
Legal Eagle
ZJ Vierra
Dream Classic
GSAL Fokker Eindecker
Escapade Kid
e-Go
CM Microlights unnamed SSDR
Skylite
Backyard Flyer
Ragwing Parasol
Kolb Firefly
T-100D Mariah

Any more to add? Anybody building any of these (those that are available as plans/kits, obviously) or anything else SSDR?

D. Evans
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Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:55 pm

Post by D. Evans » Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:18 pm

Spratt103, a French plans built aircraft. The designer confirmed to me last week that he is currently working on the latest set of plans which should be available soon
Starflyer, a German designwhich should be sub 115kgs without the chute. They have promised an English language website
Mike Sandlins 'Bloop' An American design based upon his foot launched gliders

D. Evans
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Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:55 pm

Post by D. Evans » Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:25 pm

Joe Kovaks 'Midge', the winner of the LAA simple sub 115 design competition. There was an article in the magazine about a year back with a photo showing the partially constructed aircraft, It would be nice to know if this is still progressing

Ian Melville
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Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:21 pm

Post by Ian Melville » Sun Nov 28, 2010 4:31 pm

I mentioned this to Brian Hope the other day, He was going to contact Joe for an update

Graham Clark
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Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:28 am

SSDR

Post by Graham Clark » Sun Dec 19, 2010 2:57 pm

Would not the basic variant of the Team MiniMax qualify?

Ian Melville
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Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:21 pm

Post by Ian Melville » Sun Dec 19, 2010 5:18 pm

IIRC the Mini-MAX and Hi-Max will, even for the most basic version, have to loose quite a bit of weight.
They do however do FAR103 legal versions called the "Max 103" and the "Ultralight Minimax"

Details http://www.jdtmini-max.com/ultralights.php

If school girls can build a Max 103 then there is hope for me yet :D

Brian Hope
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Location: Sheerness Kent

Post by Brian Hope » Sun Dec 19, 2010 5:35 pm

The Himax is a non starter, empty weight with a 447 is stated as 328 lbs and wing area 112.5, so even if you lost the 74lbs you'd still be shy of 12 sq ft of wing area The 1100F is quoted as 237lbs so its 112.5 wing area is pretty near the mark. Only problem is the Hirth F-33, not a company with the best of reputaions but Reality managed to get their Kid flying OK with it. One of the Kid's engine options, such as the 40p (claimed) Wankel might be a light enough substitute though.

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