BUILD-A-PLANE

Build-a-Plane gets new lease of life

Apprentices move Rans S6 along after four years of inactivity. Rares Turcu reports…

ARans S6-ES project that had been languishing in a container at Havering College for four years due to a lack of qualified people to oversee the project, was generously donated to the Stansted Airport College (STAC) where it is now progressing, thanks to the good work of Ryanair Engineering Apprentices. The Student Project Leader is Rares Turcu, who is also a committee member on YES, the LAA’s Youth Education Support. The project was moved to the Ryanair hangar December 2019. Rares writes: When we received the aircraft, it wasn’t in such a great condition and still needed a lot of work done. Only the basic four aileron fuselage assembly had been completed so our first task was to build the tail assembly and elevator/rudder control system. After a lot of work, and checking everything was correctly aligned, we have now competed the covering Above Andy Daines (Ryanair Training Manager), Rares Turcu (in aircraft), and Ryanair Apprentices Jack Hawkins, Mark De Jesus and Joseph De Saint Esteban show off the S6. of the fuselage and tail components with the special lace on fabric ‘socks’ provided in the kit.

One of our biggest hurdles was that we still needed an engine for the Rans, but we managed to get hold of a Rotax 912S from an aircraft that had been involved in a hangar fire. The engine only has 270 hours on the clock, however, we had to send the cylinder heads off for NDT testing to ensure that their structural integrity hadn’t been affected by the fire. They turned out to be in good condition, so fortunately once reassembled, the engine will be ready for flying. While the heads were away, we also had the pistons removed and cleaned. Our thanks go to YES who funded the seals and gaskets required for these operations.

The next part of the project was moving the aircraft from the Ryanair Hangar to the STAC facility so the project can be continued alongside the students in the college. We want to use this opportunity to teach as many people as we can about aviation.

We hope to continue by building the wings in the near future, and then install the engine, but funding is holding us back as we need to pay for the engine, engine mounts and prop.

Next generation

Our aim to pass our passion for aviation to the next generation of engineers coming into the college and give them the opportunity to fly in an aircraft that they have built. We have YES and the LAA working alongside us, giving guidance and funding for small necessities. Being a member of the YES committee, I am aware of the lack of funds which we currently have due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are seeking funding in order to continue motivating youngsters through our events and to help them pursue careers in aviation. If any members have any ideas or would like to help us, we would be delighted to hear from them. ■ Top left The aircraft at the Ryanair hangar as received.

Above Rares (left) with a couple of apprentices, the tail surfaces having been completed ready to cover.

Above Left Rares removes the heads from the 912S for metallurgical inspection.

Left Control systems installed.

Right Start covering with a small part first!.

Below Current state of play and looking good. Unfortunately lack of funds is hampering the build.