June 2012

2-1/4"PanelMount CompassMCPN-2

2-1/4" SlipIndicator SI-001

PedestalMount CompassMCDN-2

3-1/8"14V

3-1/8"Vaccum

3-1/8"14V DirectionalGyro DirectionalGyro GyroHorizon

3-1/8"Vacuum GyroHorizon GHO2V-3

2-1/4"Vertical CardCompass MCO22

3-1/8" TurnCoordinator TCO2E-3-2

Themediaisrampingupforthe OlympicGames,asindeedisthe CAAwithwhatseemsaconstant streamofmissivesaboutflying operationswithinRitzduringtheeventAs Iseeit,wehavetwooptions,despairand decidenottofly,oracceptthatthereare somenecessaryregulationsandadopta positiveattitude,plancarefullyandsimply getonwithit.Iadvocatethelatter.

Overthepastfewmonths, LightAviation hasendeavouredtopublishanumber ofarticlesexplaininginsimpleterms whattheprocedureswillbetooperatein thearea.Theyare,inreality,moreofan inconveniencethanashowstopperand itismyhopethatpilotswilltakethe opportunitytofly,andwilldoitwell, heedingtherestrictionsandshowing boththegeneralpublicandtheauthorities whataresponsibleandcapablefraternity GeneralAviationis.Thismonthwehave whatIbelieveisthe'easy'optionforfiling aflightplanforoperationintheRestricted Zone-SkyDernonLight.Theserviceis freeandtheplanisgeneratedprettywell automaticallysoyourchances ofgettinganacceptanceare,I hope,high.

This,andpreviousOlympics articles,areavailableonthe LAAwebsite wwwloo.ukcom undertheSafety-Olympics tabs,soifyouknowpilots whoarenotuptospeedwith theOlympicregulations, pleasegivethemasteerto thesite.TheCAAhasmadeit clearthatallinfringements intothezonewillbereported

andthelicencesofthose involvedwillheimmediately suspendedpendingan enquiry.Shouldtherebea numberofinhingements,itis possibleMattheairspacewill hefurtherrestrictedoreven closeddownaltogether-and theconsequencesofthatforGA donotbearthinkingabout.So please,briefyourselfthoroughly ifyouintendoperatinginthe South-Eastfrom14July until 15August

Onthesubjectofbriefing, we areworkingonaBriefingRoom facilityfortheLAAwebsite.The ideaistohostaseriesoflinksto websitesthatmembershaveFound tohe veryusefulwhenplanning trips-weather,airfieldinformation, flyingforeign,Notam,etc.Whetherour destinationisacrossacornfieldoracrossa continent,weallneedtobrief,andwewant theBriefingRoomtoofferallmembersa one-stopshopforwhateverinformation theyneedtofulfiltheir particularrequirement-and youcanhelp.Weallhaveour favouritesourcesofinformation andsimplydroppingmean emailwithdetailsofthesites andperhapsalineortwoabout themwillhelptremendously inestablishingwhat Ihopewill becomeavaluableresourcefor members.

BrianHope EDITOR bIlloclelgtIktalk.net

Thankyou-myemailis brion.hopealoo.uk.com

Flysafely!

SENNHEISER

8NEWS

CAAdelaysEASAHcensinganda changetoNightFlyingregulations 11OBITUARY

Atributetorespectedpilotand instructorPadraigGallagher 12OVERTHEHEDGE

JohnBeeswaxtakesalookatanearly Jodelwithoutagarbheatsystem 14PROJECTNEWS

Celebratinganelderlysurvivor,the beautifulEnglishElectricWren 18POPHAM

BrianHopereportsfromthisyear's MicrolightTradeShowatPopham

22FILINGWITHSKYDEMON

AneasyguidetofilinganOlympic flightplanwithSkydemon 25LAA/RSAFLY-IN2012

Ourtwoassociationsjointo celebratethe65thanniversary 26RAECAWARDS

WecongratulatetheLAAmembers recognisedatthe2012RAeCawards 29BOOKREVIEW

MalcolmRoganreviewsabiography ofengineerArchieFrazerNash 30ENGINEERING

FrancisDonaldsongivesadviceon planningaflighttestprogramme

36AIRTEST-BULLDOG

RichDunevein-Gordondiscoversthe versatilityofthisclassicmiltarytrainer 44AEROFRIEDRICHSHAFEN

TheLAAteamreportsonthismajor Europeantradeshow

50DHQUEENBEE

AcloselookatthisWWIItarget dronewithaninterestinghistory

54SAFETYSPOT

Rehearsingyourdecision-making helpsprepareforastickysituation

59WHERETOGO

Ralliesandfly-insforSpring2012

60LAASHOP

MESUNALWAYSSHINESONTOP

We'veheardalotaboutlegislationand controls,bothdomesticandforeign, thataffectusaspilotsandit'sveryeasy tobecomedisheartenedandtoaskourselves, "Isitallworthit?Isthepainwehavetoendure worththehassle?"Well,actually,yes,Ithinkitis worthit,andI'dliketosharewithyouacoupleof experiencesfromthepastfewweeksthatexplain whyIbelieveit'sallworthwhile.

