Popular Flying Nov/Dec 1978

Popular 4:0Ifk 'frt...F1ing

TheEditorswouldliketowishthePresident,ExecutiveCommittee,StaffandAllMembers a ofthePopularFlyingAssociationaveryhappyChristmasandmanyhoursofenjoyable flyingin1979.

WagNMP2&00000,MAIMM0,40.,MVUOMMOWMOAVA,2%1S”

FROMTHEP.F.A.OFFICE

a

a a a g

a a a a a a a

Allpricesaresubjecttochangewithoutnoticeduetoincreasesinpriceandcurrencyfluctuations.

Popular Flying

TheviewsexpressedinPOPULARFLYINGarethoseofthe contributorsandnotnecessarilythoseoftheP.F.A.The Publishersretaintherighttorefuseorwithdrawadvertisementsat theirdiscretionanddonotacceptliabilityfordelayinpublication orforclericalorprinter'serrorsalthougheverycareistakento alvidmistakes.

PFAEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President: A/CMILRE. G. J.C.PAUL, C.B.,

Chairman:

D.E.FAULKNERBRYANT

Treasurer:

I.SHAW,D.Ae.,CIThg„M.R.Ae.S.,

EngineeringOfficer:

F.I.V.WALKER.C.Eng.,F.R.Ae.S.

COMMIIteeMembers:

JOHN,DUNFORD

TONYFARRELL

TONYHAROLD

ERNIE'HORSFALL

MIKEJOSEPH

AlIKNOWLES,Oil+A.F.T.

rAugg- MANSFIELD

SIVARTMACCONNACHER ITSRICHARDSON MIKE.VAISFY

1411L 1RIMIIs

SecretaryGeneral:

L S. J. LAUDER

alb

4e ryING

Founded1946

Indisiddalmembership:£7.50 p.a. Thefoundingandrepresentativebodyin theUnitedKingdomofamateur constructorsandOperatorsof'ultra-light andgroupoperatedaircraft.

P.EA.(ULAIR)Ltd

COVER COMMENT—

RogerBaileyflyinghisbeautifully restoredDH-80APussMothnearhisstrip inSussex.

Photo:GordonBain

PopularFlying,November-December,1978

Whenitstimetogo,itstimetogo!

ASMOSTOFYOUALREADYKNOW,myappointmentas yourPresidentceasesatmidnighton31December,1978.

Duringmytermofofficeithasbeenmygreatpridetoseethe growthofthePFAintothebiggestandmostimportantofall amateurpowerflyingorganisationsintheUnitedKingdom;to providethefirstInternationalChairmanforHomebuilts;andto growinprestigetoitspresentNationalandInternational importance.Fortheseachievementswemustthankadedicated andoftenbrilliantteamofcommitteemembers.Allhaveworked asamateurs,givingtheirtimefree,whilstearningtheirownliving inothertasks.Tothemwealloweaninestimabledebt.AndI myselfowethemmyownsincerethanksforthesupporttheyhave givenmeoneveryoccasion.

Myresignationisbecause,afteroverfiftyyearsasanactive pilottheauthoritieshavedecidedthattheycannolongerrenew mylicence.IamunwillingtopreachwhatIcannolonger practice.But1cannotcomplain.Ithasbeenmyprivilegetoenjoy somethreehundreddifferenttypesofaircraftfromengineless sailplanestofourenginedmonsters;helicoptersandseaplanes; andBristolFighterstojets;tobeamemberoftheAirForces engagedinthedefenceofourcountry,andtotakepartinthe liberationofEurope;andtohavepilotedaircraftinpartsofthe worldrangingfromthedesertsofArabiatothedesertsof Arizona.ForallthisIgivethanks,andwereItohavemytime againIwouldhaveitnodifferent.

Ifanyparticularthingstandsout,itisgratitudetothe wonderfulpeoplewhomIhavebeenabletomeetandadmirein thiswayoflife,andwhosefriendshiphasbeenaprivilege.Tobe yourPresidenthasbeenahappy,andIhopeusefulconclusionto aFlyingLife.Toallofyouwhohavesustainedmeinmyofficeas yourPresidentIgivemygratefulandsincerethanks,and especially,mayIadd,intheselastfewyearswhenIhavebeen aloneinlife.ThePFAhasbeenalifeline.Tothoseofyouwith whomIhavehadtodisagree,myrespects.Andtomysuccessor, everyhelpandencouragementinmypowertogive.

LetterfromtheChairman...

DEARMEMBERS,

AsyouwillhavereadontheEditorialPage,our PresidentChrisPaulisretiringfromofficeattheend oftheyear!Imustadmittofeelingsomewhat dismayedonreceivinghisletterofresignationand notalittlesadatthereasonhegave,fortolosethe righttoflyisaconsiderableblow,toanypilotand doublytoamanwithChrisPaulsbackgroundand experience.

However,myinitialreactionwastowaitawhile andthenaskourPresidenttoreconsider,butalasmy powersofpersuasionfailedmeonthisoccasion. ChrisPaulstoodfirmonhisoriginaldecisionandmy feelingsturnedfromsadnesstoadmiration,forwe canbutadmireamanwhopracticeswhathe preaches,whostandsdown,whenthisisnolonger possibleandwhoseprincipleswillnotallowhimto alteravowhemadesomeyearsagotothateffect.

Christoldmethathehashadfiftyandahalfyears offlyingintheR.A.F.andcivilianlife,spanning probablythemostinterestingperiodanyoneislikely toexperienceandenjoy,withmanygoodmemories andfewregrets,nowhewishestoretiregracefully andwhocoulddenyhimthatprivilege His halfcenturyofflyingisquiteascorebyany standards,butsotoisawholedecadeasP.F.A. President,forChriswillhavebeenwithusfor10 yearsbythetimeheretires,tenveryimportantyears inP.F.A.affairs.Chrisalsoexpresseshisgratitude andadmirationtotheCommitteeandasamemberof theCommitteeoverthepast10yearsandChairman forthepast5or6ycars,Imustsaythefeelingsare mutual.

Thesepastyearshavebeenmomentousones,they haveseenmanychanges,muchexcitementand considerablegrowth.Chris,whilstnotanexecutive memberoftheCommittee,oftentookontaskswhen hefelthecouldhelpandhisintegrityandwisdom wereausefulinfluenceonmanyofthedecisionsthat weremadeduringthisperiod.OurPresidentwasnot just'TheFigurehead'thatmostpresidentsare supposedtobe,butapractisingpilotofanultralight P.F.A.typeaeroplane.Manywillrememberhis frequentattendanceatP.F.A.StrutRalliesand'Fly Ins'withhisTurbulentandlateronhisTipsyNipper, alwaysbeautifullyturnedoutandimmaculately flownhischeerfulpresenceandtotalinterest,were Iamsure,muchappreciatedbythosewhoorganise thesedelightfulP.F.A.events.

NotonlydidChris'FlyforFun',butalso delighteduswithhisfirstclassflighttestreportsof P.F.A.typeaeroplanes,whichaddedinteresttoour MagazineandgavetheHomebuilderaninsightinto whathewasbuilding.

OurPresident'stalenthoweverwasnotonly confinedtotheseflighttestreports,heprovided manyotherusefulandinterestingitemsfor Popular Flying Magazineandlatterlyeditedanexcellentbook on TheHistoryofSywellAerodrome (availablefrom

ChrisPaulduringtheprizegivingatSywellthisyear P.F.A.office),anaerodromedeartotheheartsof manyP.F.A.members.

ChrisPaulsinterestandinvolvementinourown P.F.A.internationalRallyatSywellisalreadywell knownandhewouldoftenbeseenwithhisjacket off,helpingtosetitupandlaterwithjacketon, givingawaytheprizesandawards(hisparticular responsibility)withthatspecialbrandofhumourand choiceofwordshedisplayedontheseoccasions.We alsotalkedthenightawayonmorethanone occasion,discussingP.F.A.affairsandlubricating ourthroatswith'ScottishWine'asubjectonwhich ChrisPaulisanotedconnoisseur.

Hiswideinterestinflyingaffairswentbeyondthe P.F.A.andhisinterestinA.E.R.O.andotheryouth organisations,wasalsowellknown,lesswellknown perhapsishislongdistance,sponsoredbicycleridea coupleofyearsagotoraisemoneyfortheR.A.F.A. andhisenthusiasticsupportforothercharitable ventures.

Well,.Icouldgoonwritingaboutthesepastten years adinfinitum, butithasjustoccurredtome, thatperhapsChriswouldliketowritehisown autobiography,nowthathehasretired.Therefore,I shouldjustsay'Goodbye,GodBlessYouSirand ThankYou',onbehalfofmyself,thecommitteeand membersofP.F.A.foryourcontributiontoour affairs.

Wewishyoualongandhappyretirementand herebybestowuponyou,HonouraryLife Membershipof'OUR'Associationandhopethatwe maycontinuetoseeyouatourRalliesandEventsfor manyyearstocome

DavidFaulknerBryant CHAIRMAN

IMPORTANTNOTICE

TheP.F.A.InternationalRally(formerlyheldat Sywell)willmovetoanewvenuefor1979.

AfullreportwillbepublishedintheJan/Feb. issueof PopularFlying, butthepreliminarydetails areasfollows:

TheP.F.A.InternationalRallyfor1979willbe heldatLeicesterEastAirportfromtheFriday,6th JulyuntilMonday,9thJuly,whereagreatwelcome willbeextendedtoallourmembersandvisitorsfrom

homeandoverseas.

Thenewvenueisinclearairspaceapproximately 20n.m.NorthofSywell,andabout7mileseastof theMImotorway.Ithas3grassand1paved runways,plentyofparkingspace.

So,bookyourholidayrightaway,andsupportthe greatestairrallyinEuropein1979.

D.F.B.

RebuildingaCaudronLuciole byGriersonGower

TheCaudronC270Luciolehistappearedatthe 1931ParisAirShowwhereitwasofferedforsaleat 59,000francs.

ThismachinewasAvionsCaudron'sanswertothe ubiquitousandpopularMoth,whichwasthenbeing manufacturecinFrance,underlicencebyMorane. TheLaciolehadalotincommonwithde Havilland'sbestseller,butowedmoretothelong lineofsimilarsingleenginedtractorbiplanes producedbyCaudronsincetheearliestdaysof aviation.InplanformtheLucioledifferedlittlefrom the1913/14Caudrondesignswithitssquare-cutwing andtailshape,familiar'Scalloped'stringtrailingedgesandunbalancedcontrolsurfaces.

TheLuciolewas,however,inspite(orperhaps because)ofitsconservativedesign,apopular aircraftinFrancethroughoutthe1930s,andwiththe eruptionofflyingclubsalloverthecountry,most hadatleastoneontheirstrength.In1931aImciole wastheoutrightwinner(although,admittedly,only twoothermachinescompeted!),oftheimportant 'ConcoursNationalTechnique',whichprobablydid alottoboostsalesforCaudronatthiscriticaltime.

Luciolescontinuedtobemanufacturedwithvarious refinements;e.g.redesignedtailsurfacesandchanges ofpowerplant,rightupto1939.

CaudronC270Luciole6607/32,thesubjectofthis article.wasoneortheearliestmodelspoweredbytile ageing,butrobust,Salmson7acradialengine of 95h.p.ItwasregisteredF-ALVOinApril1932and usedbytheAeroClubdeToulouseetdesPyrenees.

Aftermanychangesofownership,andtwo seriouslandingaccidents,F-ALVOwasimpressedby L'Armeedel'Airattheoutbreakofwar.Itsustained wardamageearlyon,andwasconsequentlysoldto MidiAviationinBordeauxwhorepairedandstored

themachineuntilitwasimpressedoncemore—this timebytheVichygovernment.Thislongsuffering aeroplanereceivedfurtherdamageduringthefinal phasesofthewar,butwasagainrebuiltbyMidi Aviation,thensoldandre-registeredin1946,asFBBPT,toresumeclubflyingwiththeAeroClubdela HauteMarne.

Theaircraftflewextensivelyuntil1957whenit changedhandsforonefranc,thenewownersellingit offforscrapin1963.Thatitsurvivedatallis remarkablewhenoneconsidersitshistory,andasfar asIknow,itistheonlycompleteradialengined Lucioleinexistance.It•wasrescuedfromthescrap heap(inthemid1960s,Ibelieve)byagarage proprietornearReiniswho,forpublicitypurposes haditstandinginhisgarageforecourtforayearor sobeforeitwasfinallytakendownandpushedintoa barn.

IboughttheLuciolein1975,anditarrivedfrom Franceinaprettysadstate.Thetwobottomfuselage longeronswerebrokenattherear,theplytop deckinghaddelaminatedandthefuselagefloorwas coveredwithowlpellets.Manywingribswere brokenandtherestoftheairframegenerally battered.Therewasnorot,however,andatleastit wasallthere.AfterathoroughinspectionbyCarl Butleritwasdecidedthatarebuildtoflying conditionwasfeasible,givenenoughtimeand patience,buttheSalmsonradialenginewasvery rustyexternallyandnotterriblygoodinside.To expeditematters,therefore,Isought,andhadthe extremegoodfortunetofind,areplacementengine whichwassoldtomebyMonsieurJeanSalis.Jean Salishimselfhastherottedfronthalfofanearly C270Luciole(F-ALLL)aswellasanairworthy Renaultpowered1937versionF-PJKE,(likeEl-

AtypicalFrenchflyingclubLucioleoftheprewarera.

ARE,-theoneintheBlueMax).Thenewengine turnedouttobeanearly1930sexample. econditionedbytheSalmsonfactoryin1947and notusedsince!Itlookedsuperficiallyalmostas roughasthefirst,buthadbeenwellinhibhedso thatevenafteralmostthirtyyearsinstore,itturned easilyandprovedtoheinexcellentcondition.

Thisenginehasnowbeencompletelyrebuiltafter twoyearspainstakingworkinhissparetimeby enuineerMalcolmTowseofAllesley,Coventry. Malcolmhasdonearemarkablejobontheengine,as

anyonewhosawthebeforeandafterphotos displayedinthemarqueeatSywellwould,Iantsure, agree.Ihavephotographsofthe7acradialexhibited bySalmsonontheirstandatthe1925ParisAir Show,andmineisnowfinishedtothesame showroomstandard.Anewwoodenpropellerhas beenmadebyBertEtheridgeatOldWarden,toa designworkedoutbyTonyDowson(B.A.Swallow G-AFCL);Bert'sworkmanshipbeingunequivocally ofthehighestorder,asusual.

Meanwhileworkon[heairframegotofftoaslow

Grierson'sLuciolefuselageonarrivalalFolkestonein1975

The!dictate'sbasicfuselageneerrechalet?toadvantagelathisphoto.

start,withvariousmajorcomponentschanging handsasthepeople,whoseinitialenthusiasmhadled themtobiteoffmorethantheycouldchew,ranout ofsteam.Undertheaegisofthecapableand energeticCarlButlermanyoftheotherbitsand pieces—flyingwires,tailassembly,cowlingsetc., werefarmedouttoseveralskilledrestorers,andIam indebtedtohimandthoseotherswhoundertookand satisfactorilycompletedtheiroftendifficulttasks.

ThefuselageandwingsweretakenbyRichard YatesofLincs.AerialSprayingCo.,Boston,andto thoseofyouwhohaveexaminedhisFred'Teasy Too',hisskillasacraftsmanneedsnointroduction. Therestorationofthefuselageisnow90complete andtheworkcouldnothavebeenexecutedmore skilfully,witheveryoriginalpart(stillbearingthe day'sdateofmanufacturein1932andCaudron monogram)carefullycleaned,revarnishedand repaired,wherenecessary,andeachnewpiece harmoniouslyblendedin.Oneexampleofthesortof jobwhichwoulddetermany,wasthereplacementof thereinforcingstripwhichfittedunderandaround eachofthecockpitcutoutsinthetopdecking.This pieceisathree-dimensionallycurvedlenghof Malaccacane,sawntostartwith,down itsentire9ft.length,(tomakeahalf circularsection)thendryheatedandheld intherequiredshapeuntilcooltoforma permanentcurve.Permanent,thatis, untilitbendswhenthenextsectionis beingheated.Successfullycompleted aftermanyfrustratinghours,this particularbitwillscarcelybevisibleinthe finishedcockpitasitwillbecoveredby theleathercoamingpad.

Atonestageoftheprojecttheroof blewoffRichard'sshedinlastyear'shigh winds.HappilytheLuciole'sfuselage, usedbynowtothesoundofsplintering timber,camethroughunscathed.Richard hasnowstartedonthewingsandIam confidentthattheheapofmatchwood reposinginthecornerofhislivingroom willsoonbeconjuredintoarestored wing.ThemanagementofLincs.Aerial SprayingCo.have2enerouslymade storagespaceavailableinthecornerof theirhangarandthetestflying programmewillbecarriedoutfrom

BostonAerodrome.

AcoupleoftripstoFrancehavebeennecessaryto obtainreplacementsforsomeofthemissingcockpit instruments.1wastreatedroyallybyoneMonsieur CambordeoftheMuseedel'AirLibraryinParis, whodevotedawholedaytohelpwithmyquestfor information,throwingopentheirconsiderable archives(untouchedbytheNazisonGoering's specificinstructions),photocopying'original handbooksandoldperiodicals,thenlunchatthe FrenchAirMinistrystaffcanteenandafterwards a chauffeurdrivencartotheMusêe'soldhangarsat Villacoublaywherearestoredmanypre-waraircraft (includingalateLuciole)allawaitingrestoration beforejoiningthesplendidcollectionsatleBourget andChallaisMeudon.Ihavereceivedagreatdealof assistanceandkindnessfrommanyothersinFrance andtheU.K.andhopeinthenottoodistantfuture tobeabletorepaythemwithatriportwointhe Luciole.Barringunforseendifficultiesitishoped thatthismagnificentfortysevenyearoldaeroplane, nowbearingitsthirdregistrationG-BDFMwill emergefromitslongchrysalisstageintimetoflyat Sywellnextyear.

Thefuselageinitsrestoredstate.

"She'llNeverFly"

SagaofDruineTurbi

VH-CPD

ByLinUrwin8-

PART

TWO

ENGINE

AlanMitchell

IfittedtheenginebutfoundthattheDynaflex enginemountswere'perished.Thesewereoriginal MothMinormounts.Asitappearedaneasierjobto replacethesethantryandalterthemounts,Itriedto getnewones.Thesewereunobtainable,soI consultedDunlopRubber,whoshowedmehowto makeamouldtorerubbertheexistingones.Thiswas nosmalljobasitrequiredatleast14hoursof machiningtomakethemoulds.ThisIdidandwas surprisedatthequalityofthejobandthelowcost.I thentrammelledthedistancebetweenthemounts andtheenginetoarriveatthelengthsofthespacers required.Thesehadtobetaperedatabout8degrees tosuitthetaperingenginemount.

Inthemeantimewe(thefamily)visitedtheU.K. onaholiday.WhilethereIvisitedmanyairfieldsand wasfortunatetohaveashortflightinaTurbi belongingtothePopularFlyingGroupatHatfieldby courtesyofDavidKent.Ialsotriedtogetamagneto springpackdriveformyenginebutGipsyMinor enginesparesarescarceintheU.K.

OnourlastdayinScotlandwevisitedStrathallen airmuseumandIwasveryfortunatetogetthepartI requiredfromastoredengine.Thiswasthehighlight ofmytrip.Incidentally,justafewweeksagoIwas abletogivetheairportmanagerfromStrathallen(in W.A.foraholiday)aflightinmyTurbi.

BackhomefromtheholidayIwassoonbackon thejobwithextrakeenness.Icompletedthefittingof theengineanditscontrols.ThethrottlefromaTiger Mothwasconnectedtoduralforkendmachinedona millingmachineandcoupledtolengthsof4130 tubing.IfittedthefueltankandaVickersfuelcock andflexiblefuellineswhichwerelatercoveredwith asbestossleeves.Manyofthefittingshadtobemade toaccommodatethedifferentfuelfittingsonthe GipsyMinor.

Themixturecontrolprovedaproblem.Whichwas rich?Thehandbookdidnotsaysobutshoweda drawingofthecontrolinaparticularposition.Iwas abletofindoutthecorrectpositionbyexperimentby cementingasmallpipetotheventtothefuel chamberandconnectingthistosomeairpressureand movingthelever.

