Goldwing Ultralight

What can you folks tell me about the Goldwing Ultralight made in 1981 at
Jackson California? Some friends received a 75% complete kit from the widow
of a deceased builder and have asked me to try and figure out what to do
with it. It looks as if the wings need to be built but most of everything
else is done. It has a Cuyuna 500cc motor and prop that was sold with the
kit some time ago. The motor have never run and must have some inherent
value, but one of my friends have heard more bad than good about the
Goldwing. Is it worth selling complete or scraping everything but the
engine? I'd like to deal with this as soon as possible as building season is
starting in California and I got a Velocity that needs my gentle touch on a
sanding board.

Dale Alexander
Paradise, Ca
Q88

The factory test pilot was killed when a wing folded. There was some issue
about the spar.

Regards,

One Sky Dog

I watched a Goldwing crash when the right wind failed on
a moderate g pullup. I was behind it after it flew overhead.
The spar was an aluminum tube inside a foam structure. It looked to fail
in bending about a foot outboard of the r/h attach points.
The pilot stayed in the fuse until impact and lived for a short time after
the crash.

I wouldn't trust one today after the structure has aged, lots of foam in
one.
I also wouldn't fly fast or pull hard in one. I'm also married and can find
much better
toys than what you were looking at.

Scott



"OneSkyDog" wrote in message
...

The factory test pilot was killed when a wing folded. There was some issue
about the spar.

Regards,

One Sky Dog

Well, it's not my toy. My toy is a Velocity. Also foam but a wee bit
stronger. Thanks for the condescending remark.

After looking closely at how this thing is put together, I would say that
your analysis is right on the money. The aluminum tube/foam spar is an
awfully wiggly thing and I can't imagine it being much stronger with ice
cooler Styrofoam for structure. I'll probably wind up cutting the plane into
a million little parts and selling the oversized lawn blower motor for
whatever it can get.

At least the guy who owned this before passed away of natural causes and not
the ground rushing up to smite thee...

Dale Alexander
Velocity 173 RG Elite-another foam plane.

"plasticguy" wrote in message
...
I watched a Goldwing crash when the right wind failed on
a moderate g pullup. I was behind it after it flew overhead.
The spar was an aluminum tube inside a foam structure. It looked to fail
in bending about a foot outboard of the r/h attach points.
The pilot stayed in the fuse until impact and lived for a short time after
the crash.

I wouldn't trust one today after the structure has aged, lots of foam in
one.
I also wouldn't fly fast or pull hard in one. I'm also married and can
find
much better
toys than what you were looking at.

Scott



"OneSkyDog" wrote in message
...

The factory test pilot was killed when a wing folded. There was some
issue
about the spar.

Regards,

One Sky Dog

The Goldwing spar was made stronger after that Crash.
I built up 3 sets of wings and others. Sold 12 Kits.
Their have been many aircraft wings spars, built for other aircraft
using that type of spars style.
The other crashes of other Goldwings, were from pilot error.
All of these first spars were called back. My Goldwing #36 was
the updated wing. Still have it in the Hanger. Put about 60 hrs on it.

Any type of aircraft will last forever, IF IT IS STORED IN THE RIGHT
CONDITIONS.

I build Many Composite planes full time since 1980.

My Goldwing sure draws attention when doing a flying-bye.
I had the first kit built Goldwing on display at Oshkosh Fly-In.

Larry Fitzgerald

I just spoke with a fellow named Art last night. He lives in Pacific Grove
and owns the last of the inventory. He was very kind and explained some of
the issues with the Goldwing. He mentioned the spar mod but didn't remember
when the mod took place. This Goldwing has a serial number of 170 and may
have the updated spar. He mentioned what the spar would look like if it is
the correct one. I haven't yet wandered out to the shed to look. At any
rate, he was very complementary about the Goldwing, so maybe I'll find a
builder to complete this one. Someone down in Fresno is interested and I
think I'll put him in contact with Art and let the two yak at each other.
This Goldwing has been stored very well as the foam for the wings is still
quite pliable rather than crumbling. There may be hope for another one yet.
I have reconsidered chopping it up for the time being.

Dale Alexander

"Fitzair4" wrote in message
...
The Goldwing spar was made stronger after that Crash.
I built up 3 sets of wings and others. Sold 12 Kits.
Their have been many aircraft wings spars, built for other aircraft
using that type of spars style.
The other crashes of other Goldwings, were from pilot error.
All of these first spars were called back. My Goldwing #36 was
the updated wing. Still have it in the Hanger. Put about 60 hrs on it.