Thefirstisapersonalexperience.Theweatherhas been,frankly,appallingforthepastseveralmonths, andgrey,leadencloudsdayafterdayafterdayare enoughtodampenthemostardentofspirits.But, despitethat,eveiyclouddoeshaveasilverlining;I wasremindedofthisacoupleofweeksagoduring aflightwithafriendwhohasanIMCrating.Aquick climbthroughcloudissimpleandstraightforward ifyouhavehadthetrainingtodoit,andthesun olvvays shinesontop!

TheIMCratingisstilloutthere,andwillhopefully bewithusforagoodnumberofyears.Atleast,that's theCAA'sintent,andforthoseoptingfortheEASA licence,anequivalentinstrumentqualification willalsobeavailable.I'mcertainlygoingtoaddthe IMCRtomylicencebecausetimeandagainacross theUK,pilotswhohaveinvestedintheIMCRhave founditakeysafetybenefit.Addthistothepotential thatinthefuturesomeofourPermitaircraftcould beclearedtoflyIFRandthatmeansmorefreedom insomeofthepoorerweatherweBritishhavetoput upwith.AsIsay,thesunalwaysshinesontop!

INNOVATION&DETERMINATION

I'dalsoliketosharewithyouthefantastic achievementsrecognisedacrosstheaviation fraternitybytheRoyalAeroCluband celebratedon@Mayintheplush surroundingsoftheRoyalAirForce Club.Theawardsrangedfromextreme kiteflying-fromamilitaryrangeto in000ft,aballoontripofozhours acrossthePolarregion,and300+ kphcontrol-linemodelplaneracing! Reallyquitestaggering.HRHPrince Andrew,thePresidentoftheRoyal AeroClub,summeditupnicelywhen hesaidthathehopedthatouraviators' innovationanddeterminationland sometimeslunacy)wouldcontinue,

THETEAM

PATRON:HRHPrinceMichaelof Kent,KCVO,FRAeS

PRESIDENT:SirJohnAllison

VICEPRESIDENTS:LaurieShaw

DAE,CEng,MRAeS,StewartJackson

CHAIRMAN: RogerHopkinson

CHIEFEXECUTIVE:RichDuneveinGordon

CHIEFENGINEER:Francis

Donaldson,B.TechC.EngFRAeS

CHIEFINSPECTOR:KenCraigie

COMMERCIAL

EMAIL: office@laaulccom

OFFICEMANAGER:PennySharpe

andthatdespitetheattemptsbyregulatorsto curtailsomerecreationalflyingactivities,itwas actuallythriving,andlongmayitcontinuetodoso. AgoodnumberofLAAmembersreceivedawards, andarementionedlaterinthemagazine.Our congratulationstothemallfortheirachievements, beitforsomeastonishingaerialfeat,orsimply beingthequietfacilitatorthatmakesthings happen,andwithoutwhomouraviation communitywouldbeallthepoorer.Welldone! Also,despitethedoomandgloom,theAssociation isholdingupremarkablywell,andthatisreallya tributetoallthosethatputinsomucheffort,bethey ontheBoard,atHQoramongstthemanyvolunteers thatgivetheirtimeandexpertisetofurtherour aims.I'mnotsurewefullyrecognisetheamazing contributionmadebysomanybutitwaspleasing toseesomeofthemreceiveduerecognitionatthe RoyalAeroClubceremony.Toallwhoworkon behalfoftheAssociationIsaywelldone,andthanks onbehalfofusall.

MEMBERSPROMOTELAA

Theeventseasonisnowwellandtrulyupon us,havingstartedwiththeMicrolightShowat Popham,andinlateMayAeroExpoatSywell,both importantdatesintheLAAcalendar.Itisherethat thegenerosityandhelpfulnessshinesthroughas wepulltogethergroupsofvolunteersandaircraft forwhatareveryworthwhileandengagingevents. Withmoreeventsplanned,andaneedforthe LAApresencetobepromotedthroughoutthe CAcommunity,we'llbelookingforwardtothe contributionofourvolunteersevenmore,soifyou feelyouhavethetimeandsomethingtoofferthe Association,thenpleaseletusknow. Theysayitisalwayseasiertobe negativethanpositivebecausethatway, oneisneverdisappointed,buttheyalso sayittakeslessefforttosmilethanto frown,sodespitetheproblems,what weintheLAAofferisthesilverliningto thosegreyclouds,andforthosewhose passionisinaviationtoreallybeableto enjoyitaffordably.Letusallteakeheart, summeratlastseemstohavearrived. Let'sspreadtheLAAmessageasthe morememberswecanget,themorewe canachieve.