Theengineitselfhadverylowhours (approximately40)andhadbeeninhibited.Alloil hoseswerereplacedandbondingstripsfitted.The fuelpumpdiaphramswerereplaced.Themagneto checked,fittedandtimedandnewChampion automobileplugsfitted.Thesewerefittedwith steppedbrasstopstotakeclipleads.Ichosetotry unshieldedignitionafteradviceastheengineisnot fittedwithageneratorandtheradioissomedistance fromtheengine.Thisprovedtobegoodadviceas thereisnointerferenceatall.Fuelflowtestswere carriedout.Ifirstrantheenginetogetitwarmed thenwithafullcarburettorbowl,disconnectedthe fuellinethecarburrettorandconnectedittoagallon container.Ithenstartedtheengineandranitat

1200rpmandcollectedfromthefuelpumps;the ratiooffuelconsumedtofuelcollectedwassomethingslike30to1.

UNDERCARRIAGE

Thisappearedtobecompleteexceptforfairings, butwhenfittingitIfoundthatthetrailingstrutwas tooshort.Afterhavingapiecesplicedinonboth sidesIcarriedoutmakingfairings.Thesedeservea mention.FirstapieceofOregonwasroutedtofitthe strutsandsteppedtotakeslabsofBalsacutinch thick.Whengluedandshaped,thesewerecovered fabricanddoped.Ichosetofitbrakesafterflyingthe TurbiintheU.K.TheChipmunkwheelshadthe discsremovedsoImadeupdrumsandfittedtheseto theattachmentboltsholdingsplitwheels.Thedrums weremadetosuitHondamotorcyclebrakes,the backplatesbeingreplacedbydiscsof12gaugedural. Tothesewerefittedmachinedfittingstotakethe shoesandoperatingcams.Cablesfromthesegoto Hondaclutchleversfittedtotherearcontrolcolumn.

TAILWHEEL

Ipurchasedasmalltailwheelandfittedthistothe springsbecausetherudderhornwastoohighIcould notusethesetocontrolthetailwheel.InsteadIfitted tensionsprings.Thetailwheelwasfirstfittedwith stopstolimitmovementtoabout45'eachway. Thiswasfoundtobeinsufficientandonesimpleand centralstopwasfittedtogiveatleast70'of movementeachway,yetpreventthespringsfrom beingwoundupwhenpushingtheaircraft backwards.IhavetaxiedtheaircraftinlOktwinds andthebrakesaresatisfactoryanddon'thaveto correctaswingonlandingastheaircrafthasnovices thatway.

FUSELAGE

Thiswascompletedandfourpointseatbeltsfitted tobothcockpits.NewPerspexwindscreenswere madeastheonesfittedwerebrittle.Beforefittingthe bottomtothefuselagetheruddercableandfairings werefitted.

MODIFICATIONS

Overfortymodificationsweresubmittedsome beingmentionedontheplansbutnotshown.Others werenecessaryforthefittingofbrakesetc.Briefly themodificationswere:

Thereplacementofatorquetubebetweenthe frontandrearcockpitbyacable;removablefront controlcolumn;torquetubemountingforelevator pulley;extracableguidesforruddercables;throttle andmixturecontrols;mixturecontrolbellcrank fittings;fuelgauge;enginecontrolrodguides;fuel knobandlockingdevice;cableoperatedbrakes; brakefittings;brakecontrollevers;inspectiondoors tofuselageandwings;enginemountcowl attachments;bottomenginecowl;safetyharnessesto frontandrearcockpits;tailwheel;tiedownstomain planes;rudderpedalreturnsprings;rudderpedal stops;pitottubesandconnections;fuellines;fuel cock;elevatorstopandsixdrawingsrelatingtothe enginemountanditsfittings.

COMPLETINGTHEPLANE

AboutFebruarythisyearIassembledtheplaneon ourfrontlawnandcarriedoutmanyofthe remainingjobs.Astherainyseasonwas approaching,IhadtheaircraftmovedtotheRoyal AeroClubhangaratJandakot.Theremainingjobs tookmuchlongerasIhadsomedistancetotravel andoftenjobshadtobeleftforthefollowing weekend.Iwasrequiredalsotosubmitastress analysisoftheenginemountwhichdifferedfromthe plans.Ifoundanengineertodothisandfinallygot it;some30pagesofmathematics.Thiswas submitted.

InthemeantimeImadeplanstohavedualtraining onaChipmunkattheAeroClub.Iwastoldthat surveyorswouldcomefromMelbournetoinspectthe aircraft,butsuddenlythisresponsibilitywasthrown onourlocalinspector.Anultra-lightconversion wasmentionedbutconsultationbytheChiefFlying InstructorandD.O.T.revealedthattheChipmunk conversionwouldbesufficient.

Thefinalpaperworkwascompletedandafinal inspectionmade.AeroClubengineersNeilWellsand GlenCaple.StanChappell,wellknowntoolder pilotshaddoneallthepreliminaryinspections.

D.O.T.inspectorRonHarbord,gavemeevery assistancetogetthelogbookcompleted.Allaircraft builderswilllateronbecomefamiliarwith requirementsshowninA.N.O.'s108.All modificationsontheaircraftengineandairscrews havetobecompliedwithandenteredinthe appropriateplacesinthelogbooks.

FIRSTFLIGHT

IfixedthedayforthefirstflighttobeSunday7th November,thedaybeforewasspentmakingfinal inspectionsfortheumteenthtimeandcleaningthe aircraft.TheHondamotorcyclebatterywastopped upwithchargeandfittedtotheaircraft.

Sundaymorningwasfineandcoldandafteran earlystartmywife,sonanddaughter,arrivedat Jandakotby0630hours.Mysoncrackedabottleof bubblywhichIpouredonthescrewwhilemovie photosweretaken.Soonfriendsbegantoarrive includingRonHarbord,theDepartmentinspector andmanyultralightmembers,aeroclubmembers, andotherfriends.Themomentoftruthhadarrived, Iclimbedaboard,mysontwistedthepropellerandit startedfirstswing.SoonIwastaxiingtothefarend ofthefield.Arunuponthebrakesandgood wishesfromthetower.Ienteredtherunway,opened thethrottleandgotthetailupandwassoonsuprised tofindIhadflyingspeedandwasclimbing.Isoon foundthatsomeforwardpressurewasrequiredto keepitfromclimbingtoosteeply.Aglanceatthe altimetershowed1000feetwithwispsoflightcloud floatingby.IwaswishingIhadaddedajumper.

Therestwaseasy,thepressureonthestickbecame lessasIflattenedoutandreducedpower.Landing fromaslightlytoofastapproachwaseasyandsoonI wasbacktothetarmac.

Afteratemporarycorrectionoftailheavinessby addingatabtotheelevatorItooktheplaneupagain forphotographs.Thephotographerwasflownina ChipmunkbycourtesyofGlenCaple,theowner. LatermtheafternoonIdidsomecircuits.

Theaircraftisajoytoflyandhasquiteadequate power.Steepturnscanbeheldwithoutlosingheight anditwillkeepflyingwith21knotsontheclock. Takeoffandlandingsarcshort.

Perhapsabetterperformancecouldbegainedby fittingawoodenairscrewinplaceofthemetalFairey Reedwhichholdstherpmdownto2150fortake-off.

Ihavesinceincreasedtheincidencetothestabiliserto

correctthetailheaviness.Adraggingbrakeanda slightoilleakhavebeentheonlyotheralterationsor corrections.

Whathave1learnedfromallthis?Well,ithas beencharacterbuildingforastartevenatmyageof 59yearsandthepleasureithasgivenmeisgreater thanIhaveeverexperiencedbefore.

Adviceforothers?Well,hereitis: Sticktotheplans;rememberthatanydeviation fromtheplanswillrequiresubmissionofa modificationwhichmaynotbeapproved.Always seekadvice.Ioftenmadethemistakeofnotdoingso, thinkingthatalifetimeofengineeringpracticegave mespecialdispensation;howwrongIwasandoften totheexpenseofmypocket.Ifyoufeelyoucannot doaparticularjob,thenasksomeoneskilledinthe arttodoitforyouorassistyoutodoit.Mostpeople arewillingtoshowtheirskillsandadvicecosts nothing.Seektheknowledgeofthoseintheaircraft industry,theirknowledgeisinvaluableandyoucan savemoneybytakingtheiradvice.

Learnallyoucanabouttheregulations,materials, etc.Considerpurchasingnewinstrumentsrather thanoldsecondhandoneswhichoftencostamintto getcertified.

Finally,beforeflyingyourownaircraftgetan endorsementonsomethingsimilar(atailwheel endorsementifyoursisataildragger).

Finally,getsomeinsurancecoveronyouraircraft andyourself.

Almost18monthshaselapsedsincetheTurbifirst flewandthefinalpartofthestorydealswiththis. BecausetheDepartmentviewedtheaircraftasa prototype,(itbeingthefirstofitstypeinAustralia andfittedwithalargerengine)thecertificateof airworthinesswasdelayeduntiltheperformanceof heaircraftwasassessed.Inthemeantimethe aircraftwasissuedwithseveralpermitstofly.Some ixmonthselapsedbeforeadepartmenttestpilotand engineercouldcometoW.A.forthetest.

VOLKSWAGEN

AIRCRAFTENGINEPLANS forAmateurConstructors

50sq.II.ordr;c:,ingsandaI5,000-ssordmanual prosidedesignsandinform:Monenablingonetoconsert anyV.W.engineopid1600ccs.Fullyapproseafor amateur-builtaircraP.Meseplansarcofferedwithlifetimefreeadviceforonly[12.00postpaid.

DonaldC.Peacock, ParadiseCottage,Feenipstord,lairford,Glos. Tel.Kompsford 246

Thisinvolvedhandlingqualities,takeoffand landingdistances,rateofclimb,stalling characteristicswithandwithoutpower,cruising speeds,topspeed,enginetemperaturesetc.Thetests weredoneinthewinterbetweenrainshowers.Oneof thebestlightaircraftIhaveflown;itrateswiththe Mini-cab(andanotheraircraftIhaveforgotten)said thepilot.Justonething,Iwouldlikeyoutofitastall warning,itisnowmandatoryonallhomebuiltaircraft.Manyofourmembersscoffedatthissuggestionbuttheinterestofaircraftsafetyisonething whichcouldreduceaircraftaccidents.Continuing thestory,itwasanothersixmonthsbeforetheCofA camethroughandIbecameeligibletopayAirNavigationcharges.Thesehaverecentlybeenreduced followingnegotiationsbetweenoursportAircraft AssociationandtheDepartmentofTransport.These chargesarearound84dollars,permittingoperating fromprimaryorsecondaryairports.Thisisreduced byhalfshouldyouoperatefromafieldawayfrom theairport.

IhavebeenfortunatetogetfreehangarageinThe RoyalAeroClubhangarandinreturnIspendsome timeeachweekputtingtogetheraTigerMoth.Since Irecentlyretiredthissuitsmefine.

SofarIhavehadlittletroubleinoperatingthe aircraft. A fewminorproblemsmostly.Aleaking

fueltankwasreplacedbyabetterconstructedone fittedwithbaffles,abrokentailwheelspring necessitatedarepairtotherudderfabric,abroken brakecable,beingthemainproblem.

Theaircraftiscomfortabletoflyandnoiselevels arelowandwithgoodfittinghelmetsandhalfrubber ballsfittedtothemicrophonesthecommunication betweenpassengerandpilotisgood.Theaircraftis fittedwithaV.H.F.radio,360channelA.S.H.from U.K.Icanthoroughlyrecommendthisradioandit seemstoperformequallywellasothermore expensivebrandsandallthisbyoperatingonless power.IhaveasmallHondamotorcyclebatteryto poweritandthisisremovedabouteverymonthor6 weeksandrechargedathome.Nogeneratorbeing fittedtotheengine.Hencenoshieldedplugs required.

TheTurbihasnowflown120hoursandwhat pleasureithasgivenme.Flyinghereisayearround sportbecausetheweatherissogoodanditisnot hardtoraisethehours,thebiggestproblemistopay thefuelbills.

TheGipsyMinoruses4Gallonsperhourat2050 R.P.M.giving80kts.Iusuallyflywith1950R.P.M. whichgivesaround A GPHat70kts.

Stallingis25kts.indicatedandrateofclimbwith 2upandafulltankis600FPM.Climband approachesarcat50kts.

Ihavepreparedabriefsummaryofoperatingcosts for100hoursinayear.

AirNavigationCharges84Dollars.

Insurance(Hull):

Passenger7,000Dollars, Liability30,000Dollars

TotalPremium335dollars

Minorrepairs100dollars

Fuelandoil400dollars

100hourlychecks50dollars

AeroClub 30dollars

subs

Total 915dollars

Say10dollarsanhour.

DoncasterSailplaneServices for

HOMEBUILDERSSUPPLIES

G.L.1aircraftbirchply.8mmto5mm.

Fabric2weightsforsupportedandunsupportedareas. DopeTauteningandcolouretc.

Jointingcompoundforwood/metal. Spruce,DouglasFir,WhitePine,Ash,gradeA.

A.S.I.V.S.I.compassesetc.,etc.

S.514andS.510steelsheetandT45tubes. Controlcablemadeuptoorder.

V.P.1StrutTubes,UndercarriageStock.

Cavalierplansandallrawmaterialtobuild. Fibreglassandresin,releaseagent,pigmentetc.

Sends.a.e.forpricelist

TheBillWoodhamsNavigation

Thisyear,attheSywellRally,theBillWoodhams NavigationCompetitionwasrunforthefirsttime. TheCompetitionwasuniqueinthat any PFA member,aircraftownerornot,couldenterfreeof charge.TheCompetitionwasin2parts.Thefirst consistedofamultiplechoicequestionpaperon navigation,airmanshipandassociatedtopics,which didnottakelongtocomplete;about20minuteswas average.

Itwasintendedthatthetop5inthisfirstpartof theCompetitionwouldbecomefinalistsandwould completeapracticalflightnavigationtestconsisting offlyingthefinalist,blindfoldedfromtake-off,to pre-determinedlocation(butunknowntothe finalists!),about15minutesflyingtimefromSywell. Theblindfoldwasthentoberemovedandthe finaliststobegivenamapwithwhichtonavigate backtoSywellintheshortestpossibletime.The overallwinnerofthecompetitionwasobviouslythe onethatgotbackintheshortestpossibletime. Simplythefinalistsweremadeveryunsureoftheir position!

Asweallknow,theweatherwasprettyawfulon theSaturday,weflewonefinalistbutthevisabilityin the'eyesup'areawasaboutlnmsoweallgotlost andthetestwasabandoned!Thewinnerofthe competitionwasDavidMassey,whocameout handsomelyontopofthefirstpartofthe Competition—thetestpaper.

WhentheCompetitionwasfirstproposed,some membersthoughtthepracticalflighttestwastoo difficult—itisnot.Wecarriedoutadry-runonthe Fridaywiththevisibilityabout4nm.Anon-P.P.L. holder,whohadsomeexperienceofnavigation theory,wasputinthehot-seatandmanagedtofind hiswaybacktoSywellin24.5minuteswhich allowingforthetailwindonthehomestraight equatedtoabout11minutesofflounderingaround.

Howeverthemainpointofthisarticleistolet youknowhowgood,orbad,isyourcollective knowledgeofnavigationandairmanship.The questionpaperwasmultiplechoicetype,with20 questionsandamaximumpossiblemarkof26.Sixty fourmembersenteredandtherangeofmarkswas from3}(!)to201,butmostentrantsgotbetween10 and16marks.Onthefaceofit,itmightbethought thatthetestpaperwastoodifficult—butwasit?I willletyoujudgebygivingyouthe4worstanswered questionsandthe'official'answers.Bytheway,more markswerelostbecausemembersdidnotreadthe instructionstothepapercarefully.Somequestions, infact5,hadmorethanonerightanswerbutabout 60%oftheentrantswentrightthroughthepaper markingonlyonebox.

Let'snowhavealookatthese'baddies'. Remember,theaimwastotestknowledgeand airmanship.Withinairmanshipisgoodjudgement.

The worst answeredquestionswith70%getting theanswerwrongwas:

"IfonacrossChannelflight,yousufferedan enginefailureandhadtoditchtheaircraftinthesea andtherewasasurfacewindof25ktsgivingwaves ofabout6fthighabout200ftbetweenthewaves, whatwouldyoudo?"

Thepossiblechoicesweretoditchintowindas closeaspossibletothestall,or10-15ktsabovethe stall,ortoditchcrosswindalongthelineofwavesas closeaspossibletothestall,or10-15ktsabovethe stall.

Inconditionsgiveninthequestionthereisno doubtthattoditchintowindwouldbeadisaster;the aircraft would break-uponimpactwitha6ftwave

Competition

Reported byPhilPhillips

andnotgivemuchchancetotheoccupants. Thereforethechoiceisbetweenstallingtheaircraft intothewateralongthelineofwavesofflyingitinto thewaterundercontrol—airmanship.Obviouslythe slowestentryspeedisdesirable, but atthestallwitha 25ktscrosswind?Thechancesarethatevenavery experiencedpilotwouldmis-judgethismanoeuvre (bowoftendowepracticelandingwithastopped enginein25ktscrosswinds),andendupstallingin from10to20ft.Thusagainthechancesarethatthe aircraftwouldbreakuponimpactwiththewater. Thebetteranswerandtheoneconsideredcorrectis toditchtheaircraftintothewateralongthelineof thewavesundercontrolandabout10-15ktsabove thestallingspeed.

The second worstansweredquestionwhich65% gotwrongwas: "Inpilotnavigationwithoutradioaidswhatis themostimportantsingleaspect".

Thepossibleanswerswereaccuratetime-keeping, recognitionofuniquefeatures,readingfrommapto ground,readingfromgroundtomap,goodlookout, andwellpreparedmapandplan.About50%ofthe replieswentfor"wellpreparedmapandplan"which iscertainlyaveryimportantaspectbutthejudges answerwas"goodlookout".Maybethequestion wasslightlymisleadinginthatitsaidin"pilotnavigation".Howeverinmyopinionthisisnotso.Withoutlookoutyoumightnotgetanywhereandinnavigationwhenoneissobusywithothermatterstheone thingthatsuffersisgoodlookoutbut it istheprime requirementof all flyinginourtypeofaircraft.

The third worstansweredquestionwith62% gettingitwrongwas:

"Fogis—densewatervapourorsmokeparticles, oracombinationofthem,whichconsiderably reducesvisibleyardsorrespectively,whenthevisabilityislessthan550yds.,1,100yds.or1,500yds."

Well,meteorologicallyspeaking,fogisvisibility lessthan1,100ydsregardlessofhowthevisibilitygot thatway.Thefirstanswerisoneofthewaysof formingthetraditionalideaoffog.Bytheway,there wasnomarkingpenaltytothisquestionifitwere answeredgivingthefirstanswer and 1,100yds.but mostpeopleeitherwentfortheverbaldefinitiononly ortheverbaldefinitionplus"lessthan550yds. visability".

The fourth worstansweredquestionwason VMCrulesofallthings.Thepreviousquestionhad askedfortheVMCrulesatorbelow3000ftoutside controlledairspaceat120ktswithoutanIMCrating. Ofcourse,asweallknow,thereare2correctanswers tothisearlierquestion.BUT,60%ofcompetitors thoughtthatthecarryingofpassengersinthe circumstancesofthepreviousquestionmadeno differencetotheVMCrules.Itdoes,thevisability hastobeatleast3nmevenwhen"clearofcloudand insightofthesurface".

Bearinginmindthatthese4questionswerethe worstansweredperhapsthepaperwasn'ttoo difficult?Overall,therewasageneraltendencytoget therightanswerstothefactualquestionsbut airrnanshipquestionsdidnotdotoowell.Bythe way,ifanyonewantsthefullquestionpapertotest themselvesIhaveabout200spareandanSAE(about 9ins.by3ins,envelope)totheP.F.A.Officewillget youonebyreturn.IfsentbackIwillmarkthepaper foryouifyousowish.

Aika

SafetyinStripes

Wesatattheholdingpointoftherunway21at Sywellwaitingforthetake-offclearanceand watchingthestreamofarrivingaircraftbuffetedby thegustycrosswind.MinuteslateraPiperL4-H Cubcrossedthethreshold,silhouettedagainstthe greyskies.AWorldWar11veteranwouldhavebeen forgivenforpinchinghimselftomakesurehewas notbackonFrenchsoilin1944,forwithitsolive drabcamouflageschemesetagainsttheflatgreen countrysideofNorthamptonshire,itwasredolentof awartimeatmosphere.FlowninfromOldWarden aerodromebyitsowner,vintageaircraftclub memberDaveElphick,thelightweightU.S.Army AirForceartilleryspotterplanewassoonthecentre ofattentionformany"Cub"fans.DaveElphick, genialandwittyasalways,washappytorecountits historywhichstartedattheLockHavenFactory Pennsylvaniain1943.Fromtheretheaircraftwas shippedtoEnglandalmostayearbeforethefateful invasionofNormandyinJune1944,andindeedit wasoneofthefirstAmericanaircrafttolandin FrancewiththeU.S.Army.Itservedfaithfully throughoutthebloodyfightingwhichtookplace duringthewinterof1944-45andendeditsmilitary careeratKasselinGermanyinMay1945.From hereitwas'Liberated'bytheFrenchandputinto peacetimeservicewiththeNormandyFlyingClub thatsameyear.WithitsobserverstableandH.F. radiotransmitterremovedandthedualcontrols restoreditrespondedtobeginnersandexpertsalike initsroleasaclubtrainerformanyyears.Then,in 1970itwaspurchasedbyMauriceRobinsonand flowntoBlackbushewhereitwasenteredonthe BritishregisterasG-AXHR.Severalyearslateritwas acquiredbyDaveElphickandwasapopularvisitor toallVintageAircraftClubmeetingsfromthen on—andaspecialfavouriteofallthegroundmem-

tierswhoreceivedpassengerflightsinher.