Any type of aircraft will last forever, IF IT IS STORED IN THE RIGHT
CONDITIONS.

I build Many Composite planes full time since 1980.

My Goldwing sure draws attention when doing a flying-bye.
I had the first kit built Goldwing on display at Oshkosh Fly-In.

Larry Fitzgerald

Dale
All Spars were called back for the change. My number 36 and all spars after
that had the Update. So don't worry about it.

I still have a wing kit in my shop for sale.
If the Engine is CDI, Let me know,
I was at their shop in Jackson, Ca.and knew the owners back then.
The one big problem flying a Goldwing, was its VERY light wing loading. If a
Sparrow bird, flew accross your flight path in front of you,
You would feel its tuberlance. I have flown it in some ruff wind.
It is like all Canard aircraft. Twice the runway take off length, for lift off,
compared to regular Conventional aircraft.
Its like most ultralights. Fly in early morning or late eveing with no wind.

Larry Fitzgerald

Larry,

You are correct. I checked the spar and it does have the additional tubing.
Looks like a pretty neat job too. I found out that Craig Catto was one of
the original people at the factory. That's kinda neat. I have one of his
props for my Velocity and his shop is about 2 1/2 hours south of where I'm
at. I may have to call him and shake some cobwebs out of his neural pathways
and see what interesting stories he has. Without the proper pullers, I can't
tell what type of ignition it has. There is a flywheel bell mounted behind
the pull start assembly and a pair of small black Bosch coils are mounted
below the carb for whatever that is worth.

Dale Alexander

"Fitzair4" wrote in message
...
Dale
All Spars were called back for the change. My number 36 and all spars
after
that had the Update. So don't worry about it.

I still have a wing kit in my shop for sale.
If the Engine is CDI, Let me know,
I was at their shop in Jackson, Ca.and knew the owners back then.
The one big problem flying a Goldwing, was its VERY light wing loading. If
a
Sparrow bird, flew accross your flight path in front of you,
You would feel its tuberlance. I have flown it in some ruff wind.
It is like all Canard aircraft. Twice the runway take off length, for lift
off,
compared to regular Conventional aircraft.
Its like most ultralights. Fly in early morning or late eveing with no
wind.

Larry Fitzgerald

Hi Larry
Do you still have a wing kit in my shop for sale.?
Regards Harry

Originally Posted by Fitzair4

Dale
All Spars were called back for the change. My number 36 and all spars after
that had the Update. So don't worry about it.

I still have a wing kit in my shop for sale.
If the Engine is CDI, Let me know,
I was at their shop in Jackson, Ca.and knew the owners back then.
The one big problem flying a Goldwing, was its VERY light wing loading. If a
Sparrow bird, flew accross your flight path in front of you,
You would feel its tuberlance. I have flown it in some ruff wind.
It is like all Canard aircraft. Twice the runway take off length, for lift off,
compared to regular Conventional aircraft.
Its like most ultralights. Fly in early morning or late eveing with no wind.

Larry Fitzgerald

Thai

Have a wing precut foam kit and spar is still in the shipping tube.
From another kit have a basic fuselage frame, never started to build.
Have a Goldwing with 60 hours on it. Its been in a hanger storage
for many years. Had it at Oshkosk a couple times in early 1980's.

Contact me on the new E-Mail

My old web site is www.fitzair.net

Larry Fitzgerald

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

Thai Harry wrote:
Hi Larry
Do you still have a wing kit in my shop for sale.?
Regards Harry

Fitzair4 Wrote:
Dale
All Spars were called back for the change. My number 36 and all spars
after
that had the Update. So don't worry about it.

I still have a wing kit in my shop for sale.
If the Engine is CDI, Let me know,
I was at their shop in Jackson, Ca.and knew the owners back then.
The one big problem flying a Goldwing, was its VERY light wing loading.
If a
Sparrow bird, flew accross your flight path in front of you,
You would feel its tuberlance. I have flown it in some ruff wind.
It is like all Canard aircraft. Twice the runway take off length, for
lift off,
compared to regular Conventional aircraft.
Its like most ultralights. Fly in early morning or late eveing with no
wind.

Larry Fitzgerald


--
Thai Harry