HEADOFFICE

TurwestonAerodrome,NrBrackley, NorthantsNN13SYD

TEL: 01280846786

FAX: 01280846780

EMAIL: office@laa.uk.com

ENGINEERING

EMAIL: engineering@laa.uk.corn

LIGHTAVIATIONMAGAZINE

EDITOR: BrianHope

TEL: 01795662508

EMAIL: BEllodel@talktalk.net

MEMBERS'CLASSIFIEDADS

EMAIL: sheila.hadden@laa.ukcom

Whileeverycoreistokenwith contributors'inonuscriptsendphotos, neitherTheLightAircraftAssocintion northepublisherconacceptliability forlostordamagedmaterial.The viewsexpressedbycontributorsdonot necessarilyreflectthoseofthe LAA

IAA

LAANEWS

TheCAAhasannouncedthattheintroductionofnewEASApilots' licencesintheUKwillhedelayeduntil17September2012.Itexplained thatduetothecomplexityofthetransitiontothenewlicenceformat, andchangestotheassociatedrequirementsandinfrastructure,the originat1July2012datewasnotachievable.

TheEAARegulationonpilotlicensingcameintoforceinApril thisyearbutthetransitionperiodtoApril2014orApril2015 (dependingonaircraftcategory)meansthatmostUKpilotswillnothe disadvantagedbythedelay.

Whileitisalwayseasytobecriticalwithhindsight,mostobservers couldforeseeaproblemwithimplementationoftheEASARegulation wasinevitable.EvenaslateasAprilnoacceptablemeansof compliancehadbeenpublished,dueinmostparttodelaysatEASA.

MEDICALDECLARATIONS

ThoughtheEASAlicensingregulationshave unfortunatelycausedagreatdealofconfusion formanypilots,forthemajoritythereisa three-yeartransitionperiod,sotheyhavelittle toworryaboutintheshortterm.However,for thosewiththeoldUKPPLortheJARPPLwho havebeenoperatingwithanNPPLMedical Declaration,ithaslookedasthoughfrom 30Junethisyeartheywouldneedtomake alternativearrangementstoremainlegalas theexemptionallowingtheuseoftheNPPL MedicalDeclarationwasduetoendthen.

RayEtgy,HeadofLicensingandTrainingStandardsattheCAA, said,"Weapologiseforanyinconveniencecausedtopilotsand organisationsthatweremakingplansbasedonthe1Julydate,but weaskthemtostickwithuswhilewegetthisjobdoneproperly.Itis disappointingthatthetimetablehasmovedinthisway.However,itis vitalthatthistransitionisdonecorrectly.

"TheUKwillstillbeoneoftheveryfirstcountriestointroduce thenewlicensingregimeandtheextendedperiodoftransition allowsflexibilityformanyoperatorsandindividualstochoosewhen toconvert."

PilotsareadvisedtoreadthedetailedinformationontheCAA websiteforfurtherinformation. www.caa.co.uk/eupilotlicensing

TRANSAIRONEMIL CHARTS.

CAAhasnowconfirmedthattheexemption willbeextended,hopefullytothe 17September2013,buttheexactdate hasyettobefinalised.Thiswillallow licenceholderstimetoobtainamedical thatmatchestheirlicence,oralicencethat matchestheirmedical,takingintoaccount thattheLAPLmedicalshouldbecome availablefrom17Septemberthisyear.Keep aneyeontheLAAwebsitewherewewill postfurthernewsaswegetit. www.laa.uk.com

LICENCESUSPENSIONFOROLYMPICS INFRINGEMENTS

TheCAAhasformallyannouncedwhat actionwillbetakenagainstpilotswho eitheraccidentallyordeliberatelyinfringe theOlympicR112,P114andP111zones, anditappearsthatalow-tolerancepolicy willbeadopted.AtlasControlwillreport allinfringementsandpilotsinvolvedwill immediatelyhavetheirlicencessuspended pendinganenquiry.

However,theCAAiskeentoretainitscurrent levelofnon-prosecutionofgenuinemistakes wherethepilotexhibitsanopenandhonest attempttorectifythesituationwithmaximum co-operation,butifapilottriestoturnoffhis transponderandsneakoutunnoticedthenthe fullforceofthelawwillbebroughttohear.

MattLee,HeadoftheCAA'sAviation RegulationandEnforcementDepartment, explained,"Overthepastfewyearswe've workedwellwiththeGAcommunityto ensurethattheCAA'sreactiontoairspace infringementsisasensibleonethatimproves flightsafety.Wewanttocontinuewiththat policyduringtheOlympicsbutwealso havetorealisethatanyinfringementof thesecurityrestrictionscouldhaveamajor

impactonairtrafficmovementsintheSouth EastofEngland,causingcostlydelays.

"Aninfringementcouldalsoaffecteventsat Olympicvenues,andifmilitaryactionistaken therewillbeconsiderablecost.Giventhewide consultation,notificationandpublicityin placefortheseairspacerestrictionsanypilot whosubsequentlyinfringesisunlikelytobe someonedisplayingtheattributestheCAA requiresofalicenceholder.Itisimportant thatweallplayapartinensuringthefuture reputationofUKaviation."