Lastyear,DaveandhispaltnerMauriceBrett "withdrewhernomservice"foracomplete overhaul.Despitethemanyyearsofflyingtherewas notalotofworkrequiredtobedoneonthe airframe,apartfromcompletelyre-coveringtheold girl,anditwasatthisstagethedecisionwasmade toputherbackintomilitarycoloursasatributeto hersplendidwartimerecord.Manyvintageaircraft havebeenhastilydopedinpseudocamouflage schemestosatiatenostalgicappetitesbutDaveand Mauricewereverycareful.Mauricecarriedout muchresearchingbeforecommencingthepaintjob. AncientU.S.armycolourschememanualswere locatedand'chips'ofwartimepaintfromthe194044periodwerecolourmatchedtoasnearthe originalaspossible.Next,theU.S.Armycockades andexactmarkingsofthemachineduringthe194344periodwereresearchedfrommilitaryrecords. Stencilsweredrawnandcutforthenumbersand lettering.Atlastwhenallwasreadythedopewas applied,neutralgreyfortheundersides,olivedrab andmediumgreentopsides.Apartfromtheglass areas,nomarkingwasrequired,allpaintbeing appliedbyspraygunaslaiddownintheU.S.Army orders.

Whenthejobwasdoneitlookedperfect,but therewasjustonesnag—thecamouflagewastoo good—youcouldn'tseetheaeroplaneagainsta ruralbackground!Well,ofcoursethatiswhat camouflageisallabout,butitdoesnotlenditselfto thepeacetimesafetymotto"seeandbeseen".This problemwasresolvedbypaintingtheJune1944 invasionmarkingsonthefuselageandwings.The wideblackandwhitestrips,originallyrecognition markings,nowmakethelittlemachinevisibleunder anyconditions.QuoteDave,"Thosestripsmean safety—andyoucan'thavetoomuchofthat".

DaveElphick'sPiperL-411G-AXHRincivilianguiseduringarecentsummercamp.

Phom:A.Cha&ley

Thefutureofvintageflying

Arevintageaircraftdoomed?Doomed,thatis,to endupinmuseumsortojustrotawayinattics. ThatistheviewofMikeBeach,andaverycredible sliceoflogichepresentstosupporthisargument. Mike,builderoftheS.F.5Replica,winnerofthe topP.F.A.prizeatSywell,manofdetermination anddrive,needsnointroductiontothereadersof thismagazine.Whenhespeaksout,welisten.lieis convincedthattheendisinsightformostprivately ownedvintageaeroplanesduemainlytothelackof enginesparesandancilleryequipment.

Isheright?Ihaveasneakingfeelingthathe mightbe.Manyvintageaeroplanesthatsawregular serviceduringtheearlydaysofthevintageaircraft grouparesadlynolongerwithus.Lack or a replacementPobjoyenginehasgroundedatleast oneComperSwiftwhiletheremainingowners conservetheirflyinghourswithgreatcare,and cannotenjoythelimitlessflyingtimeofformer years.TheonceUBIQUITOUSTigerMothhas survivedthe10011petrolwarbutspareGipsy engineshaveonlybeenavailableasaresultofthe Chipmunk'slongevity.WherearetheMilesWhitney straightsorB.A.Swallowsthatgracedtheskiesten yearsago?Istherenohopeforpilotswhoenjoythe thrillsofopencockpitsandthewindinthoseold wiles?

Adistinctlybrightfuturelaysahead,affirmsMike Beach—Afuturewherereplicasofoldaircraftwill becomeasfamiliarwiththevintagecmhusiaqsasthe Mothshavebeenforthepasttwodecades.The replicaoffersallthe'Effects'oftheoldermachine, butwithareliablemodernengine,itssparesonlya phonecallaway,anda'known'airframefor acrobaticfreedom,andlibertyfromcontinual maintenanceproblems.

Vintageaircraftpilotsarejustlikeanyother pilotssaysMike,theyareinitfortheFlying.Flow longwilltheyputupwiththelengthyhoursof tinkeringjusttogetafewcircuitsorabriefvisitto anairshow?MikeBeach—youcouldberight.

Areyousufferingfromringworm?

Arcthereuglyconcentric Cracks appearing on yourprettylittletailplaneandwings?Isyourfabric oldbeforeitstime?Moderncellulosefinishes, designedforspamcansdon'thavethatresilience andflexibilitythatyouneedtokeepyoulooking beautiful.Nexttimeyourlovingownertreatsyouto anewcottonoutfittellhimaboutcastoroil.Yes, darling,thatright,justafewc.c.'sofcastoroilina gallonofdopeworkswonders.Itactsasa plasticiserandkeepsthecelluloseflexiblesothatit "moves"withthefabric.Nomorecracksfrom naughtylittleproddingfingersorclumsyboots.Use castoroil,andstaylookingyoungerlonger.(But don'tusetoomuch!)

TrueGrit

HurrahforTomStoreyandMartinBarraclough forhavingthegutstorestorethepercivalMewGull G-AEXF.TheAircrafthadtobecompletelyrebuilt fromscratchandwasa'TourdeForce'ofskilland determination.OurnationhasregainedaMew Gull—Thosefellowsdeservethehighesthonourswe canbestow.

DearSanta

Ihearthatduetoanindustrialdisputeatthe NorthPole,Rudolphandtheotherreindeerhave withdrawntheirservicesandthatyouwillbe makingyourChristmasvisitsinanancientPiper Cub—welldon'tforgetthecarbheatandwatchout loithoseT.V.aerials.Pleasesendgreetingsfrom theBeeswaxGangtoallreadersandremindthem thattheVintageClubSnowballRailswillbeat FinmereonSunday2IstJan.

VINTAGE AIRCRAFTmagazine

Idealreadingmaterialforloversofold aeroplanes.Nowestablishedasthe leadingmagazineinitsfield.

VintageAircraftbringsyouAirTests, MuseumReports,WorkshopReports, andmanyotherfeatures;notforgetting ourhistoricalarticlesinthe'Golden Age'series.

Samplecopies50p+10pP&P from

VINTAGEAIRCRAFTMAGAZINE 137Oasis)...Gardens,SouthWoodford,LondonEISINA England

C-AXHRrestoredtoitsoriginalU.S.Armycolours' byDaveElphickandMauriceBrett.Theinvasion markingshavemadeitmorevisibletootheraircraft.

Photo:A.Chalkley

THEBRITISHECCENTRICINPERSPECTIVE

TheBritisheccentrichasbeenaquaintinstitution forcenturies,enjoyingamixedreception,depending onhowoff-centrehisbehaviour.Hisimposition uponotherpeoples'orderwastoleratedifhewas additionallyamusing,butalinewasclearlydrawn somewhereandlesscrediblecaseswereassuredly lockedup.

Eccentricityis,ofcourse,anybehaviourwhichis deviantfromthewidelyacceptednormsandIcame toworkonitwithregardtomaladjustment, behaviourmodificationprogrammesetc.withyoung delinquents.However,thesameprinciplesapply throughoutallbehaviourandthepresentnormisfor thosepersonssowishingtotravelfreelyandrapidly todosowiththemodernorfactoryproduced aeroplane.

Thisimmediatelylabelsanyonewhoattemptsto travelwithan"outmoded"orquaintaeroplaneas decidedlydeviant.Tohavemadetheaeroplane yourselfis,ofcourse,dangerouslyunhealthy introspectionborderingupontheanti-social.The age-oldargumentabout"isolateorcure"stillrages andwhilstmanyattemptshavebeenmadetocontrol thedisease,muchasdrugaddictionishandled,ithas verymuchledtoalevelofacceptance,providedthe deviantbehaviouriskeptatasafedistancefromthe public.Thereforecoloniesofsufferersfromthe maladjustmentareallowedtocongregateintheirsocalled"struts"and,beingconsentingadults,they buildtheirflyingmachinesdiscreetly,flyingthem whenandwheretheycan.

Itishopedthatsuchdisadvantagedpeople, includingthosewhobuyready-madeeccentric aircraftwilleventuallybeacceptedbackintosociety andanumberofrehabilitationprogrammeshave beenattempted.Theirimageisaboutonaparwith ChiswickWomens'Aid,butbecomesrespectableat placessuchasSywell,wherethepublicwillmake someefforttocomeandviewthecorporate eccentricity.Justastheplaceforbeatenwivesis anywherebutnext-door,soitiswithlittle aerodromes.

Acceptanceblowshotandcold,however,asyou seewhathappenswhensomeonewantstooperatean AIRSTRIP,theultimateheresy.Neighbourswill turnintoCommittees,CouncilsintoBIGBROTHER andsuchwordsas"environment"and"amenity" willbehonedtoastateofsharpnessneverseen before.Strangely,theprotestersmightwellbecovert deviantsthemselvesandmightonceortwicehave succumbedtothetemptationofattendinganAir Display.Naturally,mostabnormalbehaviourcarries withitaguiltcomplex,andsothishastoberelieved. Thepersonconcernedwilldoubtlessclaimtohave givenintotheirchild'swishtoseesomeaeroplanes, ratherthanadmittotheurgepersonally.

ThetrueBritwill,ofcourse,beaccustomedto zoomingofftoMajorcainaneatlittlejetpackageat leastonceayear,butthatisadifferentthing altogether,duetoasubtletyofimageseparation. Howthepilotsofjetpackagescometobetrained hasnothingwhatsoevertodowithlittleaeroplanes andeccentricswhomightliketobejetpackagepilots someclay.Theyarejust"there".

Onbalance,thereisalevelofoperations maintainedapproximatelyonaparwiththebetter nudistclubs,theessencebeingnottomakeone's-self

byDissidentMICHAELOVITCHSTAPP (PatientNo.R532)

conspicuous.Iwouldpointoutthatthisisdifficult whenevernobodyhasgotmuchpetrol,thenthe heightofindiscretionistobeseentoflyona SUNDAY,asin1974.Thatislikearedragtoabull, althoughcuriouslyUncleGeorge & AuntieEdie couldsafelydrivetheirmechanisedroadcontraption onsuchSUNDAYwithoutmuchcomment,aslong astheydidnotdosoexcessively.Theywere,of course,nottooobvious.

Imageryrequiresalittlemoreexamination,asto whatisorisnotacceptableintheUKcorporate mentality.Itiswidelyassertedthatownersorflyers ofaeroplanesarefilthyrich,e.g.theymustbeifthey canaffordthosethingsandclimbintothemfrom plushclubhouseseachweekend.Popularbeliefhasit thatthiscanonlybeachievedwithwidespreadtaxevasion,perhapsburglaryandfraudthrowninand thewholethingispositivelyimmoral.Itisjusta shadeworsethanbelongingtoanexclusivegolfor yachtingclub,thewordbeing"exclusive".

Anyonewhois"excluded"fromanything naturallyfeelsaggrievedaboutitandwilleither attempttosetthebalancetorightsor,iffailingto, willgoonetoremovetheoffencealtogetherif possible.Thepointisentirelymissedthatsomeofthe mostactiveaeronautsarepoverty-strickenprecisely becauseoftheirairborneliability.Thattheypersevere andmakesacrificesisregardedassimilarinconcept toalong-termtakingofheroinandifpracticed indefinitely,itmaywellkillyou!Thewell-known TigerClubisasplendidexampleofallthese principlesassembledintoonecolonye.g.itis exclusive,itattractsthemostwildlyeccentricofall deviantswhobuildEXPERIMENTALaeroplanes themselvesandevenracethem!Tosaynothingofthe ridiculousexcessofflyingfifty-year-oldbiplanesand havingthetemeritytohandontheskillsofflying themwhichshouldhavebittenthedustunderaflurry ofCessna150syearsago.(Soitissaid.)The primitivesapparentlyflywithoutradioanddestroy thegrasswithlittleskids.

Thewidelyacceptedweaponagainstsuch horrendousdeparturesfromthenormisofcourseto taxit.Themulti-rateVATisjustsuchadevice, nicelyvariableasanoverallcontrolandifthingsget atalloutofhand,itcanbeaccentedjustabitmore onthediscouragementside.Quiteafewotherforms oftaxationappearonthehorizonintheformof "fees"bycertainwell-knownGovernmententities.

Thisisakintocigarettesmoking,e.g.the Governmentknowsmanypeoplearegoingtodoit, bothpartiestotheaffairknowitisextremelybadfor thehealthandyettheGovernmentwouldbehard puttofindtherevenueelsewhere.Thereforethereis acertainlevelofsmokingwhichleadstoanuneasy truceinwhichGovernmentandpeoplerubalong somewhatgrudgingly.ItIsallegedthatsmokerswho giveitupasabodywillexpecttobetaxedjustas badlyinsomeotherwayifitisdiscoveredthatthey areuptosomethingelse(possiblyhang-gliding?).

TheUSSRissomewhataheadofUKpracticein thetreatmentofbehaviourdisorderandone

AILERONACTUATINGTUBEPASSES THROUGHENTIRELENGTHOFFLAP

No.17 ofaseriesby AlanDunn

FLAPROTATESFREELY ONSAMETUBE

FINSPARS

51GALSFUEL INTHREECELLSTY OFEACHWING

FIXED FUSELAGESPAR /NAN.... INSTRUMENTPANEL//' ANDENGINE CONTROLS

NOSEWHEELSTRUT ANDSHOCKABSORBERS

PIANOHINGE COWLINGFASTENING

SERVORUBBER CONTROLSHOCK WHEELABSORBER

RUDDERPEDALAILERON ASSEMBLYPULLEYS

SWINGOUT MOTORMOUNT

ALLALUMINUMOUTERSKINPANELS ARECEMENTEDTOFUSELAGEFRAME WHICHIS063ALUMINUMANGLES BOLTEDTHROUGHJOINTPLATES

RUDDERPUSH PULLROD

AILERONACTUATOR LINKAGETOSTICK FLAPHANDLE ANDPOSITION BRACKET ANTISERVO ONPIANOHINGE

STABILATOR TUBESPAR ANDMOUNTS

EPDXYCEMENTED SEAMSARESAME FORJOININGALLRIBPANELS VERNIERSCREW TYPESTRAPS

FSPRINGSTEELMAINGEAR MOUNTSINBOXBEAM

THEBEDEBD-4

RUDDERCABLESTO RUDDERBELLCRANK STABILATORPUSHPULL TUBEFROMCONTROLSTICK

ALUMINUMSTRIP GAPCLOSURE

AILERONMASS BALANCELEAD

OURALUMIN WINGSPARTUBE

TheBD-4hasbeendesignedasatwoorfourplacemachinedependingonthesizeofengineused.However, underthepresentregulationsitisonlypossibletobuildthetwoplaceversionhereintheU.K.

TheBD-4hasacantileveredhighwingwitha64-415modifiedaerofoil.Aplainflapwith10,20and30degree deflectionisused.Theailerons,whichareofthesealedconfiguration,aredeflecteddifferentiallybyoneinch diametertorquetubes.The"PanelRibs"andtubularspararethemostinterestingfeaturesoftheaeroplane. Panelribsaremodularunitsoffibre-glasswhichmaybepurchasedsemi-finished.Someofthesearethensealed toformthefueltank.Eachpanel-ribholds7.2USgallons.Thesearethreadedontothesparwhichisnothing morethanabigtubeof2024-T3aluminium,usedjustasreceivedwithnomachining,formingorshaping.There areonlythreemajorcomponentsintheentireBD-4cantileverspardesign.Thecentresection,atubeofanO.D. of6.4inches,andtwoslightlylargerwingtubeswhicheachslide12inchesoverthecentresectiontomakesocket joints.TwoAN4boltssecurelylockeachjointandcarryallthetorsionloadsonthewings.Thismakesthe aircraftintoagoodfoldingwingdesign.

Theallmetalfuselageisfabricatedentirelyofsimpleflataluminiumgussetsandvaryinglermtlisofangles. AN3boltsandAN509flushscrewsandlocknutsareusedthroughoutandAN4hardwareisspecifiedforthe controlsystem.

Thehorizontalstabilizerisoftheallflyingtypeandisconstructedbywrappingapit-formedmetalskin aroundsixpre-formedmetalribspositionedona21"diameter2024-T3aluminiumspar.Theverticalfinand rudderareallmetalandareconstructedbyblindrivetingpre-formedskinsovertwo"U"metalspars.Any108 to200h.p.Lycomingcanbeused,howeverP.F.A.regulationswilllimitthistolessthan125h.p.While normallybuiltwithconventionalundercarriageitmaybebuiltasataildragger.

AnewcompanyhasbeenformedtomarkettheBD4intheU.S.A.sopartsshouldbenoproblem.

Write,fordetailsto:

Brockmore-BedeAircraft(UK)Ltd., Brockmoor,BrierleyHill, Staffs.,U.K.

PERFORMANCESPECIFICATION

from IANBURNETT

Proect ews

Asurprisinglylargenumberofprojectshavebeen registeredrecently—afurtherindicationofthe presentstrengthofourmovement.Quiteanumber ofyouhavetakentheopportunityofsecuring appropriatecombinationsofletters—theCAAhave kindlyagreedtoreservetheseriescommencingGPFAAforhomebuiltsandultralightmachines,so bearthisinmindwhenyouarethinkingofgetting thoseletters!Atthesametimepleaserememberto quoteyourPFAprojectnumber(theoneissuedby thePFAEngineeringDept)astheconstructor's numbertotheCAAaswellasanyotherplans numbersorpersonalconstructor'snumber—itmakes theirjobaloteasier,aswellasmakinglifemuch easierforthePfaArchivists!

P.F.A.Projects

554. TheRollason-builtTurbG-ARCZwasregisteredtoP.G.KynseyatRedhillon14.6.78.

1424. ThisTaylorMonoprojectwhichwas commencedin1970wasrecentlyregisteredwiththe veryaptmarksG-MONOtoA.DoughtyofBoston, Lincs.ItwasoriginallyconceivedbyF.Hambling locally,andhisc/nFOH.1isstillquoted.

1429. DaveHunterrecentlywrotetouswiththe goodnewsthathisMonoG-BEVSmadeasuccessful F/FatBartonon5.8.78,aftersomethreemonths awaitingclearancetofly.Davereportsthatthe flightwasuneventful,andthatthehandlingwas verypleasant.Bynowthetestscheduleshouldhave beenwellcomplete.

1452. AnothernewMonotoberegisteredrecently isG-DRAYwhichwasregisteredtoL.J.Drayof Worthingon13.7.78.

1454. NickColesTaylorMonoG-BNJCwas caughtbytheeditorialcameraatLyddearlierthis year.

registrationisinterestinginthat,apartfromgiving theAircampera"vintageflavour",itwasoneofa batchofmarksG-ADRAtoZwhichwerenever allocatedinthe1930's.

1547.J. 1.VisserregisteredhisVolksplaneproject asG-BINOon8.6.78,andinterestinglyquotedthe c/n3642/9,whichwesuspectmaybehisPFA membershipnumber!Constructionisproceedingin Aberdeen. 1663. Proofthatgoodmachinesneverdieis providedbyyetanotherTurbulent—thisonewas registeredasG-BFXGon10.7.78toS.Griffinof Hoddesdon,Herts.

2205.JurcaMJ.5SiroccoG-BFXMwasregistered on18.7.78toD.I.andW.A.BarkerofRAF Valley.Thisisthemachinewhichwasstartedby TerryDuhig,andwasagainpresumablyacquired part-finished.

3220.TerryMillerwritesfromHonitontotellus thathisTitchG-BTJMwasindeed,aswesurmised, boughtfromR.A.White,theribs,spars,tailplane, andrudderbeingcollectedfromhimlastMay.Since thenTerryhasconstructedthewingsandfuselage, andisproposingtofitan0-200upfront,whichhe saysshouldmakeitquiteahairybeast!F/Fis anticipatedinabout18months,butasTerrysays, hehatestogiveadate!

