Fokker D8 Kit

Brad · 11 March 2009, 05:46 AM

I just have A.A.A.D.D. (Antique Aircraft Attention Deficit Disorder.) I get distracted too easily.

I guess that really isn't true... I just want what I want, and can't seem to find a solution to some problems involved with it. I WANT an Albatros. To have one, I NEED TO FIND the proper engine for a replica.

There are some caveats though:

1) it needs to be "cost effective." If I wanted to pay the price for a certified aircraft engine, there are several that would work... Ranger, Gypsy, or Walther. I absolutely am NOT willing to spend what a certified engine costs to build an automotive conversion.

2) I don't want to spend several thousand dollars developing something (an auto conversion) only to find out it won't work.

3) NO ENGINE DRIVEN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. It really needs to be a magneto-fired engine. Tough to do on most automotive conversions other than a VW or a V-8 of some sort... and those are single-mag engines. I don't want to have to put an encoding altimeter and transponder in the darned thing... and I live under the umbrella of DFW airport, so if it has an alternator/generator on the engine, the encoding altimeter and transponder are mandatory.

Weight, balance, and thrust are the key issues. Everything else is just distraction.

What I SHOULD do I guess is build something that works with a currently available engine package... say for example, an SE5a replica (I already have plans of a sort for it... not very detailed plans, but enough to work with) with a Geo/Suzuki 4-cylinder with a reduction drive... but then again, no magneto ignition. I guess I could develop THAT part of it, but those are single-plug-per-cylinder engines. (That's why I was looking at that Ford Lima engine- they have 2 plugs on the later ones... but they're heavy, at 300# plus.)

I wonder if I could adapt dual magnetos to fire a single set of sparkplugs? I need to look into that.

RobW · 11 March 2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pearl

I read a article yesterday, he tookoff in his D8 and had more to handle then he imagined. Input right rudder and plane went left and lost 800 ft. in a heartbeat. Low airspeed seem to be a real problem. He was very lucky to land and not crash in front of his on-looking supporter's.

There is a bit more to this story than was captured in the article... Maybe some folks here are more familiar with the details than I.

For a totally different perspective you could refer to Gwen de Lucero and her building and flying experience: Jasta6 : Jasta 6 - WWI Aircraft Builders Group

Brad · 11 March 2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pearl

Hi Leland,

I agree, starting to realize there are few ultralight's compared to sport. The performance difference is great and seems hard to beat, pound for pound. Just 20 hours of flying can change so much.
I read a article yesterday, he tookoff in his D8 and had more to handle then he imagined. Input right rudder and plane went left and lost 800 ft. in a heartbeat. Low airspeed seem to be a real problem. He was very lucky to land and not crash in front of his on-looking supporter's.
I looked up an instructor online in my area yesterday and says there is one an hour away. I'll call him later to get some rates.

Thanks

If this is the article I'm thinking of... well... the problem there was a self-created by the builder. He didn't follow the plans. He moved the wing, so weight and balance was an issue... and I think he altered the airfoil used. You can't blame that on Robert Baslee- if you follow his plans to the letter, you will have a very nice flying aircraft, although a bit "sporty" (as in not particularly docile) to fly. If you make changes, this is the kind of thing that happens.

In other words, if you are building an aircraft, STICK TO THE PLANS PROVIDED BY THE DESIGNER.

Alterations are for the brave and foolish. (yes, brave AND foolish!)

Note that I say that as I foray off into the unknown on aircraft replicas... but I've spent countless hours of research, and I'm not going to depart from accepted practices in any way. I strongly suggest you do NOT do that yourself.

jumpinjan · 11 March 2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobW

There is a bit more to this story than was captured in the article... Maybe some folks here are more familiar with the details than I.

Yep, the idiot didn't know how to build an airplane. When he built that Baslee D8, he built in "wash-in" into the wing, just the opposite of what it should be.
(Of course the building manual leaves a lot to be desired too. It's kind of...bad)
Jan

Joe Perkel · 11 March 2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

".....Weight, balance, and thrust are the key issues. Everything else is just distraction......"

That's pretty cool, ....wish I'd thought of it!

Pearl · 12 March 2009, 03:00 PM

Brad,

I decided to get my sport license and would now have to re-think what plane to buy. I don't have to have a WW1 plane, I'm really opened to any airplane. Basically I don't want to spend more then 15k, single, or 2 seater, trike gear, taildragger, cruise atleast 70+, quick attach/ detach wing's

The guy in the D8 article is something I wouldn't do if it's true. If I was to build a kit, it would be by the book from the designer's.

Rob,

I joined the yahoo group and can't find the flight characteristics for the D8.