Thorp T-18

[Mike Freeman]

Hi

I have been looking at the T-18 and noticed it is on the approved aircraft list but not cleared by the LAA for aerobatics. Is there a particular reason for this as I believe it is thought to be in the same category as the RV in the USA?

Is there a particular problem with the design or has it just not been put through the process yet? If the latter what would be required by a builder to get it cleared?

Also I would be interested to hear from any T-18 owners as I would like to see one in the flesh if possible.

Regards

Mike

[Brian Hope]

Hi Mike, I'm not sure that the T18 was ever designed to be aerobatic and my guess is that if you wanted to get it approved for aeros in the UK it would be a major task. The type may well have been approved here on its service record in the US, rather than by stress analysis, and if that's the case you would need to provide a stress analysis to show that it met appropriate load factors - typically +6 -3G. As John Thorp was the designer, there is a possibility that some stress calcs exist somewhere. That people may aerobat them in the US is, I'm afraid, nothing to go by.
You'll have to talk with Engineering to see what they know about the strength of the design and what possibility there is that it can be cleared for aeros.

[Mike Freeman]

Thanks Brian,

For info I have just spoken with Engineering and they have told me there is no way it would ever be cleared for aerobatics.

Are there any 2 seat plans built metal aircraft that are cleared for aeros?

Regards

Mike

[Brian Hope]

Hi Mike, unfortunately there are few metal plans built designs, let alone aerobatic ones, and there are no two seat metal aerobatic designs on the LAA approved list. Single seat you have the Andreasson BA4B but I do not know whether plans are still available. I believe the Midget Mustang is approved for aeros but you'd have to check. Otherwise I think you're into steel tube/wooden wing single and two seats in the main, with the odd all wood machine like the single seat One Design.