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Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 7:41 am
by 4535jacks
I would like to slowly design an ultralight but wonder why we don't see more home designs flying in the UK?

Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 8:02 pm
by Ian Melville
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.

Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 8:33 am
by tnowak
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

Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 11:48 am
by 4535jacks
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.

Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 8:22 am
by Ian Melville
Gary, have you considered going to RAeS Advanced Design of Light Aircraft Conference? 14th Nov

http://www.aerosociety.com/Events/Event ... t-Aircraft

Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 4:58 pm
by 4535jacks
Ian, not I hadn't but I am sure I can swing it as CPD at work and get release to attend!

Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 1:25 pm
by ian herdis
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.

Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:09 pm
by Adrian Corcoran
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 .

Re: Is designing an aircraft a realistic goal

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 5:01 pm
by javed
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.