Wordofpossibleadditionalrestriction ofairspaceshouldtherebeaspateof infringementsandmilitaryactioncomes fromPhilRoberts,AssistantDirectorof AirspacePolicyattheCAA."Webelieve thatitisvitalthatpilotsareparticularly vigilantduringtheOlympicperiod.Ifwe seeanumberofinfringementsthatresult inmilitaryinterceptions,andknock-on disruptiontomajorairports,thenthereisa realriskthattheconcessionsthatwehave beenabletoagreetodatewillberescinded andactionwillbetakentorestrictaccessto airspaceevenfurther."

EverwantedaplanningchartforUKandIrelandonyour officeorclubroomwallbutlackthespacetousethe threetapedtogetherhalfmilcharts?WellTransairhas comeupwiththeanswerandhasrecentlyintroduceda UKandIreland1:000,000scalewallplanningchart,plus afoldedversion(printedbothsides)thatcanbeusedin theaeroplane.Thewallchartmeasures130cmwideby 117cmhigh.

Thechartscontainawealthofplanninginformation —ATIS,Tower,VolmetandFISfrequencies,Airspaceup toFL105forUKandFL75forIreland,fuelavailability andtrafficpatterns.DangerareasandMATZsandmore. Thechartsarelaminatedandalsocontainthefinaltwo lettersoftheICAOairfielddesignators,sousefulwhen planningonyourGPS.

PricedatE16.99forthefoldedchartandE17.99for thewallchart,theymakeausefuladditiontoyourUK andIrelandplanningtools.AvailablefromTransair. www.transair.co.uk Tel01273466000.

ENGINEERINGONLINE-ASURVEY

Overthelastseveralmonths,we'vebeenworkinghard toupdateourITsystemssothatthey'refitformoving theAssociationforward.Sofarthishasinvolved updatingthe'backoffice'membershipandengineering databases,improvingthetookofthewebsiteand(very soon)anew-lookonlineshop.

Thenextphaseoftheprojectistousethewebsite toprovideimprovedaccesstoengineeringservices, allowingmemberstobettertrackworkaffectingtheir aircraftandhelpingsaveadministrativecosts.But beforeweembarkonthis,andtohelpusdevelopideas andpriorities,we'dliketoknowwhatyouthink.We're lookingforyourfeedbackonwhichweb-basedfeatures youwouldfinduseful,forexamplewouldyouliketo

TocoincidewithaSilverstoneClassicmotor-racing event,Turwestonaerodrome- www.turwestonflight. corn- isholdingatwo-dayfly-inon21and22July. Theeventislabelledas'NRegisteredandAmerican Classics'sowhetheryouflyanN-regQueenAir orCirrus,oraG-regclassicsuchasaLuscombe,

NIGHTFLYINGCHANGES

TheCAAhasannouncedachangetonightflying regulationsthatwillremovetherequirementforaircraft flyingatnighttooperateunderIFR.Thechangecomes intoeffectfrom8June2012. NightVFRispermittedthroughoutEuropeandthe CAAstatementexplains,'Thechangesarebeingmadeto takeintoaccountnewandemergingEuropeanAviation SafetyAgency(EASA)regulationsforpilotlicensing andrulesoftheair.TheCAAcommentsthatmostofthe requirementsforVFRatnightaresimilartotheexisting InstrumentFlightRules,soUKpilotswillbeableto continueflyingatnightasnormalprovidedtheyholda validNightRatingorQualification.Pilotswhoholdan

applyformodificationselectronicallyortoseethe currentstatusofyourPermitrevalidationapplication? We'vesetupanonlinesurveyandwe'dverymuch likeyoutocontribute.We'dbeverygratefulifyou couldvisit http://kwiksurveys.com?u=engineeringonline andtakepart.Althoughitwouldbeeasytosimply 'tickalltheboxes',weverymuchhopethatyou couldhelpprioritisewhatyoufeelisandisn't important,essentiallywhatwouldgive'thebiggest bangforbuck'.Ifwecan'tincludeeveryone'sideas immediately,we'llstorethemupforfurtherphases. Thereisalinktothesurveyonthemagazinepageof theLAAwebsiteat www.loo.uk.com Thanksforyourhelp!