3009. FrankNuthallregisteredhisCurrieWotas G-BFWDon22.6.78.

7213. JohnDugganhassentusdetailsofhisV.P.2, whichmadeitsfirstflighton28thMay,1978.The eventtookplaceatCastlebridgeairfield,Wexford, andthepilotwasairfieldownerJohnO'Loughlin. Thereareonly2ihoursofflighttimetodateas work,badweatheretc.havedelayedthings. PerformancehasprovedtobetypicalV.P.Apart fromafewtrimadjustmentseverythinghasworked outverywellindeed,fromthewordgo.

Onlyoneflighthasbeenmade,sofar,twoup,and performancehasbeenratherpoor,howeversome trialswillbemadewithdifferentprops.Thepilot passengerweightwas350lbs.,forthedualflight,in nowindconditions.

Somedetails:

Engine: Singleignition1834ccV.W.Sumpcapacity increasedto1gl.Solexcarb.V.W.fuelpump. UusalPeacockconversion.Fuelcapacity14gals.

Prop: 60x30"pitchofownmanufacture.

Covering:CeconiteandDope.i"x1/I6capstrips gluedtoplywoodribs,thenfabricgluedtocap stripswithnostitching.

Under Carriage: Bentupinmyownvice. (ordinary4"benchtype)

Brakes: Differential.

1514. PientenpolAircamperG-ADRAwas registeredon10.4.78toMessrs.A.J.Mason&R.J. BarrettofAylesbury.Theprojectwasoriginally startedbyL.Leesley,andlikesomanyotherswa5 presumablyacquiredinapart-finishedstate.TM

Weight: 655lbs.dry(designweight640lbs.). MainSuppliersofmaterials:MetalDoncaster Sailplanes.A.N.Hardware:WoodsAeroplanes S.A.,Covering&Dope:Saywell.

BuildingTime: 2years&10months.

JohnO'Loughlinprovedtobeanexcellenttest pilot,hisexperienceandadvicebeingmosthelpful.

TheIrishAviationAuthoritiesgaveeveryhelp andencouragementandweretheveryleast of my problems.Althoughthisisnotimplyingthattheir standardsarenotorthehighest.

1willsendnewswhensomemorehourshavebeen flownoff,particularlyofMetwoupperformance, whichiswhatIimaginemostreaderswillwantto kCiOW.

25-10214.A..1.Waller or ShirrellHeathregistered hisNipperIIIasG-ENIEearlierthisyear.

31-10219.FalconarF-II-3G-ODELwasrecently registeredtoB.R.ArnallandG.Johnsonof Luton—wepresumetheregistrationwasthenearest theycouldgettoJodel.

74-10221.MentionedinPlyonseveraloccasions recently,OliverSmithregisteredhisVarie/easCr[LOSon10.7.78.Ithashisownc/n002,andbids fairtoloinhisSiroccoG-AZOS.

74-10222.M.J.ToozeofRochesterregisteredhis VariezeG-EMMYrecently.Theprojectalsohasthe c/n577quoted.

55-10279.R.SmythinformsusthathisTaylor MonoplanenowregisteredG-BEYWisprogressing wellandtodatethefuselage,finandrudderare readyforcovering.Theundercarriageiscomplete butrequiresinspection.

58-10294.DouglasCollinsonhaswrittentotellus thathehastakenoverthisCurrieWotprojectfrom B.P.MasonandregistereditG-MINI.

60-10319.GeoffWylderegisteredhisTaylorTitch asG-EOFFon6.7.78.

83-10359.Oneofveryfeworiginaldesignsto emergeinrecentmonthsisG-BGPIwhichisa PlumbBGP.IBiplane—constructoroneB.G. PlumpofHemelHempstead.Ofthiswewould naturallyliketohearmore.PerhapsMr.Plumbcan oblige?

55-10363.A.S.Nixon'sMonowasregisteredGMAOon18.7.78.

29-10396.ThepeculiarmarksadoptedbyR.V. Joyce'sFREDregisteredon29.6.78areexplained bytheprojectbeingundertakenbytheJohnBunyan UpperSchoolFlyingGroup—henceG-JBUS.

Ourpersonalandcomprehensiveserviceisalso availabletomeetmostotherindividualor COMmercialinsuranceneeds.

JohnDugganVP-2El-BDL.

ThisModelofG.PlumbsBiplanewasshownat Sywellthisyear

Thisun-registeredBD-5wasduetoreturntotheStatesaftertheFarnboroughshow.

OtherProjects

FirstitemofnoteisanotherF/Ftorecord—this isPittsS-1G-BIRDwhichR.N.Yorkdemonstrated tointerestedBritanniaAirwaysemployeesatLuton duringAugust.Newlyregisteredmachinesinclude AndreassonBA-4BG-BFXF(AAB.001)ofA. Brown,Sherburn-in-Elmet,andVari-ViggenGBMVV(5512)ofG.B.MorrisofKenilworth.Also newtotheRegisterisaUS-builtStardusterTooGKEEN.ThishasbeenimportedbyJimKeenof KeenairServices,Liverpool,andwasformerly N800RE.VariezeG-IPSIshouldofcoursehave beenG-IPSY—amistakeintheCAApaperwork, andourapologiestoMr.Fairclough!Machineson themoveincludeNipperG-AWJFwhichisnow ownedbyHarryShawatRAFWyton,andthe LutonMinorG-AXGRwhichhasmovedsouth fromScotlandforthefirsttime,andisnowwithT. WebsterofBattenhall,Worcs.Intherotaryfield thefirstUK-registeredRotorwayScorpion133GBFTOhasbeenregisteredtotheUK-agents RotorwayHelicoptersofNewbury,andMr.A.J.

PhilpottsofBude,Cornwallhasregisterednotone buttwoGyros—GyroflightHornetG-PHIL(16), andhisownBensenB.7G-BFYP(AJP.l).Finally likemanyofyouwhowenttoFarnboroughthe twointerestingmachinespresentwerethetwoBede BD-5's.Thepart-builtexampleinprimerislittle advancedsincewelastsawitatShobdonsometime ago,buttheonein"Strongbow"colourswasquite asurprise.Judgingbyitsappearanceithad obviouslyflownintheUSA—doesanyoneknow moreofitshistory?Asinpreviousyearsthelackof any"grass-roots"aviationpresenceatFarnborough madealastingimpression—evenmoresowhenone looksatthegenerousparticipationtheRSAfor examplewasgrantedatthelastParisshow—how aboutaPFApresencein1980,SBAC?

NewProjects

02-10372BetaG.Staples,91HarringtonDrive, ParkHallEstate,WestonCoyney,Stokeon-Trent.

15-10373Sonerai.J.J.Rose,Pinchbeck Farmhouse,MillLane,Sturton-by-Stow,Lincoln, LN12AJ.

84-10374G.K.-2Swallow.G.Knight,Folen Cottage,FinchDean,Portsmouth.

8540375Zephyr.K.McKay&Team,33Park Road,Lytham,St.Annes,Lancs.

86-10376WhittakerMW-3.M.Whittaker.

29-10377FRED.J.Goodfellow,42Windsor Road,Roydon,Southwold,Suffolk.

17-10378PazmanyPL-4.J.LePine,72CityWay, Rochester,Kent.

15-10379SoneraiL.A.Shipley,23StaffordAve., Shifnal,Shropshire.

60-10380TaylorFitch.J.Jennings,30Bunyard Drive,Sheerwater,Woking,Surrey.

09-10381PittsSpecial.I.M.0.Senior,Channings, LittleheathRoad,Fontwell,Arundel,Sussex.

55-10382TaylorMonoplaneD.G.Anderson,7 KilmcornockRoad,Monkton,Prestwick,Ayrshire.

62-10383EvansVP-1.A.R.Cameron,15Sawyers Close,Minety,Nr.Malmesbury,Wilts.

70-10384Osprey.G.Crossley,40FairmountDrive, Hambleton,Lanes,FY69EF.

17-10385PazmanyP1-4.F.Turner,93Turlin Road,Hamworthy,Poole,Dorset.

Brockmore-Rede'sBD-5

FlyingBeetles ByPhilCozens

Therehasbeenagreatdealofwritingandcasting ofopinionsinrecentmonthsabouttheengineswhich willpowerlightandultralightaircraftduringthenext fewyears.Conventionaltalesofwoetellusthatthe V.W.Beetleengineisbeingphasedoutofproduction andhence,willnolongerbeavailable.Theargument continuesthatunderthesecircumstances,weneed another60-80HPenginemadefrom0200parts, HillmanImpandsoonadnauseam:butnobody doesanything.Committeesdesigncommercial disasterssuchasTridentsandBrabazons,therefore itisuptotheindividualtoapplyhisskillandhisown moneyandtotakeariskonthesuccessofhisown enterprise.Whatfollowsisanaccountof investigationsundertakenbytwoaircraftenthusiasts (oneanexperiencedaerospacedesignerandtheother aprofessionalengineer)intoadaptinganautomobile engineforuseinaeroplanes.Furthermore,this investigationisnotmerelyapaperexercise,buthas involvedthespendingofseveralhundredpoundsto provideacommerciallyavailableconversionforthe engine.

IcontendthattheV.W.Beetleengine,forallits failings,isthebestthingavailablerightnow,and thatfewpeoplehaveseriouslytriedtomakeanaeroengineoutofit.Asforavailability,thisisnoreal problem—thinkhowmanyhavebeenmadeinrecent years—millions,andsparesarereadilyavailable fromnon-V.W.sourcesinadditiontogenuine Germanmanufactureditems.

SowhatelseiswrongwiththeV.W.?P.F.A. engineering(andV.W.)tellusthatmostaero applicationsofthisengineusethewrongendofthe crankshaftforpowertake-off.Iagree,thedesign loadingforthefanendoftheshaftis8HP.Youmay arguethatuptonowwehavegotawaywiththis, Idon'tintendtoflybehindapowerplantwhich'gets awaywithit',especiallywiththehigherpower outputsnowavailablewiththisengine.

Itistruethattheshaftspeedistoohighformost applications,givinghighpropellertipspeedsjustat thepointwheretheengineisbeginningtoproducea goodpoweroutput.Thishightipspeedcausesa reductioninpropellerefficiency,dueto compressibilityeffects.Wecandotwothingsto compensateforthishigherthanidealspeed;

Specifytheaeroplanetosuitthecharacteristics oftheengine.

Fitareductiongear-boxtotheenginetosuitit tothecharacteristicsoftheaeroplane.

RespecificationofAircrafttoSuitAvailableEngines

Inthespecificationofanydesign,compromiseis theorder ortheday,andthefinisheddesignmust accommodatecertainconstraintssuchas power available,money,lenghofairfield,numberofseats, etc.TogetthebestfromtheV.W.,theaircraftmust bemadetosuittheengine,sincewearenotina positiontoredesignit!So,wewantanaeroplanethat

allowstheenginetorunataspeedwherea reasonablepowerisavailable—sayupto4000 rpm—withoutexceedingapropellertipspeedof about85%Mach1(950ft/sec).Thisresultsina propellerdiameterofabout54"andtoabsorb60-80 HP,apitchofabout46:ThisishopelessforaLuton MinororTurbulent,theyaremuchtooslow.The bestachievedpropulsiveefficiencyfor airframe/propellercombinationsseemto beabout 85%—thatistosaytheratiobetweentheaircraft speedandthetheoreticaladvanceoftheairscrewis 0.85.

Airspeed(ft/min) =0.85

PitchxRPM(ft/min)

(Notethatthisissimplistic,butsufficientforthis argument).

Applyingthistoour4000rpmV.W.powered aircraft,itwouldbeflyingat 148 mph—definitely notaLutonMinor.Itisforthisreasonthatinthe U.S.A.small,lightweight,sleek,lowfrontalarea planesarebecomingsopopularforusewiththe V.W.,i.e.theRandKRIandKR2,SoneraiIandII andtheVarieze.

Dragreductionintheengineinstallationsofthese aircraftisofcriticalimportanceandisreducedwith thefittingofanextensiontothecrankshaftenabling abettercowlingshapetobeobtained.Thisreduction indragisduetoareductionofcoolingdraganda betterairflowfromthepropelleroverthecowling. OnceagainhighperformanceAmericanaeroplanes suchastheCessna310,displaybeautifulcowlings aroundenginesfittedwithextensionshafts.

Summarising:

I.ForadirectdriveV.W.installation,theengine mustbeallowedtorunatareasonablespeed (sayupto4000rpm)togiveagoodoutput.

Tominimisecowlingandcoolingdrag,an extensionshaftshouldbefitted.

Theaboveresultsinanaircraftwhichissleek, lightandfast.

Ifyouwanttopulla'barndoor'aroundwith yourV.W.,thenitshouldbefittedwithaspeed reductionunittoenableittoproduceagood poweroutputwithoutoverspeedingthelarge diameterpropeller.

Inaccordancewiththelineofargumentexpanded brieflyabove,wehavedesignedaconversionforthe V.W.whichprovidesdualmagnetodriveviaan enclosedgeartrainandanextensionshaftwiththe powertakeoffcoiningfromtheoutputendorthe crankshaft.Thisconversionboltsontotype2or3 enginesandinvolvesnoreworkingofthestandard V.W.Unit.Wehadourprototypeengineondisplay atSywellthisyear.Afterprovingofthesystem,we

willbeincorporatingavariablepitchpropellerwhich willgreatlyimprovethetake-offandclimb performanceofourhighspeedaeroplane.The workingsoftheV.P.propellerarecontainedwithin theexistingconversionunit.

ReductionUnits—Gearboxes,etc.

Supposingyoudon'twanttobuildorflyahigh speedhomebuill,andthatyouprefertopotterabout thecircuitinaslowflyingaeroplaneoncalmsummer evenings—about10hoursperyear—thenyouwill needtoreducetheoutputspeedfromthepowerunit ifyouaretousethepoweravailablefromtheV.W. Manyattemptsatspeedreductionunitsresultin prematurefailureorshortcomponentlife.Itisworth spendingsometimetofindoutwhythisshouldbeso.

Thetorqueoutputofapistonengineisnot uniform,itissubjecttoregularfluctuationsabouta meantorque.Thesefluctuationsareduetotwo phenomena:

Thenumberoffiringstrokespercrankshaft revolution.Forafourcylinderenginethiswill be2xenginespeed,forsixcylinderengine3x enginespeed,andsoon.Thefluctuatingtorque duetothepowerstrokes Iwillrefertoasthe 'powertorque'.

Theinertiaassociatedwithaccelerating pistonsand connectingrodsupanddown the cylinders.Thefluctuatingtorqueduetothis willhecalledthe'inertiatorque'.

Forafourcylinderengine,thefluctuatingoutput torquesarerepresentedinthegraphsinfigures1to4. Looking atfigure1youwillseetwofiring strokesperrevolutionandtwocompressionstrokes perrevolution.Thenetpowertorqueisthe arithmeticalsumoffiringtorqueandcompression torque,hasafrequencyof2xenginespeedandis centreredaroundthebrakemeaneffective torque—allshowninfigure2.(Forthepurposesof thisarticlethebrakemeaneffectivetorqueis consideredtobeindependentofenginespeed,which ofcourseitisnot;butbyusingthemaximumtorque valuewewillalwayserronthesafeside).

Theinertiatorqueiscertainlynotdependanto enginespeed.Itisanapproximatelysinusoidal disturbanceincreasingwiththesquareofengine

HOMEBUILDER SUPPLIES

FORMETAL,WOOD&GRPAIRCRAFT

SONERAIIICANOPIES, COWLINGS&FOLDED SPARS. WINGKITSMADETOORDER.

CAPACITYFORMACH

INING&FOLDING— UPTO8ft.LONG.

MATERIALSAVAILABLEINANYSIZEAND QUANTITY.

STENERHIRESCHEME

TRYOURUNIQUESKINFA

WRITELISTINGYOUREXACTREQUIREMENTS

SWALESSAILPLANES AIRCRAFTMANUFACTURERS LONGSTREET,THIRSK

Tele],hune THIRSK10845123096

speed,havingveryhighpeaksatspeedsabove3000 rpm,ameanofzeroandafrequencyof2xengine speed.Theestimatedinertiatorquecurvesforthe 1600V.W.areshowninfigure3forfourdifferent enginespeeds.

Thenettorqueoutputoftheengineisthesumot thenetpowertorqueandtheinertiatorqueatagiven enginespeed.Torqueoutputcurvesfortwoengine speedsareshowninfigure4.Atlowspeedsthc inertiatorqueisourfriend,sinceithasasmoothing effect(beingoutofphasewiththepowertorqueit actslikeaflywheel),butathighspeedwherethe powertorqueislesssignificant,thosehighpeaks dominate.ThisiswhatwrecksgearboxesifmeFtsures arenottakentoabsorb,dampen,orisolate[hese torsionalvibrationsfromtheinertiaofthepropeller.

Asanasideworkoutwhathappenswitha6 cylinderengine.Thepowerandinertiacurvesoverlap sincetheyrepeatevery120°orthreetimesper revolution—thisgivesamuchsmootherpower outputwiththetotaloutputtorquebeingmoreofa ripplethantheviolentpeaktopeakoscillationshown infigure4.Indeed,ifweweredealingwitha6 cylinderengine(ora3cylindertwo-stroke),our problemswouldbefewerandeasiertosolve.

VibrationIsolation,AbsorptionandDamping

Havingdeducedthenatureoftheoutputtorqueof theV.W.engine,letusconsidertheeffectofthis uponapropellerandreductiongearboxorbeltdrive.

Thcsystemmaybeidealisedasshowninfigure5. Ithardlyneedsstatingthatthefluctuatingtorque outputfromthcengineistransmittedthroughthe gears—the peakto peakvalueat5000rpmbeing8 timesthemeantorque!Gearsofsufficientstrengthto resistfailureinthisset-upwouldbe'agricultural'and noisy.lnordertoreducethetorquefluctuations transmittedthroughthegearbox,somemeasures mustbetakentoeventhemout.Conventionallyin automotiveapplications,thisisachievedbyfittinga flywheeltothecrankshaft.Therearereasonswhy thisisnotdesirableinanaircraft,weightbeingthe mostsignificant.(Onmy1600ccV.W.theflywheel constitutes22%ofthebareengineweight).

There areavailabletotheenginedesignerthree possiblesolutionstotheproblemofthesefluctuating engineoutputtorquesapartfromtheuseoftheflywheelandcanbesummarisedasIsolation, AbsorptionandDamping.

I.Isolation

Thisinvolvestheuseofaflexiblecoupling betweenengineandgearbox,thestiffnessof whichisofcriticalimportance.Thesystemis shownidealisedin figure 6.Beingaspringinertiasystemitwillvibrate(likeatuningfork orametronome)atitsnaturalfrequencyif givenaninitialdisplacementtwist.Supposewe applya range ofharmonicvibratingtorque inputsatthecrankshaft,thenthesystemwill alwaysoscillateatthefrequencyoftheinput torque.Noticefromfigure7thatastheinput frequencyincreasesfromzerotoinfinitythe torquefluctuations transmittedthroughthe gear-boxvaryinaveryinterestingway:the transmittedtorquefluctuationsgrowrapidly untilresonancewheref=fnandthereafterthey fall.Beyondf/fn=i2thetransmittedtorque fluctuationislessthantheinputtorque:thisis

EngineInertia Propeller

Engine InertiaofGears(Equivalent) IneriinofPropeller(Equivalent)

Oscillating Torque Input (FREQ.=F)

L,=12 NI,=NI2

Fn= fiurc.P.s. 2n

Where:—

K=CouplingStiffness(Nm/Radian)

=InertiaofCrankShaftAssembly(Kgm2)

I-=7Engine Speed

Xo()inputTorque) X2 inpul ToNne

Engine =LoadonFrietionPlate]

FIGURE5

Cicars

FIGURE6

FIGURE8

FIGURE7

FIGURE9

theoperatingregimewhereisolationissaidto apply.Thepracticalityofallthisisthatat speedsofsay5xfn,onlythesteadystatemean torqueistransmittedthroughthegears—the fluctuatinginputisisolated.

Inourdesigndevelopmentforagear-boxfor theV.W.,wewereunabletofindasuitable flexiblecouplingtogivevibrationisolation betweenthepropellerandcrankshaft.Thiswas fortworeasons:

Thelowinertiaofthecrankshaft assembly.

Thelowinputfrequencyoftheengine:2x enginespeed.

