Two place, folding wing, historic homebuilt

[[email protected]]

I know, the question has been already asked before, but I am looking
for suggestions on a plans-built, two place, folding wing design which
has some history behind it. I am starting up an experimental aircraft
museum, and am looking for a project to build in the museum as a
demonstration, as well as to fly later.

The folding wing requirement is there because the FBO nazis on our
field won't allow an airworthy aircraft in the museum, without paying
hangar rent, due to their noncompete contract. The aircraft will live
in my garage 1/2 mile away from the airfield when I am not
using/demonstrating it.

Thanks!

Drew

[Ron Wanttaja]

On 19 Jun 2005 07:33:31 -0700, wrote:

>I know, the question has been already asked before, but I am looking
>for suggestions on a plans-built, two place, folding wing design which
>has some history behind it. I am starting up an experimental aircraft
>museum, and am looking for a project to build in the museum as a
>demonstration, as well as to fly later.

Spezio Tuholer:

http://www.tuholer.com/speziotuholer.htm

It was a contestant in the 1962 EAA Design Contest.

Stits Playmate

http://www.eaa301.org/projects/JayBeeWeller.html

Classic Leroy Stits design.

Ron Wanttaja

[[email protected]]

Those are some truly interesting designs. I have to admit, I've never
looked for a folding wing aircraft, as I'd planned on storing my
aircraft at the airport. Unfortunately, our local FBO has built a new
building with hangars, and jacked up the prices on Ts. At the same
time, they are tearing down 20-30 of the affordable T hangars as being
"unsightly".

[[email protected]]

wrote:
>
> ...
>
> The folding wing requirement is there because the FBO nazis on our
> field won't allow an airworthy aircraft in the museum, without paying
> hangar rent, due to their noncompete contract. The aircraft will live
> in my garage 1/2 mile away from the airfield when I am not
> using/demonstrating it.
>

Hmm, would easily removable (and reinstallable) be just as acceptable?

If so, you could make one fake wing for the museum display and just
keep one real wing in your garage at home. When you wan to fly, pick
up the airplane, swing by your house, swap wings and off you go.
For that matter, the display wing could be left partly or wholly
uncovered as part of the display.

The airplane you keep at the museum would not be airworthy. Or
wil they be prissy and insist it not have an airworthyness cert?

Just don't mix up the two sets of wings when you go flying.

--

FF

[[email protected]]

I like the way you think. That is creative, and the unairworthy wing
could be a continuous "project". I will discreetly check on this.

I suppose any aircraft with an easily removeable wing would work....

[[email protected]]

wrote:
> I like the way you think. That is creative, and the unairworthy wing
> could be a continuous "project". I will discreetly check on this.
>
> I suppose any aircraft with an easily removeable wing would work....

If that logic works, any aircraft that can easily be made un-airworthy
would work. If you take it to the extreme, just pulling a cotter pin
would be enough. Or just taking the airworthyness cert.

They (the evil ones) would probably want more than that, though. How
about removing the prop? Or the joystick, the oil pressure and
temperature gage, and the pilot's seat?

[10kDA]

Drew,

I would look for a different location for the museum. To have to deal with this sort of chickens**t now from the FBO indicates more will probably come in the future, which does not bode well for future growth. Check out EAA's list of chapters in your area and see if there is any interest in doing what you are trying to do at a different airport, or even a location near the airport. It's going to get harder to access airports in the future so an off-airport (outside the fence) museum may be a better location anyway.

10kDA

I know, the question has been already asked before, but I am looking
for suggestions on a plans-built, two place, folding wing design which
has some history behind it. I am starting up an experimental aircraft
museum, and am looking for a project to build in the museum as a
demonstration, as well as to fly later.

The folding wing requirement is there because the FBO nazis on our
field won't allow an airworthy aircraft in the museum, without paying
hangar rent, due to their noncompete contract. The aircraft will live
in my garage 1/2 mile away from the airfield when I am not
using/demonstrating it.

Thanks!

Drew

[CB]

Why a 2-place? There are a number of single-place designs with
removable or folding wings. Bowers Fly Baby, VP-1, Thorp 18...
The Emeraude has an option for removeable wings though it's a
non-trivial operation (ask Cap'n Rich S. about THAT!).

As far as rendering the aircraft unairworthy, a piece of duct tape over
the pitot tube would do it. I like the idea of pocketing the
airworthiness cert, though. :-D

[Montblack]

"CB"
> Why a 2-place? There are a number of single-place designs with
> removable or folding wings. Bowers Fly Baby, VP-1, Thorp 18...
> The Emeraude has an option for removeable wings though it's a
> non-trivial operation (ask Cap'n Rich S. about THAT!).


From what I saw at Google, Thorp 18's are a 2-place design.

http://www.t18.net/about.htm

http://www.pilotfriend.com/experimental/9/Thorp%20T18.htm

http://www.eaa23.org/pr-bob.htm


Montblack

[CB]

*hangs head in shame* That's what I get for relying on memory...

[gilan]

Here is a plane with some history.
http://www.mitchellwing.com/meadowlake.htm
--

--
Have a good day and stay out of the trees!
See ya on Sport Aircraft group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/





> wrote ..
>I know, the question has been already asked before, but I am looking
> for suggestions on a plans-built, two place, folding wing design which
> has some history behind it. I am starting up an experimental aircraft
> museum, and am looking for a project to build in the museum as a
> demonstration, as well as to fly later.
>
> The folding wing requirement is there because the FBO nazis on our
> field won't allow an airworthy aircraft in the museum, without paying
> hangar rent, due to their noncompete contract. The aircraft will live
> in my garage 1/2 mile away from the airfield when I am not
> using/demonstrating it.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Drew
>

[wright1902glider]

How about an Air Camper with a 3-peice wing? Leave one outboard pannel
attached, them make 2 of the one you intend to remove. Cover and finish
one as normal. Make the other out of cheaper wood and leave it
uncovered. It would make a pretty good display, and would definately be
un-airworthy. Folks can see what the inside of a wood wing looks like,
and when you want to go flying, just swap out the pannels.

Where's the museum gonna be located?

Harry

[Richard Lamb]

wright1902glider wrote:

> How about an Air Camper with a 3-peice wing? Leave one outboard pannel
> attached, them make 2 of the one you intend to remove. Cover and finish
> one as normal. Make the other out of cheaper wood and leave it
> uncovered. It would make a pretty good display, and would definately be
> un-airworthy. Folks can see what the inside of a wood wing looks like,
> and when you want to go flying, just swap out the pannels.
>
> Where's the museum gonna be located?
>
> Harry
>

There is a really clever folding wing hinge set up on the BD-4.
It always seems like the right approach to me.
Adaptable...

The book isn't here, so I can't scan it, bit basically, it has a
telescoping hinge meca that bolts to the main spar and a hard point
on the airframe.

The wing slips straight "in" ot "out" of place on the telescoping part,
then rotates about the scope and folds back on the hinge pin part.

A little welding and aluminum machining to make the parts.