USCONTAINERSPACE

MemberPeterOrmrodisimporting aStampefromBaltimoreand hasspaceavailableina40ft container.Hewillbehappytotalk toanybodywhomaywishtotake thespace.ContactPeteron peter@ stormpetreLnet

LAARALLYUPDATE

TheLAARallywebsitehasrecently beenupdatedwithmoredetails abouttheevent,plusthecampsite pre-bookingfacilityisnowopen. Pay-on-the-weekendcampingis £30perunitbutbypre-booking youcanpay£20perunitand save£10.Thisfeeenablesyou tocampanylengthofstayfrom Thursdaynight30Augustto Mondaymorning3September.Hot showersandregularlyserviced WCsareavailableonsite. Thefirsttwomarqueesarenow virtuallysoldout,leavingmarquee threestilltofillandplentyof outsidespacestillavailable; thisisweltuponthesametime lastyear.Afourthmarqueewilt housetheHomebuildersCentre andFleamarket,plansforboth ofwhichareprogressingwell. Thefoodareaintheexhibition areawillbelargerthisyearwith morevansandmorechoice.You cancheckRallyInformationon theLAAwebsite www.loauk.corn underEvents/Rally2012

CuborAeronca,youwillhemademostwelcome. Withextendedhoursandhopefullyahotsummer forecast,therewillbeabarbecueontheSaturday eveningandcampingwillbepermitted.From AeroncatoWaco,Turwestonwillbetheplaceto goon21/22July.

AGENCY

InstrumentRatingorIMCRatingwillcontinuetohavethe choiceofflyingIFRatnight.'

ThischangeinregulationdoesnotaffectPermittoFly aircraft,astheyarelimitedtodayVFRoperationonly, thoughdiscussioncontinueswiththeCAAtoallowNight andIFRoperations.

SafetyNotice(2012/007)(www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ SafetyNotice2012007.pdf)explainsandincludes adetailedcomparisoncharthighlightingthe differencesbetweenthenewVFRandexistingIFR requirements.ThereisalinktotheSafetyNoticefrom themagazinepageoftheLAAwebsiteat www.laa.uk.com

OnegaAviationLtdhasannounced thatitwillnolongerbeactingas agentsforCzechSportAircraft, manufactureroftheP5-28 Cruiser,formerlyknownasthe SportCruiser.Inastatement, Onegar'sBenFitzgerald-O'Connor saysthat,"Asanethicalbusiness itisourpolicyonlytopromote thatinwhichwebelievein100%. Thisbringsalongandemotional journeytoanend,andwewish CSA'sremainingstaffthebestof luckinthefuture.We'recontinuing tosupportownersandsupply parts,soexistingownersneed havenoconcernsastoongoing airworthinessorsupport." Onegacanbecontactedon0207 5366356orviaemailat ben.fitzgerald@onega.netso

>NEWS

NEWLISTENING SQUAWKS

Asof28May2012forLeedsBradford,and30June2012 forEastMidlands,newlisteningsquawkswiltcomeinto force.ThecodeforLeedsBradfordwillbe2677andthe frequencytomonitor133.125MHz,andforEastMidlands thecodewillbe4572andthefrequency134.175MHz. Pilotswishingtorouteclosetoeitherairport'sairspace canselecttheappropriatetranspondercodeand frequencyinorderthatATCcancontactthemshould theyneedto.

ThefulltistofUKfrequencymonitoringcodesfrom 30Junewillbe:

ANGLO-IRISHVENUE CHANGE

Literallyadayortwoafterthelastmagazinewentto press,newscameinthatthevenuefortheAnglo/Irish fly-inhadchangedfromNewcastle(Iretand)to Ctonbullogue,whichislocatedatmostduewestofDublin. FordetailsoftheeventcontactHarryBennisonon 07961809807.

BOBCOLELECTUREAT TURWESTON

Asamid-weekhighlightofthethirdjointCAA/LAAflight testcourse,BobCole,formerCAATestPilot,istogivea presentationatTurwestonexptainingsomeofthehuge varietyoflessonshehaslearntduringhiscareertesting atltypesofaircraft,fromLAAtypestofastjets.Bobhas beenresponsibleforthetestingofmanyofthetypesthat arenowcommonontheLAAfleet,includingtheveryfirst RVtypestobeseenontheseshoresaswellasmanyexotic andunusualtypes.

ThetalkwillbegivenontheeveningofWednesday 13Junebetween1815and1945localtimeinthe panoramicconferenceroomabovetheLAAofficesat TurwestonAerodrome.ThistalkisopentoanyLAAand BMAAmembers,freeofcharge,andknowingBob's abilitiesasaraconteurwearesureitwillbeamusingas weltasinformativeforanypilotinterestedinhowthe aircraftweflyareevatuated.

LAAandBMAAmembersarewetcometodriveorflyin totheevent,withthetimingofthelecturehavingbeen settoaccommodatetastdeparturesbeforetheairfield closesat2000.Visitingpilotsare,however,remindedthat TurwestonisPPRon01280705400,andareaskedtotake caretoobservetheairfield'spublishednoiseabatement procedures.Thetowerwitlremainoperationaluntil2000 andbothMOLLandUL91fuelisavailable.

Lastyearmanymemberstookadvantageoftheexcellent weathertoflyin,andtheconferenceroomwasfilled almosttocapacity.Sothatwehaveanideaofnumbersfor thelecture,couldmemberswishingtoattendpleaseemail PennySharpeinadvance, penny.shorpe@kauk.com orphone01280846786.

