Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Discussion of aircraft design, new designs and designing your own

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4535jacks
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Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Post by 4535jacks » Thu Aug 25, 2016 7:41 am

I would like to slowly design an ultralight but wonder why we don't see more home designs flying in the UK?
Gary Jackson
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Ian Melville
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Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Post by Ian Melville » Thu Aug 25, 2016 8:02 pm

I have considered this route as I have lots of ideas in my head I would like to put into a fresh design. However the more I learn about the process, there further away that goal seems to be.

If you want to avoid trial and error design, like it was in the early years of microlights, then you need a shed load of money and/or experience.

Impossible, no, but it ain't as easy as you think.
Ian Melville
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tnowak
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Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Post by tnowak » Fri Aug 26, 2016 8:33 am

Probably designing an ultralight is the easiest part of the process, if it remains on paper!
Converting that design into a flying machine is most likely the more challenging part.
Stress calculation, approvals, test builds, construction, proof loading, systems integration, testing, more testing and yet more testing.
As Ian said not impossible, but also far from easy.
Tony Nowak
Tony Nowak
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4535jacks
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Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Post by 4535jacks » Fri Aug 26, 2016 11:48 am

Thanks for the replies. I have an aeronautical degree and I am practicing mechanical engineer so the design side doesn't concern me too much. My bigger concern the LAA side of things and getting calcs signed off and testing. I see lots of cases of home designs being flown in the US but I guess their experimental category supports this better.
Gary Jackson
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Ian Melville
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Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Post by Ian Melville » Sun Aug 28, 2016 8:22 am

Gary, have you considered going to RAeS Advanced Design of Light Aircraft Conference? 14th Nov

http://www.aerosociety.com/Events/Event ... t-Aircraft
Ian Melville
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4535jacks
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Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Post by 4535jacks » Sun Aug 28, 2016 4:58 pm

Ian, not I hadn't but I am sure I can swing it as CPD at work and get release to attend!
Gary Jackson
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ian herdis
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Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Post by ian herdis » Mon Sep 11, 2017 1:25 pm

Hi. Garry

If you only need one seat then that category is deregulated. It will still need the same design and testing but you do not have to have any of that data approved by anyone.

Ian.
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Adrian Corcoran
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Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Post by Adrian Corcoran » Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:09 pm

My partner and I want to build a sling 4 having seen the one at Sywell. Are there any LAA struts in Northern Ireland. Would it be possible to build it in the South and assemble say in Enniskillen .

javed
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Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Post by javed » Thu Nov 30, 2017 5:01 pm

Hi Gary,
Did you get anywhere with this idea? I have been thinking about designing and building as well for a few months and would really like to give it a try. I am based in Hampshire (Popham & Thruxton). If you are local, let me know if you want to get together and try and to put something together.
Javed Rahman
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