Looking at RV-9A's specification (weight, engine, etc.), I think a Rotax 914 can power it very well, may give a better performance than O-235. However, the problem is Rotax is far to light to be installed on RV-9A. So I just can't help thinking, well, why not a new design around RV-9A's wing and...

Hans Conser wrote: Page 18 Feb issue of Flying: "FAA Certifies Auto Engine Conversion In November the FAA granted type certification to the Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) TAE 125-01 four cylinder aviation diesel engine. The

From the Sport Pilot final rule: "The FAA has reconsidered the circumstances in which a current and valid U.S. driver's license should be allowed in lieu of a valid airman medical certificate and has made substantive revisions to the medical provisions in the final rule. These revisions are based...

I am a studier of old designs. Does anyone know if there is a source for Bjorn Andreasson's plans? I am trying to locate info on the BA-6 specifically. A single seat wooden monoplane. Any pictures or websites featuring this plane would be appreciated. I can't find info on this model in the...

I was thumbing through a catalog from Speedway Motors. They advertise a magneto-type distributor. Assuming you didn't come across a thrashed race engine with magnetos, couldn't someone put together an engine worthy of aircraft use, by simply 1) ordering an aftermarket engine with fuel injection,...

As of 2009 Amateur aircraft builders are largely limited to various Volkswagen conversions. While such conversions may be as large as 140cid (2332cc) when using a Type I crankcase -- and up to 170cid (2884cc) if you begin with the heavier Type IV -- the SUSTAINABLE output of these engines is...

NAFI sent this alert to its members. Note the EAA concern about charity flights with vintage aircraft such as Aluminum Overcast: Instructional News FAA Proposes Flight-seeing Rule The FAA published on Oct. 22 a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that it claims will improve national air tour...

I'm at the point where I need to start collecting instruments so I can build the instrument panel. As always, I'm a bit shocked at the prices new or reconditioned instruments cost: The typical panel mount radio goes for around $900 to $1300 depending on how much power and features you want. ...

After a little research, I noticed there is a lot of float time difference between regular balloons and aluminum balloons. Is there an easy to obtain, very light material which will contain helium for a long time? I'm thinking the size of a beach ball or maybe a little larger. I don't mind fussing...

My aircraft radio doesn't go that high! Jim Weir wrote: Just a friendly reminder... The airborne simplex national calling frequency is the same as the ground frequency...146.520. This frequency also works well on the ground at Oshkosh. Rarely is it busy for more than a couple of...

C.D. Damron writes: For example, if I build a plane that is impossible to fly or a helicopter that cannot be auto-rotated, it is still very possible that an accident report could conclude that I was at fault for not avoiding a stall or not successfully performing an auto-rotation. Why? Because...

Ernest Christley misfired the following: I'm about halfway through this book. It is quite an eye opener. The author's explanations seem so insightful, cogent and complete. However, there's this one blemish. Printed in 1944, the author makes the claim that the rudder will disappear in just a...

What are the 400mA current sink superflags used for? I've got them on my Apollo equipment, but they only show hookups to older equipment.

Has anyone had any experience with the "gasflow" of VW engine to improve horsepower at lower RPM? ------------------------------------------------- If by 'gasflow' you mean volumetric efficiency, I've some experience in that area. I'll also assume your question hinges on the fact that maximum...

Hello everyone. I am attempting to find a suitable epoxy resin in SE Asia (Thailand specifically) for building a composite airplane. It doesn't appear that any recognized brands are sold here, however there are factories that produce epoxy of all kinds. However, in order to get the correct epoxy...

Most of the fabric covered aiplanes I've seen didn't seem that hard. That is, you could walk up to them and push the fabric in with your hand. The way I understand the fabric process, it is basically a composite structure. You have a nylon cloth with a paint "epoxy". Could a much stronger and...

Apart from the Quickie group of planes why aren't there more fast biplanes? The quickies aren't exactly biplanes I know. It would appear that 2 short wings can be built lighter than one long one since the moment arm is half as long for the shorter wing pair. No struts used because of drag, just...

Brad Hill's Tetra-15 made its first flight on 27 January 2012. The Tetra-15 is the first sailplane built from the HP-24 project development and tooling. Brad got lots of photos and even some video of the event. There are some pictures (soon to be more) on the HP-24 website and on the HP-24...

I noticed in another post that the Continental O-200 is back in new manufacture again. Are there any links to the price of the new engine and the specification differences between the old O-200 that I fly with and would like to replace and the new O-200 LSA engine? I spent an hour probing the TCM...

mignet's flea had an aerodynamic problem due to an unpredicted slot effect. this is from a british museum web site.... "Following a series of fatal accidents involving this type the French authorities banned its use in 1936 and wind tunnel tests revealed an aerodynamic flaw that could result in...