FIRST'OXFORD'SPITFIRE

ThefirstofwhatishopedwillbeafullSquadron ofMk268ReplicaSpitfiresismakinggood progressatEnstoneasthe12shareholders exercisetheskillstheylearnedatanLAAET WorkinginAluminiumcourseattheendof 2011.ProjectCo-ordinatorPaulFowlerhasnow beenappointedtheUKAgentforSupermarine, manufacturersofthekit,andexpectstohe orderingkitstwoandthreeimminently.The impressiveMTelectrically-controlled,threebladepropellerhasrecentlyarrivedforthefirst aircraftanddeliveryoftheV6250hpIsuzu engineconversioniseagerlyawaited.

Paulexplained,"Thishasnotbeena teamingcurve,ithasbeenaverticalclimb forusallbuttheydosayyouwillfindthe buildofyoursecondaircraftverymucheasier thanyoudidyourfirst!TheLAAETcourse wasextremelyusefulandwewitlbesending futureteamsofbuilderstolearnthebasic skillsastheprojectgrows."

ETAluminiumcoursetutorGarySmith recentlyvisitedthebuildinordertofine-tune thenextcourses,plannedfor16/17June, specificallyforSpitfirebuilders. www.spitfireclub.co.uk

SWIFTLEASESWOMBLETON

SwiftAircrafthasannouncedthatitisnowtheleaseholderforWombletonAirfieldinNorth Yorkshire,withEuropaAircraftandSwiftTGMaintenancewithineasyreach.SwiftAircraftplansto revivetheairfieldbyimprovingtherunways,Towerandhangarfacilities.SwiftTGMaintenancewill berelocatedatthesitebyAugust2012andthereareptanstolocateEuropaAircraftandAviation andMarineEngineering(AMEL)assoonaspossible,pendingapprovedplanningapplications. SwiftownerDavidStanbridgeexplained,"WehopethatWombletonAirfieldwillbecomethemain hubforouraviationoperationsandbehometosomeexcitingnewdevelopmentsinBritishaviation history.TheSwiftrangeoflightaircraftwillbetheonlyUKdesignedandbuiltaircraftfor20years andit'swiththisrangethatwehopetoprovetotheworldthattheUKremainsattheforefrontof aeronauticalinnovation." www.swiftoircroft.cauk

AtnoononSaturday,28April, hundredsofpeoplegatheredin theseasidevillageofStrandhill tosayfarewelltoPatrickJoseph Gallagher,airlinecaptainatFlybe,and ChiefFlyingInstructorandfounding memberofSligoLightAviationClub.

BorninBallyshannon6oyearsago,Padraig wasblessedwithanintelligence,talentand abilitytoturnhishandtoalmostanycareer ofhischoosing.Hisearlyyearshighlighted acapacityforhardwork,aloveofmusicand appreciationofhisfellowman.

Anenquiringmindledtoadesireto experienceflightinasmallaircraftHe wasimmediatelyhooked.Attheageof34, fewwouldconsidersuchachallenging changeofcareer.Padraigwasundaunted andembracedbothacademicstudies andaviationinstructionwithhisunique appetite.Hereceivedhisinitialflying lessonsatSligo,fundedbyextraworkas acoaldeliveryman-onmorethanone occasion,hearrivedwithhiscoaltruckand completedhisdeliveryrunafterhislesson. Amanonamission,Padraigdecidedthat tofasttrackhisaviationcareer,heneededto increasethepaceofinstruction.Hemoved toLondonwherehedevouredtheflighttrainingsyllabus-firstgaininghisPrivate PilotLicence,followedbyhiscommercial licences.Allavailablemonieswerespenton Hying.Livinginacaravanbesidetheflight school,hisearningsfromworkingduringthe dayonconstructionsiteswasaugmentedby nightsspent'gigginginpubsandclubswith hisbelovedwifeMargaret

Itpaidoffwhenherealisedhisdreamof becominganairlinepilotwithLoganair. HereturnedtoIrelandand,neveroneto dwellonhisachievements,hecontinued hisrapidelevationthroughtheaviation ranks,endinghissuccessfulflyingcareeras aFlybecaptain.

Hefulfilledhisdream oflivingnearthesea andwithinwalking distanceofanairport bybuildinghisown houseinStrandhill,Co. Sligo,constructedin hissparetime.Where hefoundsparetime isamysterytomostof us-healsocontinued giggingwithMargaret andKelly,hisdaughter, andhadtimetosharea passionforlightaircraft withGeneralAviation enthusiasts.