Wewantedtogetisolationbeyond500rpm,so thenaturalfrequencywouldbe(fromfigure6):

fn=2x500=12cyclespersecond—

/2x60

rearrangingtheequationinfigure6:

=ZnIn2

SincefnandIarebothlowvalues,itfollows thatkwillbesmall—inthecaseofthe1600 V.W.thccouplingwouldbeso'soft'thatit would`wind-up'by25°underthemeantorque outputoftheengine!Ifanyoneis contemplatingtheuseofaflexiblecouplingon theV.W.,bewarned—mostofthoseofthe correctpowerratingwillgiveresonanceatsome pointintheengine'sspeedrange.

Weconcludedthatflexiblecouplingsareonly suitableforengineswith6cylindersormore, whereinputfrequencyishigher.

2. Absorption

Theprincipleofvibrationabsorptionissimply demonstratedbyiheexampleshowninfigure 8—onesimplependulumhangingfreelyfrom anotheridenticalone.Trythisasan experiment—holdthemassesinthepositions shownandthenreleaseboth.Themasseswill moveinoppositedirections(outofphase)and theresultingoscillationwillbeshortlived.

Togeneraliseonthisprinciple:ifyouhavea systemvibratingataknownfrequency,f,then fitasub-systemwithanaturalfrequency,fn, suchthat:

fn=f

Thesub-systemwillvibrateoutofphasewith theinputfrequencytherebyapplyinganequal andoppositeforcewhichreducesthenet vibrationalamplitudeofthesystemtozero.

Thepracticalapplicationofthisisthewell known'Solomon'pendulum'damper'usedon radialenginesandmodernLycomingengines. Thesearefittedtothecrankshaftwebsand mustobviouslybeincorporatedatthedesign stage.

Damping

Dampingisthedissipationofunwanted vibrationalenergybyfrictionandtherefore, representsawasteofenergyandhence,asmall

reductioninpoweroutput.Theprincipleis demonstratedbytheLanchestertypeof damper-presumablyinventedbythegreatman ofthatname.Consideragaintheidealised systemdrawninfigure5,butthistimewitha frictionmember(figure9)likeaclutchplate insertedbetweenthegear-boxandtheengine.

Theload,L,onthefrictionplateisadjustedso thattheplatewillslipwhenthetorqueexceedsa certainvaluedependantontheloadlimitfor thegears.ThisisOKforthosepartsofthe engine'soperationwhererunningupthrougha resonantbandmayrequiredampingforashort period,butitisnosolutiontotheproblems showninfigure4wheresustainedhighspeed operationisencountered.Thiswouldinvolve continuousslippageofthe'clutchplate'giving highwearrates,hightemperatures,andwaste ofpower.

HaveyoueverwonderedwhythoseVEEbelt systemsseemtowork?Mostofthetorque fluctuationsarctransmittedthroughthisvery stiffreductionunittothepropellerwhichacts likeaflywheelbutthehighpeaktorquevalues causethebeltstoslip—justlikeaLanchester damper—theexcessvibrationalenergybeing dissipatedasfrictiononthepulleys.Thiswould accountforthelowlifetimeofVEFbeltsand pulleysinreductionunitsofthistype.

ConclusionsforReductionUnits

I.Forour4cylinderV.W.engine,aflexibledrive couplingisnotfeasibleduetolowstiffness required.

2.DampingoftorsionalvibrationsbyLanchester typedampersisnotfeasibleduetohighwear ratesandheatbuild-up,althoughfluid couplingsrelyingonviscousdampingare apotentialsolution.

Analyticalworkoutsidethescopeofthis articlehasshownthatpendulumtypevibration absorberscouldreduceoutputtorsional vibrationstoanacceptablelevel.However, thesearedifficulttoincorporateintoan existingengine.

4.Ifaweightpenaltyof25Ibsisacceptablethen theflywheelshouldbeleftontheengineandall considerationsofvibration,etc.,shouldbe forgotten.Thiswouldgiveareductionunit weighingabout55Ibsgivinganallupengine weightofatleast200lbswithoutelectric starter,etc.

Giventheweightpenaltyandcostofa reductionunit,plusthelargerandhencemore expensiveairframeforwhichitisrequired,I feelthatthesmall,fasterultralightisthetypeto gofor,suchastheSonerai.

TheSoneraiistailormadefortheV.W.andso fulfillstherequirementsofthefirstpartofthis article.Withastallspeedof45mphanda cruisespeedof125-140mph,avariablepitch (twoposition)propellerisagreatassetandis thenextdevelopmentofourengineconversion oncethefixedpitchcomponentshavebeen fullytested.

(OH!bytheway,1antbuildingaSonerai!)

Havingdecidedtospendoursummerholidaysin theFrenchprovincesofPerigordandQuercyit cameassomethingofasurprisetolearnthatforthe secondtimeinthreeyearstheReseauduSportde l'AirhadarrangedtheirNationalrallyin approximatelythesameareathatweweretovisit. Ofcoursemywifedidn'tbelievemewhenItoldher thegoodnewsthesameasin1976whentherally wasatSt.Junien;Ikeptonhearingcommentslike whichcamefirstthechickenortheegg'.

Brive-la-GaillardeisinS.W.Franceatthe crossroadsofthreeprovincesBas-Limousin, PerigordandHaut-Quercyandthenametianslated means'Brivethebold'fromthedayswhenthetown wascontinuallyundersiegeandthecitizens apparentlyshowedoutstandingcourageinresisting. TodaythetownistypicalofFrenchprovincial centres,onethatthetouristswouldnormallypass throughwithhardlyaglanceontheirwaysouthon onR.N.20.

OntheSaturdaymorningoftherally(29thJuly)I leftwifeandfamilybythesideofthecampsite swimmingpoolhardlynoticingI'dleftanddrove30 kms.northtoBrive.Theweatherwasexcellentwith hardlyacloudintheskyandvirtuallynowind.This situationwastochangeontheSundaywhenthe anticyclonebrokeandwetwindyconditionsspread infromthenorthwest.However,asthe photographsshowmyvisitwaswelltintedandthe orderofthedaywasicedlemonadeanddodging fromwingtowingtoshadeyourselffromthesearing heat;infactthehumidconditionsshouldhavebeen awarningaboutwhatwasinstorefortheSunday.

TheaircraftatBrivewerestrictlysegregatedinto homebuiltsandothersandafterlandingtheformer weremarshalledtotheleftandtheothersincluding suchgemsasaTigerMothandfourNord1203 Norecrinstotherighttorubwingtipswiththe spam-canelement.Infactthislastcommentisnot reallycorrectas1countedonlytwoCherokeesand notmanymoreCessnasoutofover200visitorson therightofthetaxi-way;themajoritywereassorted productsoftheFrenchlightaircraftindustry, Robins,Jodels,Wassmers,Fourniers,Rallyes,etc. whichonlyservedtoemphasisethe'national'nature oftherally.

Andsotowhattheeventwasallabout,the homebuilts.OntheSaturdayIcountednearly150 suchaircraftwiththeinevitableJodelvariants dominating,namelyD.92BebesandD.11's.Starsof theshowandemphasizedbythecontinualarmyof inquisitiveonlookersalwayssurroundingthem,were theCrosesEC-9ParasCargoandAndréStarcks AS-37.TheEC-9isthebiggestandugliest 'hotnebuilt'aircraftIhaveeverseenbutnonethe lessflieswell,poweredbyits180hpLycorningflat fourandisdoubtlesswellsuitedtotheroles describedonthefuselagesideofstretchercase evacuation,parachuting,agriculture,generalcargo andnotleastofallbearinginmindthe accommodationIhadleftafewhoursbefore, camping!Theaircraftisinthe'Pou'modeofallof

EmillionCrosesdesignswithafixedrearwingand pivotingforwardwing.Thefinishleftalottobe desired,theaircraftalmostappearingtohavebeen handpaintedinitsundistinguishedsilver-grey scheme;onreflectionthoughwithsuchanaircraftit doesnotrequireastrikingpaintschemetoattract attentionandbeingaprototypeaprocessofminor modificationsisdoubtlessunderway.

Sevenotheraircraftwerepresentwhichfollowed inthis'Pou'trendincludingthreevarients orthe smallerCrosesEC-6CriquetandtwoMumet HM.360's.

ThedesignsofAndreStarcksseemtoproliferate andindrawingformhislatestAS-90Newlook,a singleseaterresemblingaBowersFly-Baby,was displayed.However,outsideontheairfieldStarcks hardwareeclipsedeverythingelseintheformofhis twoseatbiplanedesign,theAS-37.AtSt.Junienin 1976heboughthissingleseatmidgetracerwith biplanewings,theAS-27,andnowin1978heseems tohavegoneseveralstepsfurtherretainingthe shoulderbiplanearrangementbutusingtwinpusher propellersdrivenby'belts'fromone60hpCitroen GSaircooledenginecowledneatlybehindthe cockpit.Acruiseofabout112mph,twoupon60hp isclaimedandwhilsttheaircraftperformedwellin thedemonstrationsgiventherewasnowayof confirmingthisclaim.ExamplesoftheStarcksAS71Jac,AS-75andAS-80allfarmoreconventional aircraft,weretobefoundamongstthehomebuilts.

Gyro-copters,glidersandhang-glider"copters" werewellrepresentedbuttheFrenchauthorities continuinguncertaintyinsuchactivitieswasevident inthe'W'seriestestregistrationsthatmostofthe machineswore.OnegyrohadsixWelsh-flagstickers decoratingvariouspartsofitsanatomyforareason thatIwasunabletodiscover;perhapsthis Frenchmanhadatlastrealisedthesuperiorrugby nation!APottierPA15-34KitClubgliderwason showandasthenamesuggestscanbeboughtinkit formforconstructionbyamateurs.

Twopersonalitiesfromtheworldoflightaviation werenotedinspectingthehomebuilts,Jean Delmontezremainingpartneroftheincomparable .10Tey/DELemontezteamwhose'crank-winged' designshavedominatedhomebuiltandlight aviationforovertwentyyearsandCharlesFlauvel whohadbeenbuildinganddesigninguniquetail-less glidersandaircraftfornearlythirtyyears.The P.F.A.wererepresentedbynoneotherthanits Chairman,Mr.D.F.B.whoflewdowninhisWot, theWhitings,fromThirskintheirTailwind,Geoff ClaxtonfromSwanseaintheJodelD.112G-AYBP, BobOgdenandseveralotherswhoseaircraftwereto beseenscatteredamongsttheirFrenchcompatriots. Althoughtheresultsoftheofficialcompetitionsare unknowntomeIwouldfeelsafeinspeculatingthat theprizeforthemostmeritoriousflightwentasit didatSywell'78toStattenEkstromfromSwedenin hisJodelD.113SE-XDA.Otherparticipantswere notedfromGermany,Belgium,Switzerland,Italya

somewhatlimiteddistributioncomparedwiththat atSywell.

MarcelJurca'sdesignswererepresentedbyno fewerthansevenMJ.2TempetesandfourM.I.5 SiroccosincludingtheoriginalprototypeF-PJSX. ThelargeSwisscontingentthathasbecomefamiliar atalltheEuropeanrally'sincludedJean-Claude GeuxinhisRekcubHB-YAZandMaxBraggerin hisMB.3Colibri.TheMB.2Colibriisnowvery popularinFranceandtwonewexampleswereat BriveF-PYEZandF-PYFE.AlbertGatardsdesigns wererepresentedbyhisAG-01Alouette,twoAG-02 PoussinsandtheAG-04Pigeonallwiththeirunique

tripleflapsandfinallythisreportcannotbe completedwithoutmentionofClaudePielwho continuestodesignandbuildmodificationsonhis originalandwellknownEmeraude,withthisyeara CP604SuperDiamantandCP70beingshown.

Withthecooloftheeveningbeginningtoengulf theairfielditwastimeformetoleaveBrive.My camerahadbeenclickingawayalldayrecordingthis mostmemorableeventandwasdoubtlessas exhaustedasitsoperator.Itwasbacktothe campsite,abeautifullyrefreshingswimandan eveningmealtocompletewhatwasformeoneof thehighlightsoftheholiday.

Photostoptobottomlefttoright:OneoftheBritishhomelmillstoreachBrivewasDonLordfromShorehamin hisJodelD.11G-AWMD.Theunique.Starcks A S-37poweredbyasingleCitroenC;Senginewithtwobeltdriven propellers.AnewexampleoftheGwardAS-02Pou.ssinF-PXKB is shownnextfollowedbyE-PYFEoneofthe twonewFrenchbuiltColibrisBrive.ThetopphotointherighthandcolumnshowstheenormousCroses EC-9ParasCargoarrivingatBrive,belowthisaretwoHAI.360Fleas,theCrosesEC-9derivationfromthebasic Fleadesigncanbeseenwithgoodeffect.NextcomesF-PHHLSipa1000Coccinelle,averypleasantlooking design.ThelustphotoshowsF-PEDAaOatardAC'-IAlonettethefirstofthemanyOatarddesigns.

PhotosbyGeoffreyJonesandDonLord

IslandFever

ByPatHolmes

LastMay,IwasdefinitelysufferingfromIsland Fever,aftermysuccessfulflighttotheShetlandsin theFournier,G-AVWZ:soyoucanimaginemyfeelingsatworkonfindingmyselfbreakingdownthe rushesforaNationwideprogrammeonOseaIsland, andseeingbeforemyveryeyes—yes--anairstrip! WherewasOsea?I'phonedtheproductionoffice! 'It'sinEssexintheRiverBlackwater'camethereply, 'couldIhavetheownersnameandtelephone number','yes',Iwrotethenumberdownwith tremblinghands,IwasgoingtogetanotherIsland.

Asithappened,thefollowingweektookmeto thatareafortheP.F.A.fly-inatStapleford(by Tawney).Whilstontheground,Ichattedupthe localsandgotthegenontheIsland.Unauthorised landingswerediscouraged,thelocalfarmerwasvery activewithhisshotgull,therewerefiercedogs,etc., etc.,allthisaddedspicetomydesireto'landon'.On mywayhometoShoreham,Idetouredtheodd30 milestotheBlackwatertohavealookformyself.I soonfoundtheIslandwithitstwograssrunways,on theEasternend.Theplacelookedquitebeautifulin theearlysummersunlight.ItwaslowwaterandI couldseethecausewaythatrunsoutfromthe NorthernShoretotheIsland.Thisroadwayistotally submergedunderabout20ft.ofwaterathightide, andthemile-longdriveisonlypossibleforavery shortperiodoneithersideofdeadlowwater.Idida lowpassoverbothrunwaystoexaminetheground andthensetoffforShoreham.

Acoupleofdayslater,Itelephonedtheownersof theIsland,andaftersomecautiousquestions regardingthereasonforrequestingavisit,plusnly flyingcapabilities,Iwasgivenpermissiontolandthe

comingweekend.TheIslandwasupforsale,though 1hadtoconfess,Iwasnotinthebuyingmarket.My interestincollectingIslandswasnotconsideredtoo eccentric,andtheownershopedthatIwouldenjoy myself.

ThatSundayIhauledtheFournieroutofthe hangarandbookedoutwiththetower.Igotquitea kickoutofnamingOscaasmydestination.'Where?' saidAirTraffic.'Osea'saidI'intheRiver Blackwater"Neverheardofit'camethereply.The windwasalightnortherly,soItookofffrom03and headedupthevalley-1calledGatwickandwas clearedover-head,soonIwaspassingKenleyandup aheadlayGreenwichPlace.Theweatherherewas vettingmurkywithlowstratusandathicksoggy greyfrontthatjustsquatteddiagonallyfromDoverto theMidlands.Itwasn'tmoving,andfortunatelywas onlyabouttwentymileswide.AsIcrossedtheriver, 1turnedovermymapandcompletelywipedthe chinographlineofftheglossysurface.Atthesame timeItookmyeyesofftherailwaylineI'dbeen pickingupontheBarkingside.Simultaneously1shot intoacloudat2000h.Igingerlyturnedontomynew heading,whichIhadonmyclipboard,andjustsat thereforwhatseemedlikehours,butwasinfact abouttwominutes.1shotoutofthesideofthecloud andcouldseenothingthatIrecognised.Ichanged frequencytoSouthendandsoundingalotbraver than1felt,announcednlyselfasinboundtoOsea witheighteenminutestorun.Southenddidn'task whereOseawas,buttheydidaskwhereIwas!I hadtoconfessIwasalittleuncertainofmyexact position—butthatIwasat2000ft.steering060°with mylastfixedpositionascrossingtherailwaylineat Barking.Southendthenconfirmedthattheyhad somethingonRadarcrossingBillericay,andaskedif Icouldseeawaterreservoir.Beforetheir transmissionended,thereservoircameintoview, andtheairclearedintoweaksunshinewithathintop cover of cloudwayuphigh.Iheavedasighofrelief andcouldjustmakeoutMaldonahead.AsIcame uptothetown,1couldseeanestofmastsfrom Moored ThamesbargesandNorthernIsland,thenrst ofthetwoIslandsintheBlackwater.Behinditlay OseaandIbeganaletdownforalook-secpriorto thelanding.

Takinginwindvelocityanddirection,Ialsocalled Southendtogettheirweather,astheyareonly15 milesSouthofOsea.TherunwaysontheIsland,ifI remember,are03/21and29/11.Thewindwas stronger03soIdidacarefullowpasstohavealook. Therunwaysttrelookednarrow,andthefieldson eithersidewereundercornthatappearedtobeabout 18incheshigh.Iusedtoflygliders,soyougetan instinctaboutthesethings.Idecidedtogoround oncemore,toseeifthewingswouldfitandagainI didaslowishlowpass-Thewindwasdeadonthe nose,soIreckonedI'dhavea 20. Ipinthegear down,climbedbackto800',didanicesteady circuit—ratherwiderthistime,andmadealongslow finalswiththethrottleclosedandhalfspoiler.Iwas readyto,lamthebrakesshutandopenthetapatthe slightesttroubleandgluedmyeyestoanimaginary centreline,Icrossedtheshorelineandimmediately flaredandheldoff.Ishouldhavesaid,theislandis atitsnarrowestatthispointastherunwayrunsfrom shoretoshore;anundershootorovershootwould bothendupintheoggin.Ilistenedforthesoundof rustlingcorn,andquicklyturnedmyheadtogetan

Pats'FournierG-AVWZPhoto:MikeJerron

ideaofthewingtipclearancewhenIfeltthemain wheeltouch.Iheavedasighofreliefandrolledtoa stop.AsIlookedaroundme,IrealisedtheFournier wassuchatightfitontherunway,I'dhaveto manhandleitround.Itaxiedaheadtothe intersectionandswitchedoff—Igotout—liftedthe aircraftroundandthenpulleditbackbyhandtothe threshold.Iparkedofftherunwaybetweenthecrops andabroombushandthentookstockofmy surroundings.

Icouldhearthewaveletsbeatingontheshoreand thehalyardstappingagainstthemastsofsome mooredyachts.Therewasawoodenpiernearby,and aThamesbarge.ItwasthenthatIrealisedthatI'd notseenawindsock—buthadusedthemasthead pennantofthebargeasmywindvane.Isecuredthe canopyoftheaircraftandwalkeddownagrasspath, leadinginaWesterlydirection.Afteraboutten minutesIcametoabighousebuiltintheEdwardian period.ThewindowswereopenandIcouldseeintoa bigdiningroomwitharefectorytable,laidforat leasttwentypeople.thegrasspathaheadledmetoa wellkeptgardenwithneatlymowedgrassand weededflowerbeds.Icalledout'isanyoneabout?'. Therewasnoreply—Iturnedthecornerofthehouse andcamefacetofacewithapeacock.Heputhis headbackandletoutseveralpiercingscreams.Iwas rootedtothespotasitwastotallyunexpected.ThenI noticedseveralpeahensroostinginthetrees,andI lookedagainattheflowerbedswithagreater understanding.Thepeafowlshadeaten,notonlythe weeds,they'deatentheplantsaswell;theneatflower bedswerejustwellarrangedpatternsofbareearth.

lcontinuedmywalkawayfromthehouseand turnedintoagravellane,thiseventuallyledmeto whatcouldbedescribedasthevillagesquare.Several smallclapboardcottagesthatwereobviouslylivedin, andonebigfretworkpalacewichremindedmeofEel PieIsland,thatborewarningnoticestotheeffect thatthebuildingwasdangerous.IthoughtIheard voicesinthedistancesoIcalledover'isanybody there',thevoicesstoppedanddidn'tanswer.Islowly walkedon,thelanetookmetotheNorthernshore oftheisland,anddisappearedintotheBlackwater.It washightide,theislandwascompletelycutofffrom themainland,therewasnowayoffexceptbyboator air.

