So I've been building an ultralight

[danny_galaga]

https://dannygalaga.blogspot.com/2020/03/about-this-blog-my-adventures-in.html?m=1

This has taken away virtually all my gaming time, including C64 projects I had going.

But if I ever finish this thing, it will make for some fun aerial 'road trips' 

[wp34]

That's really cool Danny.  I've always been fascinated with Ultralites as well.  Keep us posted on your progress.

[danny_galaga]

Yeah like I say I've been fascinated with ultralights since I was about 15. Longer really, because I loved the movie 'Those magnificent men in their flying machines' and at least one of those aircraft (Demoiselle) would now be considered an ultralight.

The Bushcat is not like the ultralights I used to dream of but it will be a hell of a lot more practical

[pbj]

I used to see a guy flying around in a go kart strapped to a parachute.  Looked fun.

Do they make an ultra lite that can fly with a 400lb passenger?

[danny_galaga]

Yes and no. If this 400lb person learns to fly they can fly in a Bushcat with a 75lb passenger

[Howard_Casto]

What if we only put one butt cheek in the seat?   

[whammoed]

Very exciting and ambitious.  I see one issue though.  That garage is too clean.

[DaOld Man]

Good side project there Danny_galaga. Looks like it will be a lot of fun.

[danny_galaga]

Good side project there Danny_galaga. Looks like it will be a lot of fun.

It will be fun when it's finished 

I really haven't enjoyed building it as much as I thought I would. Right now being the exception, because I am working on the control panel, err instrument panel 

[Howard_Casto]

You are using airplane grade screws and stuff aren't you?  We'd prefer it if you don't die. 

[danny_galaga]

I'm using what's supplied in the kit. The most critical bits are aircraft grade and the rest is whatever. For instance the brakes are from Matco who have been making aircraft parts for maybe 100 years. But the choke lever is a bicycle gear shifter.

Anyway, I'll put a four leaf clover in it somewhere. What could go wrong 

[danny_galaga]

He's amongst the big boys now

https://dannygalaga.blogspot.com/2020/08/21-big-move.html?m=0

[pbj]

Have you flown it yet?

 I think about this project from time to time, and what I’d do in case of a malfunction.  I suppose panic just enough to make it look like I half heartedly cared whether or not it crashed. 

I’m hopeful this isn’t a suicidal mission in slow motion....

 

[nitrogen_widget]

He's amongst the big boys now

https://dannygalaga.blogspot.com/2020/08/21-big-move.html?m=0

Damn.
You built an airplane faster than I tiled my shower.

[bobbyb13]

He's amongst the big boys now

https://dannygalaga.blogspot.com/2020/08/21-big-move.html?m=0

Damn.
You built an airplane faster than I tiled my shower.

The girls just asked me what I'm laughing so hard about.

This project is awesome.
There is a small airstrip 3 miles down the road from me and I see a lot of small airtraffic as a result.

Really looks fun!

[danny_galaga]

Have you flown it yet?

 I think about this project from time to time, and what I’d do in case of a malfunction.  I suppose panic just enough to make it look like I half heartedly cared whether or not it crashed. 

I’m hopeful this isn’t a suicidal mission in slow motion....

 

 

The main things that would give me the willies is a structural malfunction. Engine failure is not so bad. I read a good article once about what to do in unusual situations (engine failure is pretty straight forward) like what if the ailerons got stuck while you were rolling. Sharper people than me have gotten out of situations where I'd just think 'oh, well. This is how it ends'...

[Vocalitus]

Looks like a nice project.

Just don't end up like James Horner.

[danny_galaga]

Looks like a nice project.

Just don't end up like James Horner.

Had to look that up. He was flying a pretty powerful aircraft. Power is not a thing I'm going to have to wrestle with in my ultralight 

[Grasshopper]

Danny, I realise this might sound silly, but can you fly?

[Stingray]

You rule, Dan.

[danny_galaga]

Danny, I realise this might sound silly, but can you fly?

I believe I can fly 

[danny_galaga]

Still working on it 

[Vocalitus]

Still working on it 

Still working on what? - lets see some progress pictures.

I hear horse glue is better than goat glue so use that on the wings.

[danny_galaga]

Well I put the hinges on the sub door frames. So there's that.. Also starting to think about buying the engine now. Just as well because I've been saving rubber bands but I think it would be a PITA to wind up

[bobbyb13]

What exactly do you put in one of these for an engine anyway?

I would imagine you won't get enough altitude to have major issues with oxygen percentages...
Or will you?

Now I'm thinking about it, what type/octane fuel (assuming no need for a turbocharger-)

I love this project

[Vocalitus]

Well I put the hinges on the sub door frames. So there's that.. Also starting to think about buying the engine now. Just as well because I've been saving rubber bands but I think it would be a PITA to wind up

Electric engines perhaps?

https://aerospace.honeywell.com/us/en/learn/products/electric-power

[danny_galaga]

There are now some electric options, And a company named Pipistrel actually sell electric aircraft, but it's all way beyond my price range. And the range is not enough since we plan on doing a bit of touring in this thing if I ever finish it.

Most popular engine for ultralights now (as opposed to microlights, which are smaller and are what ultralights were in the 80's) is the Rotax 912. It's about 1.2 litres. 100 HP. Twin carb or fuel injected. You can also get a turbo charged version. But why make it more complicated. Bobby, most ultralights are capable of going over ten thousand feet. But the licence I converted to actually restricts ME to ten thousand 😄 highest I've ever flown was 8000, which was easy. But low and slow is more fun 😎

[bobbyb13]

Gets chilly at 10k ft I bet!

Thanks for sharing this project here.

Stoked to learn some about this stuff through your efforts!

[danny_galaga]

Fitting windscreen and left door. Damn hard to see out that screen though