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| So I've been building an ultralight |
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| danny_galaga:
--- Quote from: RandyT on December 19, 2022, 12:02:19 am --- --- Quote from: danny_galaga on December 18, 2022, 08:04:29 pm ---You could definitely put that engine in a small ultralight. How reliable it would be is a different matter. Rotax got into the aircraft game because in the 80's when ultralights we're still a new thing people were using whatever they could get their hands on. From go kart motors to largechsinsaw engines. Rotax made two strokes for snow mobiles etc which turned out to be a good match. --- End quote --- Not sure if it's true, but I also heard that some Rotax engines were shown to be so reliable that they were actually approved by the FAA for ultralight use. I had a couple of rough looking sleds I planned to fix up which had good running Rotax engines. When I decided that I didn't like cold, I seriously considered pulling and selling just the motors because, to the right person, they were worth more than the sleds. So, has anyone heard of someone crazy enough to use one of the HF Predator 20hp 2-cyl engines in an ultralight? Being a Honda clone, they are surprisingly decent. But you wouldn't catch me leaving the ground with one. I think geared-down 2-strokes would be better. Not much to talk about on the low-end, but when they get up into their power band, they can be insane relative to size and weight. I had a 2-stroke, 3-cyl Kawasaki bike in my younger days, that I wish I kept. Then again, if I did, I might not still be here to talk about it :) --- End quote --- Because it's in a different class of rules, I'm pretty sure the FAA have nothing to say about choice of engine. In fact, Rotax stopped making their 2 stroke airplane motors recently, which always had the disclaimer that they didn't meet regulations and it was up to you what you did with it. I think the rules are simpler for ultralights because you can't cause as much havoc in an accident and also to encourage new ideas. Just had a look at that Predator engine. That would work well in a microlight for sure. I think the class in the USA is called Part 103. You might use a belt drive to reduce the propeller speed 🙂 https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aviation-interests/ultralights/getting-started-in-ultralight-flying/about-faa-part-103-for-ultralights |
| RandyT:
--- Quote from: danny_galaga on December 19, 2022, 08:08:07 pm ---I think the rules are simpler for ultralights because you can't cause as much havoc in an accident and also to encourage new ideas. Just had a look at that Predator engine. That would work well in a microlight for sure. I think the class in the USA is called Part 103. You might use a belt drive to reduce the propeller speed 🙂 https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aviation-interests/ultralights/getting-started-in-ultralight-flying/about-faa-part-103-for-ultralights --- End quote --- I guess so! There's more rules for flying a $50 drone than an ultralight :P |
| danny_galaga:
--- Quote from: RandyT on December 20, 2022, 02:24:14 am --- --- Quote from: danny_galaga on December 19, 2022, 08:08:07 pm ---I think the rules are simpler for ultralights because you can't cause as much havoc in an accident and also to encourage new ideas. Just had a look at that Predator engine. That would work well in a microlight for sure. I think the class in the USA is called Part 103. You might use a belt drive to reduce the propeller speed 🙂 https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aviation-interests/ultralights/getting-started-in-ultralight-flying/about-faa-part-103-for-ultralights --- End quote --- I guess so! There's more rules for flying a $50 drone than an ultralight :P --- End quote --- Yep, for part 103 microlights you don't even need a licence 😲 There's no such category in Australia, so to fly that same microlight here needs and ultralight licence, which is similar to GA (general aviation) but with some restrictions- only one passenger, much lower weight, no aerobatics or night flying etc. |
| danny_galaga:
The 'control panel' is nearly done 🙂 |
| pbj:
If you crash and die can I have your didgeridoo? |
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