Iretracedmystepsthroughthe'village'andback pastthebighouse,thewindowswerestillopen,there wasnooneabout,exceptthepeafowls.Thecock screamedatmeagainasIwalkedbacktothe

ContinuedfromPage12

occasionallyhearsoftheircomprehensiveNational HealthServicewhichprovidesforre-educationofthe disadvantagedsuffererfromdeviancy.Iamquite familiarmyselfwith"treatmentprogrammes"for juveniledelinquentsanditisjustashortsteptothe organisedreformofthosewhoseinclinationsdrive tnemtodefensivecoloniessuchasthedreaded POPULARFLYINGASSOCIATION.Thisuneasy minoritycommuneattemptstotreadthetightrope betweenrespectabilityandoutrightpermissiveness. Fortunately,inrecentmonths,theheadlineshave beencommandedbysuchfuroresaschildpornography,whichisregardedasaworsevicethan popularlyflying.Itisallamatterofdegree,yousee. Onemightwellspreadalarmanddespondency widelyaboutchild-pornography(realorimagined)in orderlargelytodivertattentionawayfromones'own viceswhichcanbepursuedwithcomparativelylittle interference,butthatisjustmyopinion.

Specialattentionwouldundoubtedlybereserved fortheARCH-DISSIDENT,theINSTRUCTORof eccentrics,whonaturallyisamostseriousthreatto

Fournier.Ipulledtheaircraftontotherunway thresholdandstruckthechockunderthewheel,I heardvoicesandlookedup—threeThamesbarges camepastonthetide,makingtheirwayupto Maldon,theywereonlyafewyardsoffshore.The voicesIheardwerethoseofthehelmsmencallingto eachother.Thesebigboatscanbesailedbyonlytwo men,theymovedeffortlesslythroughthewater, poweredbythewindintheirbigspritsails.Iwatched thempassoutofsightbehindthetrees,therewas somethingverymagicalaboutthisqueer,seemingly desertedislandwiththesailingbargesfromanother century.IfeltJ.M.Barriemighthaveuseditfora fairystory.Acoldbreezebegantospringupandso, IfireduptheFournierandclimbedin.Ididmy checks,hauledthechockintothecockpit—locked thecanopyandtookoff.Iflewalowlevelcircuit aroundtheisland,lookingtoseeifIcouldsee anyone.Therewasnoone,butIfeltIwasbeing watched.IcalledupSouthendandfiledmyflight planbacktoShoreham.Maldon,theThamesbarges andOseafellawaybehindme,andIgotonwiththe businessofflyinghome.

Therearemanyinterestingflightsofthissortto bemadefromyourlocalfield,theonlypointsI wouldmakeareasfollows:—

I)Neverbombintoanyone'sprivatestripbefore ingpermission,youcanusuallyfindoutthe owneroroperatorifyoutryhardenough.Thelocal policestationisagoodstart,followedbythevicar, heusuallyknowswhatgoesonintheparish.

Ifyoucan'tvisititbyfootfirstofall,doa 'precautionary'tolookatthesurfaceandjudgethe hazardsbefore'landingon'.

Flyyourselfapropercircuittolandoff,makeit theslowestsafespeedyoucanhandle,therunway justmightbeshorterthanyouthink,bereadyto overshoot.

CheckwiththeCFIifyou'reusngaclub aircraft,toseeiftheinsurancecoversyou,lotsofold establishedstripsarecoveredbytherecognised airfields'clauses'—butsomeofthenewerandmore secret,arenot—aquickcheck—privatestripsin Pooleysguidearenearlyallrecognisedbecausethey arepublished.

Becareful—havefun!

goodorderanddiscipline.Heshouldbelockedup forthwithintheopinionofmany,butthe progressivesmightholdoutsomehopeforhis reform.Asyouwellknow,someofthesemost dangerouspeoplehavebeenrunningGROUPS devotedtoteachingtheskillsofhandlingdeviant aircraft,someofwhichevenhaveONELITTLE WHEELattheback!Thisissomewhatsimilarto runninganIRAenclaveoramilitantbutunder-cover Marxistcell,notatalltobeencouraged.Lastlya wordabouttheshockingdissidentliteraturewhich hasbeengettingaboutlately,smuggledoutofhighsecurityestablishments,nodoubt,byEXAMINERS offlyingdeviantswhodaretopracticetheircrafton hatefuldeviantmachinesoflessthanacertainhorsepowerorweight.(Theworstkindofcourse.)My "show-trial"wasaframe-up,ofcourse,andIwill neveradmittocontributionstothefrightful undergroundPFAMagazine.Shallweeverseea PFAspokesmanattheHumanRightsCongressin Helsinkiorwherever?Takeheart,struts,whilewe plotandfly,comethenextrevolution,brothers! Heavens,mycellISgettingdampthesedays....

STRUTTINGAROUND

WithJimWills

HIGHLANDSTRUT

Reportedpreviously,infactintheJuly/August column,wasthecampweekend,tohavebeenheld bytheHighlandStrutatFearnAerodromeinRossshireonAugust5th&6th.

Hadtheeventmaterialiseditwouldhavebeenthe Strut'ssecondannualrallyandonethattheStrut's member'swerelookingforwardto,however,almost attheeleventhhourmembershopesweredashed whenaletterwasreceivedfromAOPAsettingout theStrut'simpliedobligationsandresponsibilitiesto thegeneralpublicintheeventofanaccident.

AOPAweunderstand,kindlyofferedtoarrange insurancefortheeventalthoughthiswouldhave costbetween£55&£60perdayfor£1millioncover. Howevermuchofabargainthismayhavebeenit wastoogreatanamounttosharebetweentheStrut, whosemembershiptotalsjustSIXdedicatedPFA 'erssomeofwhoseprojectsarenotduetobe finishedforacoupleofyears.Itiscreditworthyof theStrutthatsomeof it's memberstriedvarious fundraisingschemesbutalas,withoutsuccess.

Wehopethatthededication,enthusiasm,and thoughtforothersshownbytheHighlandStrutin cancellingtheirfly-inunderthecircumstances will, nextyear,berewardedbyenough aerialvisitorsto maketheeventworthwhile.Ifyouwilldefinitely wanttoattend,thenwhynotwritetotheCoordinator DonaldMcNichol,at47,Robertson Crescent,Keiss,Caithness,Scotland,whowouldbe pleasedtohearfromyou.

WewonderhowmanyStrutsmayinthepast, haveheld afly-inwithoutproper(oradequate) insurance cover,simplythroughlackofthoughtof theconsequencesthatanaccidentmightbring?Flyinscanandshouldbefunandwiththepeaceof mindthataproperinsurancecoverbrings,onecan sitbackandenjoyit.

SOUTHERNSTRUT

TheJunemeetingoftheSouthernStrutfielded anearcapacityattendanceofitsmemberswho wereentertainedbyStrutmemberAlanDunn.Alan, anaircrafthistorianandkeenphotographer,providedmemberswithanenlighteninnlookatthe ConfederateAirForceintheU.S.A.(thesefolk actuallyrestoreandflytheSecondWorldWar bombersandothermilitarymachineswhichare finishedintheiroriginalsquadronmarkings).The qualityofAlan'sslideswasonlysurpassedbyhis knowledgeoftheaircraftdepictedandhisunique abilitytorecogniseeachonewithouthesitation. Therewerealsoslidesofother`warbirds'which AlanrantoearthinvariouspartsoftheU.S.A.The wholecollection,togetherwithAlan'sdescriptive dialoguemadeathoroughlyabsorbingevening.

TheStrut'sAugustmeetingwasnoless entertainingwhenalargegatheringattendedto listentoatalkgivenbyPalHolmes.

Patrelatedherexperiencesofaviatinginthe ScottishHighlandsandneiehbouringIslandswith herFournierRF4,givingadetailedaccountofthe LochsandBurnsandwhereto,andnotto,land. Pat'scasualmannerbeliedthetrueenormityofher achievementandhidesthecourageandsenseof adventurethatmostofuswoulddearlyliketo possess.

Sprinkledliberallywithanecdotes,wit,andalittle local gossip,Patheldtheattentionofmembersfor closeonanhour.

Theweek-endof5th/6thAugustwasagatheringof P.F.A.typesatMauriceandJoanWhite'sprivate stripinSussex.Theweatherwasnot askindasit mighthavebeenandkeptsomeaircraftaway, never-the-less averyhappytimewassharedbythose whogottherebyairorroad.Overnightvisitors werewelcomedbyabonfirewithplentyoffood, drink,andgoodcompanymakingitavery successfulevent.

SOLENTSTRUT

BythistimemanyStrutswillbeseeingmembers photographicproductsoftheirvisitstothe Association'sInternationalrally.The Solent Strut wasnoexceptionwhenattheirAugustmeeting memberswereshownslides,mainlyofSywell'78 takenandshownbyAlanMartinandBryan Edwards.

TosupplementtheinterestJohnMcKenzie broughtalonganotherofhisrecentlycompleted replicaguns,(Pupand'504buildersmaycareto note)theusualsuperbworkmanshipandfinish impressedallwhoinspectedit.

Anotherfocusofattentionwasprovidedby DerekCarter,whobroughtalongamodelandsome ofthedrawingsofthetwoseaterhe'sdesigningas hisentryfortheP.F.A.Competition.

NORTHKENTSTRUT

AttheAugust Strutmeeting,MikeToozegave membersaninterestingresumeoftheVari-eze,this wascompiledmainlyfrominformationsetoutby BertRutan,theaircraft'sdesigner.

Mikeindicatedthattheprogressofhisproject wasonthemove;hehasalmostcompletedhiswings andelevonsandislookingforasuitablepowerunit. Thetalklastedoveranhour,leavineunfortunately, littletimetodiscusstheinspectionprocedure,a facetthatcouldbethesubjectofanentireevenings lectureinitself,forthistypeofaircraft.

NORTHEASTERNSTRUT

TheoriginalideaoftheNorthEasternStrut'sflyinatBagbyon22nd/23rdJulywasthatanyonewho likestosleepwithhisaeroplane(don'tweall?) coulddosoforanight.

JohnWhiting,KenGlasbyandPhillipLassie,ran theeventwithaminimumofregimentationand limitedprivatefundsfortheenjoymentoffliersand thelocalpeople,themajorityofwhomsupported theeventverywell.

Saturdaymorningstartedfullofpromise;the ArmyarrivedfromtheTopeliffewithaGazelle helicopterwhichturnedouttobethestarofthe show.Localchildrenwereencouragedtositinthe helicopterwhiletheP.R.teamcuddledallthemurns forphotographs,thelightaircraftfraternitywere alsoveryinterested.

TheArmytook-offatabout4.30p.m.,whilst therewerestilllotsoffolkaboutandgaveoneof thosedemonstrationsthatonlytheservicesknow howtogive.

ThetotalnumberofarrivalsonSaturdaywas17, whichincludedaGliderfromSuttonBank;he didn'tintendtolandatBagby,butthat'sglidingfor you!

TheThirskRadioControlledModelAeroClub alsogaveaveryexcitingdemonstration,considering theprospectofdeterioratingweatheroverthe weekendtheattendancewasconsideredexcellent, althoughofthefourN.E.Strutaircraftthat arrived,onlytwostayedtocamp.

Saturdayeveningentertainmentconsistedofa bar,asupperprovidedbyMargaretWhiting,afilm show(silent)givenbySydandhisfiance,anda generalchatoverthedrinks.

Sundaydawnedmiserableandwetwithvisibility atabout500mtrs.thesinkingfeelingofthecampers wererelievedataboutlunchtimewhenJerryK.and JimBeckdecidedtobringtheRallyeoverfrom Felixkirktogettheshowstarted,alsoJoeHammon ofSturgatetook-offinhisLutonMinorforsome localflying.

Theimprovingweatherchangeditsmindagain andshowerswereinlineforthenexttwohours.At about12.40pm.outofaheavyshoweremerged JohnHollongsworthfromTeesside,informingall thatalinesunnydaywasnotfaraway.Itwastobe anotherthreehoursbeforethesunreallycameout.

Bythistime,theCateringDepartmenthadclosed downindisgustattheweather,althoughteaand biscuitswerestillavailableatthecheck-inpoint.

Althoughtherewerenotmanyarrivalsonthe Sunday,therewerelotsofaircraftmovements,this kepttheinterestgoingandallinall,thingsturned outnottoobadandgavetheStrutencouragement fornextyear.

SOUTHERNROTORCRAFTSTRUT ReportedbyJohnKitchen

Thereissomuchgoingonwithinourmovement thatthisnewsletterisnecessary.

Circulatingthelatestinformationtakesalongtime, soabriefnotewhenthereissomethingtosay,is becomingofincreasingimportanceifweareto remaineffectiveasagroup.

AsStrutco-ordinatorIneedagoodfeed-back fromeachoneofyou.Inthiswaywecansaveup enough'snippets'beforeburstingintoprint.Yes,I andtheotherMembersareinterestedinyourlatest 'whirling'.

SimonIrwinhassuggestedthatweallchipinsay £2—£5annuallytocoverthecostofStrut notepaper,envelopes,stamps,printingand,most importantly,ofcirculatingthebi-monthlycopiesof PopularRotorcraftFlying,thePRAmagazine.Your views,please.

PeterLovegroveissellinghisB-8.Whatashock! Hetellsmethathehasdonethissamethingbefore sowemustnotworrythathisenthusiasmiswaning. Hismainproblemsarelackoftimeandlackofa convenientairfieldwhichhecanuseatweekends.

Thislackofanairfieldisacontinuingproblem hereintheSouth.IhearthatMickLangtonwas trailinghismachinearoundHerts.lookingfora glidingsite.1stillhope.thatWroughtonwill continuetobeavailablealthoughitisalonatrail formostofyouandis,atpresent,closedtousat theweekends.

Training:It isnotpermittedforinstructorstotrain onunlicencedairfieldatpresent.Thisisagreat restrictiontoourprogrammeandsoawayround Article66isbeingsought.Ourmainprobleminthis respectistheneedtomonopolisetherunwayforlong periods.Thiswecannotdowithbusy,licenced airfields.BothMelbourneandSt.Merrynwill,

hopefully,beinspectedshortlyandtheneithera restrictedairfieldlicencewillbeissuedornamed flyinginstructorswillbepermittedtotrainatthese fields.Thelatteractionwillrequiretheinstructorsto beissuedwithanexemptionfromtheArticle.Both DeputyDirectorsoftheAerodromeStandards BranchoftheCAAarehelpingushere.

On24thMay,SimmoSimmons,TerryJonesandI metTerryGillofFCL3withaviewtoestablish trainingrequirementsforallgradesofpupilandfor flyinginstructors.Arevisedsyllabuswasagreedfor theab-initiopupilwhichhasputhisfixed-wingtime to15hoursminimumbutwhichdoesnotrequirehim togosolountilonhisowngyroplane.Itwas arrangedthatCampbell'sshouldpublishaFlying TrainingManualassoonastheCAArequirements weresettled.ThisManualwouldcontain:

CAArequirementsforstudentsofalllevelsof experience.

Fixed-wingtrainingsyllabus(andnotestoQFI) forPPL(G).

GyroplaneInstructor'sTrainingNotes.

GyroplaneTrainingProgressChart.

ThehelpwehavereceivedfromCAAisinnoway justifiedbyoursizeorimportance.Iamvery gratefulfortheirguidanceandassistanceandhope thatwemayallbandtogethertorepaythemby runningasafeandtrouble-freemovement.

Ithas,obviously,beenofgreathelptotheCAA forustobeapartofthePFA.Inthiswaythey appeartohavefoundameansofcentralisingtheir recommendationsandofestablishingamore personalrelationshipwithmembersof'aresponsible body'.

ThePFAcanonlybeasgoodaswemakeit, gentlemen. I wouldurgeyou,therefore,tosupport notonlyyourownStrutbuttoconsiderjoiningyour nearestfixed-wingStruttooifonlyforasociablebeer. Don'tforgettoletmehaveallyourgyronewssothat Imaydomyjob,asco-ordinator,properly.

Finally,ontraining,GeoffClarkesaidhewould liketotrainforhisInstructor'sRating.Hewillbe verywelcome,particularlyasheisaveryexperienced pilot.WemustcompleteTerryJones'coursefirst and,insodoing,provethenewsystemsoncethe parametersareestablished.

NORTHWESTERNSTRUT

FromtheNorthWesternStrutcomesthisreport ontheBlackpoolAirShow,whichtookplaceonthe 8th/9thJuly,thereportcomesfromPeterR. Underhill,theEditorofNorthWesternStrutNews: "PFAcombine,afterthelandingVampire,lineup andhold".

FourteenPFAaircraftandcrewsready themselvesforthefinalfly-pastoftheweekendby theNorthWesternStrutandallourguests.Checks complete,werolloutinG-AYGA,ourJodelD117, alongsideErnieHorsfallinhisGardanHorizon, andbehindJohnWhitingintheTailwind.

Intolineabreastforformationtake-off,with Ernieonourstarboardtip,andoffwegoforthe highlightoftheBlackpoolAirShowweekend, namely,showingouraircrafttothe20,000orso spectatorswhohavebeenwatchingtheSpitfire, B.17,Hurricaneandalltheotherregulars,andare nowseeingwhatourtypeofflyingisallabout,with almostperfectweatherconditionstoenableustofly theverybusythreecircuitsinperfectVFR.

Itdidn'tstartlikethat!Aslastyear,Iflewin fromLiverpoolunderadirtyandlowcloudbase, andcameinforaturbulent,wing-rockinglanding, ontoBlackpool's32,Inatintrike,too,I'msorryto say,butitwasfartoowindyforGolfAlpha.

Onceparked,IfoundthePFAmarquee,tryingto imitateahotairballoon,whilstIanJennisonwas tellingpeoplewheretoputtheirropesandstakes. Happily,theweatherstayeddrylongenoughtoget everythingsetup,afterwhichseveralpeople (includingtwowell-knowntwins)appearedlike magicwithvariousexcusesforbeinglate.By4.30 p.m.allwasfinished,andtheweatherwasclamping in.

Mindyou,Ican'treallyshouttooloud,'cosI wassupposedtobepresenttosigninthehordesof PFAvisitorsontheSaturday.However,theweather wassobadthatwecouldnotgetairbornefrom LiverpoolbeforetheBlackpoolairfieldclosure deadline,sowesatandwatchedtheSpekeAir Displayinstead,whichsharedseveralaircraftwith theother,notablytheB.17,BattleofBritainflight, andtheMRCATornado.

AtBlackpool,thingswerenotgoingtoplan,and withonlyHaroldJonesinhisMustardandDayglo PazmanyPL1makingitintothefield,Ernie Horsfallwasrapidly'ringing'roundtotryandfind someotherparticipants.

Intheend,thewholeofSaturdaysflypastwas conductedwithjustthePazmany,Ernie'sHorizon andIanJennison'sJodelG-AYEH,thelattertwo beingGPMSaircraftanyway!Atleastitgavethe commentator,JohnBlake,timetotalkabouteach ofthem,unlikethefollowingday.

ThePFAismainlyaboutflying,andtherewere twoexamplesofthelatestapprovedaircraftinour statictent,thesebeingtheVari-ezefromBlackpool, andtheBabyGreatLakes,bothwellunderwayin theconstructiondepartment,andbothlookingvery professionallybuilt.These,togetherwiththe variousotherstandsattractedalargenumberof visitorstothemarquee.

TheweatherforecastforSundaywassimilarone toSaturday's,butthankfullyitwaswrong.Sunday turnedouttobeasuperbday,withlightwindsafter lunchtime,verylittlecloud,blueskiesandsun.

Temptedbytheseconditions,anotherdozenorso PFApilotsflewintoaddtoSaturday'stotal,the firsttoarrivebeingthetheveryfastTailwindof JohnWhiting,G-BDAP,fromBagby,StanJackson turnedupfromjustdowntheroadatSalmesburyin hisequallyimmaculateMinicab,followedbyGolf Alpha,withSteveWheatland,(Mini-Weetabix)at thehelm,andthenseveralothersinfairlyquick successionincludingtheChipmunk,Nipper,anda coupleofJodelsfromBarton,onecarryingNorth WesternStrutChairmanJackKirkham.

Fromfurtherafield,wewerepleasedtosignin severalJodelsfromBagby,Tholthorpe,and Markington.TheTurbulentG-APUYsetofffrom Bartonbutdidnotarriveintimetolandsohadto turnaroundandgobackhome,thiswassad,aswe hadnootherexampleofthatmarquetoshow.

With'FRED'offtheroadforrepair,andthe

weatherdownsouthprettypoor,thesumtotalof PFAvisitorsandNWStrutpilotstotalled14,allof whomtookpartintwominuteflypastsduringthe afternoon'sdisplay.

