View Full Version : homebuilt glider question
Stealth Pilot
July 9th 06, 12:36 PM
Guys
I defer to the knowledge of regular glider flyers in this matter.
my son is involved in gliding I am involved in powered homebuilding.
is there a wooden glider design or perhaps tube and fabric design that
has reasonable performance, that plans are available for, and can
handle the speeds of being towed aloft behind a pawnee.
the design must be something that a beginner soloing in a puchatec
could handle.
any designs that come to mind or am I wasting time considering this
avenue?
I have in mind the old australian design the "kookaburra" but I dont
know if plans are available.
Stealth Pilot
Australia
Doug Hoffman
July 9th 06, 02:00 PM
Stealth Pilot wrote:
> Guys
> I defer to the knowledge of regular glider flyers in this matter.
> my son is involved in gliding I am involved in powered homebuilding.
>
> is there a wooden glider design or perhaps tube and fabric design that
> has reasonable performance, that plans are available for, and can
> handle the speeds of being towed aloft behind a pawnee.
>
> the design must be something that a beginner soloing in a puchatec
> could handle.
>
> any designs that come to mind or am I wasting time considering this
> avenue?
The Maupin/Culver WoodStock (plans built only) would be perhaps
perfect. Problem is the Maupin family no longer offers the plans. Jim
Maupin and Irv Culver are no longer alive. I believe the family was
scared away from providing any of Jim and Irv's plans due to one person
raising a stink about problems he had with a (different) Maupin/Culver
design. However, if you search hard you may be able to find someone
with plans they would sell. By all accounts it is a great little
glider and can easily handle the towplanes.
Regards,
-Doug
Bill Daniels
July 9th 06, 02:08 PM
I'd suggest the Marske Pioneer IID. The construction is inexpensive,
strong, wood/fabric/steel tube construction with modest (~34:1) performance.
The handling is extremely benign being virtually impossible to stall or
spin - excellent for a new pilot. See: http://www.marskeaircraft.com/
Bill Daniels
"Stealth Pilot" > wrote in message
...
>
> Guys
> I defer to the knowledge of regular glider flyers in this matter.
> my son is involved in gliding I am involved in powered homebuilding.
>
> is there a wooden glider design or perhaps tube and fabric design that
> has reasonable performance, that plans are available for, and can
> handle the speeds of being towed aloft behind a pawnee.
>
> the design must be something that a beginner soloing in a puchatec
> could handle.
>
> any designs that come to mind or am I wasting time considering this
> avenue?
>
> I have in mind the old australian design the "kookaburra" but I dont
> know if plans are available.
> Stealth Pilot
> Australia
I would agree with Doug, the Woodstock is an excellent choice. A
partially completed Woodstock project was recently on Ebay with plans
but didn't sell. The link still works and you might still be able to
buy it if you contact the seller. Try this link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Woodstock-sailplane-progect_W0QQitemZ300000446989QQihZ020QQcategoryZ63 679QQcmdZViewItem
I've had a blast flying the Woodstock built by Bob Wander. Photos and
some flight reports can be seen at this link:
http://members.aol.com/woodglider/matt.htm
Good luck!
Matt Michael
> The Maupin/Culver WoodStock (plans built only) would be perhaps
> perfect. Problem is the Maupin family no longer offers the plans. Jim
> Maupin and Irv Culver are no longer alive. I believe the family was
> scared away from providing any of Jim and Irv's plans due to one person
> raising a stink about problems he had with a (different) Maupin/Culver
> design. However, if you search hard you may be able to find someone
> with plans they would sell. By all accounts it is a great little
> glider and can easily handle the towplanes.
>
> Regards,
>
> -Doug
snoop
July 9th 06, 04:23 PM
There is a real nice Woodstock for sale, by a member of the Texas
Soaring Association. I believe it is listed in the Classifieds, in
Soaring magazine. I've flown this glider, and was impressed with its
performance, looks, and comfort. Here is the ad. Lots of pix.
> GuysWoodstock, 1st flight 9/2000, 58 hrs TT, glass pilot said if flies like a small glass ship, does fly & handle like a Russia at a fraction of the cost. Custom open trailer, sports canopy, wing & tail dolly, stored in garage. $4,500. Drexel 972-296-5380. TX
Website: Posted: 6/8/2006.
> I defer to the knowledge of regular glider flyers in this matter.
> my son is involved in gliding I am involved in powered homebuilding.