Atalltimesmodest,Padraigwasarole modelforthemanypeoplehislifetouched. Rarelyhasanyvillagewitnessedsucha diverseattendanceunitedingriefand respectforamanwhospannedallaviation disciplines;aswellashiscareerasaFlybe captain,heheldinstructorratingsinlight aircraft,microlights,helicoptersandmost thingswithwings.Infact,itwasoften remarkedthatifyoucouldattachanengine toabarndoor,Patwouldprobablyflyit Hispopularitywasreinforcedbythe presenceofrepresentativesfromawide

rangeofaviationinterests.Theguardof honourcomprisedFlybecrewandmembers ofSligoLightAviationClub-itwasfitting thathisprofessionalandprivateflyinglives integratedseamlesslytosendhimoff RepresentativesofFlybeandeasylet mixedwithcrewfromAerLingus,Aer Arran,bmi,Ryanairand jeta,andcombinedwith themanysocialflying organisations-theLight AircraftAssociation (LANandtheBritish MicrolightAircraft AssociationiBMAA) fromtheUK,Aircraft OwnersandPilots AssociationlAOPA),ldsh LightAviationSociety, NationalMicrolight AssociationofIreland andanarrayofflying clubsfromIreland, northandsouth,to expresssympathytotheGallagherfamily. MessagesofsympathyfromCanada,Europe, UKandUSAallhadacommonthread-they identifiedPadraigasatruegentlemanalways givingtimetohelpothers-thathewasan exceptionalpilotwasunderstood. Padraigmadeusallfeelspecial-inreality, hewasthespecialone-yes,hetaughtusto fly,buthealsotaughtusthatlifeisthereto bechallengedaswellastreasured. HeansweredGod'scallafterjustonering. Mayherestinpeace.•

JohnBrennan

OVERTR EDGE

"WHERE'STHECARB HEATKNOB?"

Mostofushavebeenaccustomed tousingthecarbheatknobsince wefirstlearnedtoIlly-applying heatedairtothecarburettorofour aircraft'spistonenginehasbecomeastrict roudne.Itisvitalbeforecommencingadescent andontheapproachtoensurethatnoiceis allowedtoformwithinthecarburettor. Wearealsoveryawareofconditionsthatare conducivetotheformationofcarburettoricing andcheckitroutinelyduringthecruise.Yes,we knowthatfuel-injectedpistonenginesdon'thave thisproblembutsittingbehindouroldLycomings andContinentals,weareconditionedtousethe cart)heatIambfirstandaskquestionsafterwards! Pullingthecarbheatknobopenstheflap,which allowsairthathasbeenpreheatedbyamuffaround

theengine'sexhaustsystemtoenterthecarburettor intakeandpreventtheformationoficewithinthe carburettor'svent-mi.

Itwasthereforesomewhatofastuprisetolearnthat ayenerableandthoroughlyreliableJodelDR-logo recentlyimportedfromIrelandwasworkingvery wellwithoutacarburettorheatsystern.TheainTaft ispoweredbyaRolls-RoyceContinental0-2ooA ioohpengineandusesthestandardMarvel-Schebler carburettor,butjustlikeyourgranddad'soldAustin Tenmotorcar,thecarburettortakesitsairfrominside thebonnet,orill thiscasefrominsidetheengine cowling.Itsonlysourceofheatisthatfrorntheairthat haspassedovertheair-cooledenginecylinders,and thesysteinobviouslyworksyewwellastheaircraft, originallyknownasanAmbassadeur,hasgiven trouble-freeflyingforthepastfiftyyears.

Havingbeenschooledovermanyyearsbythe USenginemanufacturers'emphasis-containedin countlessSafetyBulletins-thatadedicatedhotair carburettorheatsystemwasvitallynecessaryforthe safeoperationoftheir'normallyaspirated'flat-four, air-cooledengines,wesoughtananswerfromthe expero.OurfiistcallwastoJodelDRio5oguni17evor Bateswhohasnotonlyoverhauledtheseaircraft formanyyearsbuthastogetherwithhiscolleague PeterThornas,builtanewDRiogo(G-CESA). Trevorknewthatanumberofearly./odel AmbassadeuraircrafthadbeenbuiltbySANwithout acarburettorheatsystem.Heexplainedthatthe Amhassadeur'scowlingswerespedallyshapedto providetheupdraftcarburettorwithwannairfrom theair-cooledcylindersabove."And,"heconfided, "thoughthesystemworkssatisfactorily,itdoeshave

,•• adisadvantage.

Itdrawshotair atallstagesof flightairthat isconsiderably wannerthan theambientair outsidethecowling, andasmostofus know,duetoits lowerdensity,this willresultinthe engineproducing lesspower."To overcomethis problem,SANfitted itsAmbassadeurs withfiner-pitch Evrapropellers.

"However," continuedTrevor, "whilstaDRio5o withanormalcart)heatsystemwill cmiseatiaomphusingonlya,35orpm, itsnon-carbheatcounterpartwill needatleast2,5oorpmtoabiseat thesamespeedsoitbumsmore fuel.Andtohehonest,"hesaid,"I alsofeelabituncomfortablein thedescentwhenflyingwithouta properbarbheatsystem."