Afterthesecondofthese,HaroldJonespeeled offinthePazmanyPL1toreturntoHalfpenny Green.CommentatorJohnBlakehadadifficult time,thecircuitbeingveryfullofJodelsandother types,nodoubthewasrelievedwhenthelast aircraftlandedandtheBattleofBritainFlightcame shootingin,thisgavehimsomethingeasiertotalk about.

Onceagain,thecatering,administration,fuelling andgeneraldutieswerehandledwiththecustomary (andnowexpected)veryhighstandard.No complaintswerevoiced,andIthinkallvisiting pilotsleftwithagoodimpressionoftheNWStrut andit'smembers.JohnWhitingwasawardedthe Concoursd'Elegancecup,andwasheardtosayas heputitintohisTailwind,"TheWife'IIkillme whensheseesthis,she'sgotenoughpotstopolish already";soendedthe1978BlackpoolAirShow, mixedweather,somesuperbflyingdisplaysanda thoroughlygoodweekendatthefinish.

PFATRAININGWEEKEND—2/3September 1978ASHFARMHOUSE,NR.WINSFORD, CHESHIRE

ThetrainingweekendwasarrangedbyAlfred KnowlesinconjunctionwiththeNWStrut,whose secretaryisDavidHunter.Thelandingstripis ownedbythefarmer,DickWalley,andis600yards long,orientated02/20.Thesurfaceisgoodandthe grassmowed.Thegroundislevelforthefirst2/3in the02directionthenrisesgentlyabout10feetand levelsagain.Theapproachesareclearoflarge obstructions.

Twelveaircrafthadbeenregisteredfortheweekendmostofwhichflewindaily.Theaimwastogive briefingontheuseofstrips,shortfieldandcross windtechniques,andformationflying.Duringthe twodays,over150movementswererecorded.

Mr.Walleytheownerofthestrip,was particularlyhelpfulandprovidedovernight accommodationforAlfredKnowlesandPhil Phillips.

TheWeatherconditionsweregoodwitha8-10 knotcross-windwhicheventuallydroppedtocalm onSundayevening.Thegeneralbriefingcoveredthe featuresofthestrip,possiblehazardsandthe taxiingandparkingarrangements.Theformation flyingbriefinggaveacomprehensiveintroductionto thesubject.Initially,aircraftpractisedinpairsand graduallybuiltuptoafour.Therewasgreatinterest andenthusiasmandtheweekendwaswell worthwhile.TheownerandtheNWStrutarekeen tohaveanothertrainingweek-endnextyear.

VOLKSWAGENENGINES

DearSir, Iwasveryinterestedtoreadthearticleonthe VolkswagenEnginewrittenbyMagnusMagdrop becauseitappearstobeacarboncopyofmyown experiencesintheearlydays,butnowIseldomhave troublestartingmyengineandthefollowingtips mighthelp.

Assumingthatthetappetclearancessparkplug andmagnetogapsarecorrect,andthatthe magnetosarecorrectlytimedtotheengine,the followingadditionalitemsarewellworthattention. 1havefoundthatbecausethemagnetosarefitted beneaththesump,oilwillfinditswayontoand insidetheearthingterminalsandassociatedwiring, andalongthesparkplugleadsintothecapand distributorterminals.Theleadsarenormallylocated inthecapbyaspecialscrewwhichpiercestheouter insulationandmakescontactwiththeinnerwire.It isainterestingexercisetoremovetheleadsandlook attheends;Iwillbeverysurprisedifyoudon'tfind oilononeoftheleads,eveniflacquerisusedasa sealant.Toreduceoilmistandcontaminationtoa minimum,Ihavetakentheendofthecrankcase breathertothefirewall,asfarawayfromthemags aspossible.

Sonowwehaveanicecleandry,electricalsystem, andallshouldbewell,buttarryawhile.

InitiallyIusedthenormalonepieceinletmanifold withthewarmexhaustjacketcombined.Themanifoldhasatight_radiusbendaleitherendwhichis sealedbythecompresionofcoppergasketsbetween aflangeandthecylinderheads.Itoccuredtomethat onehadtobeveryluckyindeedtogetaperfect airtightjointonbothheads,whenallowingforthe pipe-bendingduringexpansionandcontractionand slightmovementwhenthethrottleisfullyopened. Thiswasconfirmedtomebytell-talecolourdye fromthepetrolshowingitselfaroundbothjointsto theinletparts.Theobvioussolutionistocutthe manifoldandhaveflexiblejoints,andtrytomake [hecentreportionwhichcontainsthecarburettorand throttlemechanism,rigidwiththetopofthe crankcase.Everytimethesystemisdisturbed,ithas tobesetupagainwithnewgaskets.

Now,there'snoearthlyreasonwhytheengine shouldn'tstart,anditwill.Veryrarelyaretwo enginesthesame,andlikewomen,theydemandtobe understoodandneedattention.

Forwhatitisworth.Iadoptthefollowing procedure.Checktheaircraft,switchonthefuel checkthatthemagsareoff,closethethrottle,usemy fingerasastopandopenthethrottleasmallamount (1”onmysetup);findamatch,whichisjustthe rightlengthforkeepingthechokeopenfully.Count sixinductionsonthepropeller,incoldweathereight toten.Removethematchandensurethatthechoke hasfullyreturned,switchonbothmags,andafter two,fouratthemostturns,shewillstart.Onbitterly colddays,Imighthavetorepeatthis,andbereadyto manipulatethechokeslightly,butnormallyexcessive chokeisnotneeded.

Ofcoursethepropellerpositionhastobesetfor theindividual,anditisidealforittoendina horizontalpositionshouldtheenginestop,but[hisis notalwayspossible.

Icouldalmosttellyouwhatsortofdayitisbythe soundandperformanceofmyparticularengine,itis sovaried.Iwasflyingonacrispdrydayat3500ft, threeweeksago,andshesoundedtomelikeaRolls RoyceMerlin.

Lastly,Itrytonursetheengineandtreatitwith respectforIfeelthatitdoesamarvellousjob.I alwaysclimbtoheightineasystages,nevermore than500ft.atatime,andthenIgiveitarestfora fewminutes.Icheckoilpressure,watchenginerevs andlisten, andeverysooftencheckforcarburettor icing;whatmorecanonedo?

Yoursfaithfully,

CYRIL OAK1NS

AUTOGYROWORLDRECORDS

Thelong-rangerecord-breakingWALLISTYPE WA-116/Fultra-lightautogyroG-ATHM,powered bya60hp.two-cylinderFranklinaero-engine, furtherdemonstrateditscapabilityontheeveningof 17thJuly,1978.

ItclaimedtheautogyroWorldRecordforspeed overa15kilometrecourse,inClassE-3A(Autogyros under500kilogrammesall-upweight).

TheattemptwasmountedfromRoyalAirForce, Wyton,Fluntingdon,withthehelpofRoyal Engineer&RAFvolunteersasofficialobservers.

ThecoursewasalongtheOldBedfordRiver,from MepaltoWelney,intheFens.

Speedachievedwas168kilometresperhour(104 m.p.h.),beatingthepreviousU.S.—heldrecordof 127kilometresperhour(79m.p.h.)setbya90hp BensenB-8M.Butforthe10-15knotSouth-Easterly windtheunlimitedclassrecordof174kilometresper hourmighthavebeenequalled,butitisplannedto attackthiswithanotherWallisautogyro.

TheoverallWorldRecordsforautogyrospeed, height,rangeanddurationarealreadyheldbyWallis WA-I16aircraft.G-ATHM,athoroughlypractical andreliableaircraft,hassettennewrecords,mostly forrange,andspeedoverlongdistances.Empty,GATHMweighsonly144kilogrammes(317lbs.)but shehasflownthelengthofBritain,non-stop,at some149kilometresperhour(93m.p.h.).

Thelatestflightbringstherecordsclaimedfor BritainbytheWallisautogyrostoatotalof14.

Therecordsclaimedare,ofcourse,subjectto officialconfirmationbytheFederationAeronautique Internationale.

KENWALLIS(Pilot)

C.A.A.REGISTRATIONCHARGES

ItisexpectedthatonJan1stC.A.A.willupthe chargesforaircraftregistrationfromESto£12for aircraftunder2703kgMax.totalweight,withafee of£100foraspecialcombinationofletters.

Ifyouarebuildingnowitmightwellbe advantageoustoregisterimmediatelysincetheprice riseismorethandoubleanduntilthenthereisnofee onspecialregistrations,i.e.outofsequencemarks.

CertainindividualP.F.A.membershavestarted toobtainregistrationsintheG-PFAAtoG-PFAZ seriesatotalof25possibleregistrations.Ouraimis tousethelotasaspecialsequenceofjust homebuiltsbeforetheruleschangemakingit impossiblebyexpense.

Ifyourprojectisunregisteredandunder constructionobtainaformCAIfrom: CivilAviationAuthority,AircraftRegistration, Room323,AviationHouse,129Kingsway,London WC2B6NN.

Onform,underSERIALNUMBERgiveyour PFAConstructorsNo.

ForALLUPWEIGHTaguesstimatebasedon whatyourdrawings saywillsuffice.

Pleasesendasmallnotestating"PleasemayI haveaRegistrationintheG-PFAAtoG-PFAZ range."

HELPUSUSEUPTHESEQUENCEBEFORE THECHARGESGOUP.

FORTYEIGHTHOURS

ByF.I.

Irecentlyhadtheopportunityofspending48 hoursatvariousprojectsattheN.W.Strut. ArrangementswerelaidonbyBarryParkinson, whoalertedthevariousbuildersandStruts,andby ErnieHorsfall,theN.W.Strutcommitteemember, whonotonlyprovidedaccommodation,butlaidon transportforthiswhirlwindtour.Thefirststopwas attheBritishAerospaceairfieldatWarton,tolookat theProctorPetrelbeingbuiltasatrainingexercise bytheapprenticesofBritishAerospace,underthe controloftheirtrainingofficer,Mr.S.Miller.This aircraftisnowvirtuallycomplete,althoughthereis stillalottodobeforethefirstflight.The constructionhasbeencarriedoutoverthepastfive yearsasatrainingexercise,notonlyfor craftsmanship,butasanexerciseinprocedures, inspectionetc.Theprojecthasprovedtobea wonderfulexerciseintheprocedureswhichhaveto befollowedinindustry,andtheuseofalight aircrafthasallowedtheapprenticestohaveamuch betteroverallviewofanaircraftthancouldbe obtainedfromthemuchlargerandmorecomplex machinesbeingbuiltatWarton.Theconstruction hasalsohelpedtoprovethedrawings,anda numberofalterationswhichhavebeenfound necessaryarebeingincorporated.Ontheotherside oftheHangarstoodBarryParkinson'sSpriteGBCWH,whichlookedresplendent,having,likethe Petrel,justcomeoutofthepaintshop.Thesprite, whichshouldhaveflownbythetimethesewords appearinprint,hasbeenverycarefullybuilt,and wasatributetothepainstakingeffortsofBarry Parkinsonandhisteam.Thisaircraftwillbeoneof themostcompleteIhaveseenatthetimeofthefirst flight.Unlikemostofus,Barryhasresistedthe temptationofgettingtheaircraftintotheairbefore allnon-essentialdetailsarecomplete,andtheproject hasbenefittedasawhole.LaterinthedayIwasable tospendsometimewithMr.RolandBeaumont, Panavia'sdirectorofflightoperations,discussing theflighttestprogrammefortheSprite.Ourthanks tothetimegivenupfromtheverybusyroutineof Mr.Beaumontwho,notforthefirsttime,hashelped P.F.A.'erswiththeirprojects.Afteraquickbeerand ploughman'slunch,Barrythentookmeovertoa conferenceroomwhereanumberofB.Aedesign staffwerewaiting.Agreatdealofinterestisbeing shownintheP.F.A.designcontest,andahappytwo hourswerespentinaquestionandanswersession. Whatwassogoodtoseewastheinterestinallthese projectsinjustonecelloftheB.Aeconglomorate, andinparticular,theencouragementgivenbythe Management.

Bynowitwastheendoftheworkingdayat B.Ae,andBarryParkinsonthenledmeonatourof otherP.F.A.projects.Afterastrenuousgameof follow-my-leaderthroughthesummertrafficof Blackpool,westoppedatBlackpoolAirporttosee theVariezeunderconstructionbyJ.Cattle,Mike SharpiesandGeorgeThornhill.IhadmetGeorge ThornhillthepreviouseveningintheFlyingClub wherewediscussedthewayoftheamateur,and sortedoutoneortwomattersoveranoggin,butit gotsolatewehadtodelayinspectionuntilthenext day.WhenIgotthere,MikeSharpleshadgotthe Variezestandingoutside,anditwasvirtually complete.ThisGrouphaveconvertedanissenhut astheirworkshop,andhavespentalotofeffortin makingthishutsuitable.Temperatureandhumidity areall-importantinthistypeofconstruction,and theyhadlaggedthewallsofthehutwithfoamfor

WITHTHEN.W.STRUT

V.Walker

insulationpurposes.Heatingwasprovidedbyavery largecalorgascombustionheater.Thehutwas dividedintotwobyaheavycurtain,withonehalfas apreparationareaandtheotherasanassembly area.Theassemblyareahadaspeciallybuiltbench whichwasverylongandsubstantiallybuilton breezeblocks.Allmaterialwasstoredinthisarea andinheretheshapingandcuttingofthefoamwas carriedout.Themainheatingalsotookplaceinthis area,sothatwhenassemblytookplace,andthe curtainsweredrawnback,theassemblyareatooka boostfromthemixingoftheairandkeptthe humidityattherightlevel.Apparently,theheating ofthebuildingtokeepthetemperatureand humiditycorrect,isaheavyincidentalexpense. Beingnearthecoast,theambienthumidityisalways high,andevenonasummersdaysomedryingoutis oftennecessary.Thistemperaturecontrol,of course,hastobekeptupwhiletheepoxy/glass workisdryingout.Theassembledmain componentslookedverygoodwhenassembled,and oneisagainstruckbythesmallsizeoftheVarieze, whichisnotalwaysapparentfromphotographs. ThisVariezeisthemostadvancedoneintheU.K., andshouldflyintimefornextyearsrally.George Thornhillhaspromisedanarticlefor"Popular Flying"atanearlydate,soIwillnotstealthe thunderbytellingyoumore.

AfterleavingtheVarieze,Barryledmeontoa BabyGreatLakes,whichwasalsowelladvanced. ThisGreatLakeswastopoweredbyaR.R. Continental0.200,whichshouldputitintoVTOL class.

Afterthis,ErnieHorsfalltookoverthetourand afterabiteoftheexcellentNortherninstitution,high tea,wevisitedMr.Winstanleyathisgarage. Businesswastakingallhistimewhenwecalledso hisVP.2,partcompleted,wasstrungupintheroof alongwithanumberofvintagemotorcycles.Back intothecar,withadashalongtheM62toBarton (Manchester),duringwhichErnieshowedmethat hisCavalierwouldnotunstickatanyspeed.At Barton,DaveHunterwaswaitingwithhis magnificientlyfinishedTaylorMonoplane,where wemanagedtosortoutaweightandundercarriage problem.Dave'sMonohasnowflownandbeen finallycleared.IalsosawMalcolmJohnson,who hadwrittenaboutafuelflowproblemonhis CavalierG-BCMJ.Afterafewtelephonecalls,we wereabletomeethimatBartontogettheproblem sortedout,andwehopehewillsoonbeflying again.ImusttakemyhatofftoMalcolm,andall hoseotherswhobuildsomeofthebigger homebuilts.Thetaskisimmense,butthestandardis uperb.

MythankstoBarryParkinsonandErnieHorsfall ortheirhelpinmakingthevisitasuccess.Whatis sointeresting,isthenumberofhomebuiltswhich arenowbeingcompleted.

Christmas Bookshelf

BOOKOFTHEYEAR CHARLIEMIKECHARLIE

By CLIVECANNING

Atrueadventurestory,publishedbyC.J. PublicationsandprintedinMelbourne,Australiaby AcaciaPressPty.,Ltd.,withhardcoverand attractivedustjacket.

Thislongawaitedbookisnowoffthepressand thefirsttwoadvancecopieshavejustarrivedin England.Thisisnotonlyavividandexcitingaccount ofClive'sepic'first'flightbyanamateurbuilt aircraft,fromMelbourne,AustraliatoSywell, Englandandback,butawellwrittenandhumorous taleofhisflyinglife.Itbeginswithhisearlydreams anddescribeslearningtofly(TigerMothofcourse), andincludeschaptersonthebuildingandflyingof hisThorpT.18,hisrecordflightaroundthe Australiancontinentwhichallleadsuptothebig event.TheactualflightfromAustralia-EnglandAustraliaisgraphicallydescribedincludingthenow famousfightwiththeSyrianMIG'sanditsnot difficulttoimagineoneselfinthecockpitsharingthe excitment.

PilotError—price £7.55. BacktoBasics—price £9.10. PublishedbyVanNostrandRoynoldCo.Ltd.

Thesetwobooksarecollectionsofarticlesfrom Flying magazine,compiledbytheeditors."Pilot Error".chroniclesaseriesofincidentsinvolving lightaircraftintheU.S.A.,leavingthereaderto drawhisownconclusionsastowhytheseincidents happened.

"BacktoBasics"isjustwhatthetitlesays,and reviewsthebasicsoftheaeroplaneandairmanship. ThearticlesarewrittenmainlyforU.S.A.readers, andareputoverinthehighpressuremannerofthose parts.

Whileboththesebooksmakeinterestingreading tothumbthroughatleisure,theveryhighpriceis boundtodetermanywouldbereadersfrombuying.

TheFirstCroydonAirport1915-1928. Publishedby SuttonLibraries&ArtsServices. Price£1.50.

Thisexcellentlittlebookaboutthehistoryof CroydonAirportmakesfascinatingreading.Ifa localCouncilcanshowsuchinterestasthisin chronicolingtheiraviationhistoryaswellas.this fromtheirarchives,thereisstillhopeforprivate aviation.Letushopetheynowfinishupwitha sequelcoveringtheAirportfrom1928toit'sclosure.

ATimetoFly—Author SirAlanCobham. Published byShepheardWalwynLtd. Price£6.50.

Whenthatgreatpioneer,SirAlanCobham,died in1973,heleftbehindamassofautobiographical materialclearlymeantforpublication,whichhas nowbeeneditedbyChristopherDerrick.Inhis prefacetothisbook,theDukeofEdinburghpoints outthattherearemanywhothinktheycan manipulatenewenterprisesfromanoffice,butthey haveyettoprovetheirpointoverthosewhogetout anddothingsforthemselves.SirAlanCobhamdid justthat,andhowhediditisallinthisveryreadable book.Hisnameisprobablybestrememberedforhis FlyingCircus,whichtouredeverypossibletownin Britain,nomatterhowsmall.Thebooktellshowhe didthis,aswellashispioneeringflightstothe outpostsoftheEmpire.Hewasamanwhobelieved inflyingandwasintentinshowingwhy.His sentimentswillwarmtheheartsofallP.F.A.'ers.

D.F.B.

ThereisquitealotofmaterialaboutSywell,his visitstoStrathallan,theRotterdamRallyandhis tripwithP.F.A.memberstotheFrenchR.S.A. RallyatSt.Junien.Thebookisbeautifully illustratedwith16fullsizecolourphotographsanda similarnumberofblackandwhite,inthebackof thebook,thereisvariousdataandacompleteflight diarywithallthedistance,headingsandtimes,so armedwithanatlasorsomemapsyoucanfollowthe wholejourneyindetail.Thisisagoodquality publicationandanabsolute'must'fortheaviation enthusiastsbookshelf,itwillshortlybeavailable fromtheP.F.A.officeandthefirst50copieswillbe signedbytheauthor.

BookofAirsports— AuthorAnneWelch Published byB.T.Batsford. Price£5.50.

Thisbookcoversamuchneededslot,inthatit describesalltheavenuesofflyingthatareopentothe amateur.Writtenessentiallyforthebeginner,it reallyexplainsthebasicsforthosewhowanttofly forfun.AsAnneWelchexplains,flyingforfunisnot handedoutonaplate,buthastobeworkedfor.The booktellsyouwheretofindtheworkshops!Itisvery readable,andverywellillustratedandcoversall aspectsofthesport.Ballooning,hanggliding, parachuting,homebuiltaircraftetc.,theyareall there.

LightAircraftInspection— AuthorJ.E.Heywood. PublishedbyT.&A.D.PoyserLtd. Price£4.00.