>
> is there a wooden glider design or perhaps tube and fabric design that
> has reasonable performance, that plans are available for, and can
> handle the speeds of being towed aloft behind a pawnee.
>
> the design must be something that a beginner soloing in a puchatec
> could handle.
>
> any designs that come to mind or am I wasting time considering this
> avenue?
>
> I have in mind the old australian design the "kookaburra" but I dont
> know if plans are available.
> Stealth Pilot
> Australia
Mal[_1_]
July 9th 06, 09:47 PM
"Stealth Pilot" > wrote in message
...
>
> Guys
> I defer to the knowledge of regular glider flyers in this matter.
> my son is involved in gliding I am involved in powered homebuilding.
>
> is there a wooden glider design or perhaps tube and fabric design that
> has reasonable performance, that plans are available for, and can
> handle the speeds of being towed aloft behind a pawnee.
>
> the design must be something that a beginner soloing in a puchatec
> could handle.
>
> any designs that come to mind or am I wasting time considering this
> avenue?
>
> I have in mind the old australian design the "kookaburra" but I dont
> know if plans are available.
> Stealth Pilot
> Australia
Stealth I have flown the Kookaburra its a two seater.
There is a KA6CR for sale its wood and fabric for $9.000
Have to go to work I will post later.
Mal
www.mals.net
Mal[_1_]
July 10th 06, 11:39 AM
http://www.gfa.org.au/museum/downloads/ThefFyerBackPage.pdf
http://www.aus-soaring.on.net/absaght.htm
http://www.aus-soaring.on.net/glidingsa_75th/narrative.htm
Stealth Pilot
July 10th 06, 03:06 PM
On 9 Jul 2006 06:18:01 -0700, wrote:
>I would agree with Doug, the Woodstock is an excellent choice. A
>partially completed Woodstock project was recently on Ebay with plans
>but didn't sell. The link still works and you might still be able to
>buy it if you contact the seller. Try this link:
>
>
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Woodstock-sailplane-progect_W0QQitemZ300000446989QQihZ020QQcategoryZ63 679QQcmdZViewItem
>
>I've had a blast flying the Woodstock built by Bob Wander. Photos and
>some flight reports can be seen at this link:
>
>http://members.aol.com/woodglider/matt.htm
>
>Good luck!
>
>Matt Michael
>
>> The Maupin/Culver WoodStock (plans built only) would be perhaps
>> perfect. Problem is the Maupin family no longer offers the plans. Jim
>> Maupin and Irv Culver are no longer alive. I believe the family was
>> scared away from providing any of Jim and Irv's plans due to one person
>> raising a stink about problems he had with a (different) Maupin/Culver
>> design. However, if you search hard you may be able to find someone
>> with plans they would sell. By all accounts it is a great little
>> glider and can easily handle the towplanes.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> -Doug
the woodstock is certainly a candidate. it looks like a suave little
glider.
being on the other side of the world makes the concept dependent on
plans.
thanks guys the suggestions have given me a lot of heart that this
would be a viable project. without an engine it would be as cheap an
aviation project to complete as you could imagine.
Stealth Pilot
Australia
Stealth Pilot
July 10th 06, 03:27 PM
On Mon, 10 Jul 2006 10:39:56 GMT, "Mal" > wrote:
>http://www.gfa.org.au/museum/downloads/ThefFyerBackPage.pdf
>
>http://www.aus-soaring.on.net/absaght.htm
>
>http://www.aus-soaring.on.net/glidingsa_75th/narrative.htm
>
>
the boomerang is probably the design I'm thinking of. it was a single
seater with a glorious spruce smell ...which strikes me as odd now
since spruce has no smell :-)
an item in the first reference bought back memories. back in the 70's
the bunn brothers of albury had a hutter 17. as I recall it had a Vne
5 knots slower than the stall speed of the tug plane but it seemed to
handle the overspeed on tow well.
as I recall it is the only aircraft I have ever felt strongly
claustrophobic in. never got to fly it though.
interesting food for thought.
Stealth Pilot
Mal[_1_]
July 10th 06, 09:40 PM
Winch launch her Stealth http://www.mals.net/centralcoast/pages/DSC00471.htm
When I was in Brisvagus at Archy in Nigels hanger there were a few small
wooden glider projects going on they were keen and knowledgeable.
http://www.flyingfighters.com.au/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=1101&page_id=4
Tom Gilbert is also a good place for help http://www.tandjsailplanes.com/
What state do you live in do you get the soaring Australia magazine ?
www.mals.net
Just spoted a K7 for sale $10.500 AUD
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