Thisisanexcellentlittlebookforbothpilotand engineeralike,writtenspecificallywithgeneral aviationaircraftinmind,thebookisaimedtowards thenewLightAircraftMaintenanceSchedules.The authorisaC.A.A.inspectorandsoknowshis subjectwell.Henotonlyexplainstherequirements ofairworthiness,butexplainswhatismeantby maintenance.Nottheleastofthisbook'svalueisin theexcellentphotographswhichshowwhattolook forwhenaninspectioniscarriedout.Thisbook shouldbeboughtbyeverypilotandgroundengineer alike.Asthebookquotes,"Giveinstructiontoa wisemanandhewillbestillwiser".

PopularFlying,November-December,1978

AviationlawforPilots (thirdedition)—AuthorsS. E.T.TaylorandH.A.Paramar. Publishedby GranadaPublishing. Price£3.95softback:£5.95 hardback.

Thisisthethirdrevisededitionofaveryeasilyread bookonaviationlawwhichtakesoutthelegaljargon usedinofficialpublications,andputsitinsimple wordsthatcanbeeasilyunderstood.Itissuitablefor CPLaswellasPPLstudies,andisanexcellentbook whichallpilotsshouldkeeptohand,andwehaveno hesitationinrecommendingthisbooktoallwhofly, aswellasthosewhohelpthemtofly.

EncyclopediaofAircraft—Authors MichaelandJ. W.R.Taylor. PublishedbyWeidenfeld(Publishers) Ltd. Price£6.50.

Thisisabeautifullyproducedbookwhichshould lightupthestockingofboysofallages.Alarge book,coveringtheleadingaircraftofalltheworld,it hasmanyexcellentphotographsanddrawingsin colour.Banguptodate,thisisamustforChristmas.

Mosquito— AuthorH.J.Hardy. Publishedby DavidandCharles. Price£4.95.

Anothercasehistory,thistimeoftheDH98 Mosquito,withmanyfineoriginalphotographs. Mostofthedatahasbeenpublishedalreadyinmore definativebooks,butthephotographsincludemany notpublishedbefore.

POPULARFLYINGispublishedin Januaryandthereafterinalternate months.AUadvertisementstobesent to:AdvertisementManager,Popular FlyingAssociation,TenninalBuilding, ShorehamAirport,Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussn.

Semi-displaypercolumninchL500. Lineage(minimumthreelines)perline 50p.Discounts:seriesofthree5%. Seriesofsix10%. Agencies 10%.

FREE!

,MitieernibetrosaFreounrowFereneAdverts.peryear,subjecttobeingofnon-businessnature andtospacebeingavailable. QuoteMembershipNo.

For£1.50wewillincludeaphoto ofAeroplanesforSale.

ThePFAdoesnotnecessarily guaranteeorendorseanyproduct offeredthroughouradvertising.

Members'attentionisparticularly drawntobuiltandpartly-builtAircraft.Theyshouldsatisfythemselves thatthemachine has beenclearedto P.F.A.standardsiftheysubsequently intendtooperateitthroughhe PF.A.Airworthinessfacilities.

PLANS!PLANS!PLANS!

AEROMODIATERPLANSSERVICEIS

Worldrenownedforitsvastrangeof subjects.Flyingmodelsofalltypes plustheuniquescaledrawingsseries whichincludesmanyP.F.A./E.A.A. subjects,e.g.CURRIEWor,IsAncs FURY SF SPITFIRE,PITTSS2A,TitORP TI8,TAILWINDetc.Sendforlatest AromodellingPlansHandbookNo.I price50p+15ppost.

Model&Allied Publications Plans Service,P.O.Box 35 Hemel Hempstead Herts HP11EE

FORSALE LutonMajor.2seat,par built,plans,paperwork,metalfittings unusedwood,ply,S510sheetmetal,A9 items,somevacuuminstruments ChevroletCorsair6cvl.engine,rotarr partscracktestedandpartconverted,pin, plans,manualsandspares.TwoBendix 561,NMags(oneimpulse).Propelle unusedbutnorelease.LHTDrgNo HR702/2/A.Dia5.75ftPitch4.11 Offers,willsplitifrequiredA.Clewley Witney(0993)2203Evenings.

PROPWANTED ForJodelD.9approx 54"dia.33pitch.6Clampingholes3fi P.C.D.Also20channelorsimilarradio withpowerpack.Cananyonetellme whereIcangetacanopy,anyinformation orsparesfortheJodelD.9.Pleasecontact JohnHill,13ParkesLane,Woodsetton. Dudley,WestMidlandsDY3IAQ.Tel: Sedgley5150.AircraftG-AZBLhangared atHalfpennyGreen.

WANTED IsaacsFurypartfinished project,plans,fittingsandcomponents.J. Cummings,448BenhamHill,Newbury, Berks.PhoneNewbury45387(Bus,)44274 (Home)

WANTEDfor JodelDI17,C90,Scotttail wheelassembly,Ignitionharnessand S4RN20Magneto.JohnWright, Monewden,Woodbridge,Suffolk.Tel: 047337221.

WANTED Nipperpartsordamaged aircraft,partbuiltprojectofanytype consideredTel:Sunderland(0783)284731

S.T.O.L.Performanceon1500VWandup.Foldingandroadable—onown wheelsortrailer.Easytofiy.Cheaptobuild.Longestsinglecomponent12'9" longPlansconsistof26highly-detailedsheetsplusriggingnotes,construction notesandmaterialslists.

PerSet— £15

InformationPack—fl

ERICCLUTTON,92NEWLANDSSTREET,SHELTON STOKE-ON-TRENT,STAFFORDSHIRE,ENGLAND.

FORSALE. lode]1051Ambassadeurbuilt 963.Totaltime1366hrs.3yr.C.ofAPLANS: untilApril1981.Potez4Eengine1061hrs. used.Pricetoincludespareengine£3500 CanbeseenatHorshamSussexor ShorehamAirport.Forfurtherdetails ContactJohnStanbridge,Horsham3535.

WANTED.Shareinlightorultra-lightaircraft.WestMidlandsArca.C.Sewell.Tel: 0214595986.

WANTED.2seatpermitaircraft. Immediatedecisioncashwaiting.G.Lewis Tel:051-648-4929(N/D)

WANTED. UrgentlyforBeta,half0-200 crankcase—Cylinder2-4side.Alsotop castingforMarvelScheblercarburettor. Loanof60x68propellertouseaspattern. MartinJones,38SouthAvenue, Chellaston,Derby.Tel.0332701127. KING KY95360 Cornsetforsale,c/w powerpack,mic.,aerial,andharnesses. Slightdentinfrontpanel,butworkedOK whenwetookaoutofourJodelDI17. Anyofferover£200secures,phonePeter Underhillon0619288322duringoffice hours,or027063930after6.

JODELAMBASSADOR completewith 0200AEngine,T.S.M.O.H.500hrs.with paperwork.AirframedismantledRecovered,SprayedtoSilverOffers.Phone 0302-57695Day0302-61713Evenings

MKS GOGGLES£8.75sparelensesclear £2.95.tinted£3.75WWIflyinggoggles £9.50.releasedinstrumentsAS140-160K. £45.50.40-260K.£47.50.Scottoiltemp. kit£19.50.Scottoilpress.gauge£12.50. Airpathcompass£25.50.18mmCHTkit £32.5012/I4mmCHTkit£38.50.Surplus instrumentsturnslipshorizonsgyros AirpalhcompassesGradeI£19.50.grade2 .C15.50carbonthroatmicsoxygenmasks withmicsFullrangeTigerinstruments hardwarenutsboltsetc.Over4,000items instock.Write,phoneorcallDavid Goddard(AviationService)3Tuns, HolbeachClough,Spalding,Lines,U.K. (0406)24014.(J/F)

WANTEDEmeraudeundercarriagealso 0.200engineA.Fisher,Tel:01-837-2635

LYCOMINGengine115hpforsale, completewithallancillaries.Tel:Preston 718559(M/A)

FORSALEOnesetofTailwindPlans

.C55costI:75inMay.N.J.CroweTel: WimborneDorset886545

WANTEDWelderformyproject. ContactRogerBreckell,10Dunstable Road,Teddington,Nr.Dunstable,Beds.

Simplybuilt--VWpoweredOnlyone verticalandonehorizontaltailempennage.Onepiecebentupaluminiumgear. Simple3-bulkhead,woodfuselagewithno metalfittingsorclothcover.Noengine mount.Simplewing,plankspars,ribsstack-sawedfrom£:"ply.EvansVP-I roadtowswithouttrailer,andstoresea.ily ingarage.ForPlanandBrochureprices seeP.F.A.officeadvertisement.

Thepopularsingle-place,lowwing,all woodmodel.30to60h.p.100m.p.h., with1300VWengine.Span21,length 15'. Brochure,70p,Plans £16, Construction photos£2,S.A.E.withenquiriesplease. Mrs.J.Taylor,25ChesterfieldCrescent, LeighonSea,Essex.

Asupersingle-place,lowwing,acrobatic tourer/racer.Simpletobuildwood constructionfor40to95h.pengines. Superbplansforthissuperbaeroplane includefullsizeribsheets,material listandnumerousadvisorynotes.Span 189";Length16W.Brochure,70p,Plans £20,Constructionphotos£2,S.A.E.with enquiriesplease.From:Mrs.J.Taylor,25 ChesterfieldCrescent,LeighonSea,Essex.

EVANSVP-I

TAYLORMONOPLANE

TAYLORTITCH

APracticalqodleladesian cansiiu[PonandrepairalALL typesof!missionpropellers1250 i.sp

ERICCLUTTON

92NewlandsStreet, Stoke-on-Trent, ST42RE, ENGLAND.

FORSALEMcCaulymetalpropeller70 diax44"pitchsuitC-90or0_200.1:200. AlsometalspinnersimilartoCessnaDpe [45.BothexFuryG-AYIY.PhoneTony Francis,Dunsrable65623.

WANTED0-200AorC-90for homehuilt.ContactRogerBreekell.Tel: Duns(able64264Ext403(Office)

Toddingion4428(Evenings)

FORSALE2offV.W.Cylinderheads withsecondplughole.4cylinders, inductionmanifold&curbs£30V.W. Propellerboss,frontplate&mountingbell plusCrankshaksprocketmountingbolt, allunused[50.Twoenginemountingbolts (lower)[8.PhoneSunderland(0783)

284731

FORSALESteenSkyboltplans£25. BrochureforQuickie£2.50.D.Collinson, SunsetView,AlbionStreet,Hylton, Sunderland,SR4OPJ.Tel:0783242411

WANTED.Twosinglesealultralight aiterafiairframes,complete,incomplete, damagedorIhematerialsroslantthe projects:FalconerF.11Typesprcterahly. IhaveaCitmencarvaluedEl000tooffer inexchange,orIwillconsiderpurchaseJ. Belton,9Macsyberllan.Beiws. Ammanford,Dyfed,SoulhWales.

CUSTOMBUILT AIRCRAFTSUPPLIES

A.N.HardwareA.G.5Hardware ControlCableEand3/31Nicopress Fittings.4130Steel1ube ,• 035",EA 035".Popularsize-largeslock.Other sizesavailahle-Sometoorder.

5514SledShedButyrateDopeClear.ButyraieThinners FabricGrade"A"[manly.

WheelsandTyres_

FlightInslruments.EngineInstrumentv. U.K.Acentsfor"WESTACH-, V.W.AeroEngineConversion. Fullengineormodificationkits. Machining:Crankcasefor0/sBarrels, cylinderHeadsforo/sBarrelsanddual sparkplues.

LYSTERAVIATIONLIMITED AVIATIONWAY SOUTHENDAIRPORT SOUTHEND-ON-SEA ESSEX

1977VP-I.CofAdllApril1979.380 ChannelRadio.RechargeableBatteryand charger.701irsTI.Offersaround£2000. PhoneColinGoodman0536741764.

CONTINENTALC-90convertedG.P.U. erminewithpropellerplusmanyspares includingsetof0-200cylinders,marvel scheblercarts.OfferstoAWeightTel: 0234853513.

FRANKLINI25hpengine,oneonly,fits continentalbearers.Notflownatall. 1.995.00Tel:0494-35342(daytime)01-4852733(evenings).

BESTPERFORMANCE

PROPELLERSroralltypesofaircraft andengines"Upupandass-ay-or maximumcruise!"BrianMills,Tel:022 0262951

ENCLOSEDGLIDERTRAILERfor DartormostISMirGlidersLowlineand maintenancefreewithdrophitchsteel chassisruningearandinsuperbcondition £450.Wantedanengineorinform-anonof suitableenginetofitoverCofGofmy glider.Requirementsarelowweieht(10to 13lbs)between40and90lbsofthrustand upto20BHP.Toselflaunchorself suiaainflight.P.BarnesTel:0516789194

TURBULENTParts,ribs,iigsetc EnquiriestoiRollasons,CasllcWaler,Rye I[arbourRoad.

FORSALEVari-Vigginproject. PartiallycompleteCanard.Fuselage bulkheads,variousribsandsparsplus Rutanenginecowlsandnoseconc.Plans forbothnormalandfibreclassouterwine panels.Somematerialsalsoavailable. Withoutmaterials£150.withmaterialswill talk.RexCoatesTel:015689546

100HPENGINEforsale,incl.slarter& generator,loghooks.BrianMillsTel:022 0262951

NEWCofA tbr yourUltraLighi.Single ortwosem.Youlb-orwecollect.Free hangerage.Lovingtendercare!BrianMills Tel:0220262951.

WANTEDMagneioforGypsyMinor engine.MagnetotypeB.T.H.CSE4-4U wichimpulse+tarter,serviceableor olherwisc.WritetoAlanMilchell,19 SahinaStreel.Woodlands,Western Ausiralie6018_

ENGINEThrottlecontrols,pushpull andturntolock£4.75each.Compass correctorboxesP.8.type£2.50each.A. C.Revcounters,Mel.enginehourcounter £28each.BrianMillsTel:022-0262951

WANTED.PFATypeaircraft2seat prelered,Jodeltype,forsmallgroup forminginihenorth.Membersrequired, possilafarmstripoperation,alsoT45 Swallowgliderforsalewithselfsustaining powerunit.Tel:P.Barnes0516789194

SLINGSBYTUTORGLIDERCarefully storedsincelastCofAexpiredJune1970. £650o.n.o.Mightconsiderexchangefor boatorFordCapri.1200ccV.W.engine unconvertedE30T.B.Wooleey,109 VictoriaSt,Narborough,Leicester.Tel: Leicesler862756.

FORSALEOldbutfullyserviceable

Lear.A.D.F.compleiewithallLoomsetc. £750.00.alsovariouscryslalsmadeup forStahlRadio£3each.Tel:MacPherson. Disley(Cheshire)3773.

WANTEDColoursidesofU.K. registeredBalloonsandAirships.AlsoJan 78AeroplaneMonthly.EricSawyer20 HickmanRoad,ChadwellHeath, RomfordRM64PA.Essex.

WANTED.LightAircraft.singleortwo seaier.Anythinuconsidered.Genuine desiretopurchasesuitableaircraft.Telt JohnFreW026685318.

WANTED.Ultra-lightaircraftinflying conditionanytypeconsidered.E.R. Gourd.PhoneSt.Albans31359 or Hemel Hempstead42943

FORSALE.SmallquantityFordsprockets forPeacockVWmagdrive,.13each.3 GallonsTitaninescheme7'whiteundercoat,3Gallonswhitefinish.£7each, excludingcarriage.ContactMikeVaisey, Harpenden68265.

WANTED.£1500cashawaitssingleseat .aircrafiwithpermit.NiekBloom. Tel:01-340-6644(evenings).

GYPSYMOTHPropeller[110,PairLucas SR.-4.Magneto's£45,V.W.1500.05. Unconverted.V.W.1300_Aircraftengine 1:140Propellertosuit.ThreesetsA.C. Wheels,tyres,A.S.1.40to200m.p.h.new ifeenieTwoplans&manual,magneto switchIleW,VW.1700.110(X)miles£140. D.Glover.PhoneLincoln721884.

FORSALE.FREDu/csprings.£10per pairplusE1.75carriagebyB.R.,AH. Scarboro.4FieldLane,Friskney,via Boston.Lincs.Tel.(175-484-416

WANTED.PFAtypeaircraft.Thesmaller hebetterC'.Sewell.Tel.0214595986_

FORSALE1965JodclD.I20 Undercarriagelegsplusonewheel£100. Sipa903spares-Rudder,Ailerons, Controlsetc.Twoaluminiumfueltanksex NC854,6litreseach,offers.P.G.Phelps, 2-103PitifiastonRd.,BirminghamB28 9PWTel.0217456298_

FORSALE.Newfueltaplargecomplete withl'ingerstrainer£4.Ignitionswitchwith onekeyexCessna£4.Owingioshortage of sparetimeanyonetodoconversiononmy 1500VWengine.Costtobeagreed,or wouldanyonehavereadyconvertedengine forsale15-1600ec.DetailstoIDaniels, HerneBay64685(evenings).

WANLLD.Pinnum'. Show. Aircraft Since1900byC.HBarnesPleasesend dcbidstoALMD111111,130AlMet,Road. \\RidClisSes. EnglandBN15OAD.

WANTED.ProgrammesforP.FA. SywellRallies1970,71,72&73.Details toMikeGrigson,77GreenwaysCrescent, Shoreham-by-Sea,Sussex.

1.1COMINGENGINEI pc0-235.II5hp. KR80A.D.S.smallandlightwithno powerpack-idealforultra-light.Jodel optillei.1eh:phone:Pi(-don71888.

COLLINS190channelIndio,VOR. Complciesstili harness.Spaiereceiver MMtir pNck. ('anheseenworking. 1250PhoneG.Fari10270)811332.

SIAM°I400A.engine\vilified.also tinclM‘lediitNippel I1101111,m11.Iel:016-265979,

HMIHIRE.CessnaI50's.SpecialRamco )1A.Nlembeif13.50Wel.Based Houndt.kKirk ['amnion 57219.

FLYINGFORFUNfromAtoZ

Altimeters.ASTAGS,Adhesives,Alternators. Betas,Brakes,Bolts,Batteries,Baffles,Brackets.Bushes. Condors,Carburettors,Cables,CylinderTernpKits,Controls, Crankshatts,Cammies,Cowlings,Cylinders,Cornpasses. Dope,Drives,Ducting,DrainValves.

Engines(Continental,Gipsy,Ivcoming,Ardern),Extinguishers,ExhaustPipes.

Filters,FuelCocks,IuelPumps,Fittings.FlyingWires,Fabric,Fork Ends,Fasteners, Generators,GMeters,Gyros,Clue,Grommets,Gaskets,Gauges. Harness,Hinges,lioniebuildersService.

Instruments,InvertedSystems.1n101-MahonPackages,Inspecnon Panels.

dodels,JubileeClips,Jets.

KitslOrVWconversionsacidCylinderTemperature.

Leads,LogBooks,LandingLights.

Magnetos,Manuals,MasterCylinders,MixtureControls. NavigationLights.Nameplates.Nolilies,Nuts,Needles, OilPressure.OilTemperatureGauges,0Rings.

Plans.Propellers,Plugs,Plywood.Pins,PiotHeads,Plexiglass Pulleys,Pistons.

QuickReleaseFasteners.

RevCounters.RateofClimbIndicators,RodEnds,Rings,Racing specialists.

Starnpes,SmokeSystems,Starters,Shackles,Spruce,Spinners. Switches,Spats,Screws.

Tigers,Turbulents,Tyres.Tubes.Turnbuckles.Tailwheels.Tanks, Tape,TowingHooks.

Undercarriages.

VoltageRegulators,Ventilators,VacuumPumps.Valves.

wheels,Wires,Windscreens.

XcroxCoPyingServiceYourenquiriesarealwayswelcome_ Zerohourengineoverhauls.

Andwrite,callornisi( ROLLASONAIRCRAFTANDENGINESLIMITED BRIGHTON,HOVE&WORTHINGJOINTMUNIC.AIRPORT, SHOREHAM-RY-SEA,SUSSEX,BNI4 SFJ

Telephone:Shoreham-by-Sea(Sussex)62680

forALL AlRCRAFT INSURANCE

StocksofmostmaterialsfortheHomeBuilder Fabric,343,575,Linen7F1/5CandDacron Dope(ClearandColour),PinchinJohnson, TitanineandRhodius

Spruce,PolishPineandAsh

"SECURITYHOUSE"

160-161BROMSGROVESTREET BIRMINGHAMB56NY

Telephone021-692-1245(10lines)

FORKEENESTRATES SERVICEANDSECURITY

ControlCablesmadeuptoorder

Adhesives,AeroliteandAerodux

Fibreglass,ResinandMicroballoons

SteelTube,SheetandRod

GL1AircraftPlyfrom0.8mm.to3.0mm.thick Widerangeofinstrumentsinstock

C.A.A.welding.Machiningandre-sprays

Sends.a.e.forpricelist