WealsocontactedChrisParker, aveteranLodelexpertwhohas extensiveknowledgeofLodel historyandrantheLodelCIub formanyyearswithhiswife Mavis.Hehasownedandfiownmany ()delaircraftduringhislongflyingcareerandhis favouriteistheclassicD15oMascaret ChriscommentedthattheearlyAmbassadeurs evolvedfromtheDRiooAdesignandthefirst exampleswereproducedin1959withno controllablecarburettorheatsystem.After1963, thedesignwasmodifiedwithastabilator-type tailplanearidswept-backfinandrudderAll theselateraircraftwerefittedwithconventional carburettorheatsystemsoperatedbythepilot fromthecockpitPulltheknobandthecarburettor receivedhotairat50-7oTaboveambient Asapostscript,LAEDickDavisonrecallsthatthe iftohpGipsyMajorenginesfittedtoDHTigerMoths andChipmunksalsohadnocarburettorheatapart fromthatdrawninfromwithintheair-cooled engine'scowling.ThecleverbitwiththeseGipsy enginesisthattheydon'tbegintosuckinthehotair untilthethrottleisdosedbelowaoo/oofitsmovement towardstheidleposition.Aneatsolution!

HILLSIDELESSONLEARNED

TheeasternslopesofLongMountain,near Welshpool,wouldmakeanybuddingartistreach fortheireaselandpalette.Adelightfulpatchwork ofhillsidepastureswhichhostgrazingdairyherds andflocksofsheep.LongbeforeWelshpoolAfiport wascreated,fannerLohndeQuinceyletoneofhis hillsidefieldstoalocalflyingdubrunbyitsCFI, ClaudeMillington.Itwasalargefieldofnearly500 yardsinlengthandrisingtoalmostroof(amst Thelasthalfofitsnmwayslopedsteeplyupwards towardsthewest."Itslopediooftin200yards," recallsDaveWilliams,whowasanactivemember oftheflyingclubandakeenpilotofitsTigerMoth. "WedislikedeasterlywindswhentheTigerMoth wouldfloatdownthehillsideat55mphandonly

landwhenwereachedtheflatsectionatthe bottomofRunwayo9!"

ThelittleairfieldatLongMountainbecamea favouriteSummerCampvenuefortheVintage AircraftClubbeforeFinmerewasopened.Its lad<ofradioanditsunrestrictedairspacemadeit idealforthenon-raclioDHMoths,TipsyTrainers andComperSwiftsofthemid-sixties.LocalB&B accommodationintheWelshpoolareawas alsorenownedforitsmodestpriceandwarm hospitalitySomememberssimplycampedon theairfield.

"Theprevailingwindwaswesaerly,"remembers Dave."OurTigerMothhadenoughperformanceto takeoffonRunway27andoutdimbtheupslope,but notallvisitorscouldcupenriththischallenge."

Duringonesummer camp,avenerable LutonMinorhad flownin110111the Midlandsforabrief visitanditspilot hadenjoyeda picniclunchwith sornefriendswho refuelledhisaircraft. Afterhehadcanial outthenecessary prefrightchecks, heclimbedbad< aboardforthe returrourney andhischums swungthe-37hp JARengineinto lifewhilethe freshwesterly breezestirred theleavesofthe surrounding trees.WIththetme-honouredadvice of'alwaystakeoffintowind'inmind,he bideddownwindtothefarendofthefield. Surprisingly,nooneelse hacipaidtheLutonMinor's taxyingmuchheeduntilit hadturnedintowindandthe gentlesoundofitstwo-cylinderLAPengine atfullpowerreachedpeople'sears.Then everyonewatchedwithraptattendonasthe parasol-wingedaircraftbeganitstake-offrun. Becausethefirsthalfofthehillsidemnway wasrelativelyflat,theLutonMinorbecame airborneandstartedtoclimb.Thevarioustrees thatlinedthefieldprecludedanysafeturns totheleftorrightandthegallantlittleaircraft pressedon.

Bythistimeallthespectatorshadputdown theirsandwichesandwerewatchingintently astheLutonMinorsangleofdimbfailedto matchtheincreasingangleoftheupwardslopeof thehillside.Inevitablytheaircraftslill toucheddowngentlyonthegrassrunway...and continueduptheslopeatfullpower.Eventually,iL disappearedfromviewoverthebrowofthehilland then...silence!

Everyonechasedupthehilltodiscoverwhathad happened.Themnwayhadalargeflatareaatits summitwhichwasintersectedbyanother,short downhillrunwayatrightangles.Thisprovided theLutonMinorpilotwithenoughroomtocuthis engineandcometoasafestop.Everyonebreathed asighofreliefHischurnswereabletoturnhimand theaircraftaroundtofacedownhillandrestartthe 37hpLAPel-One.Afewminuteslaterthepilottook offsafelydownthehillandreturnedtohishome basewithoutinddentAlessonlearnedabout hillsideairfieldsbyeveryonepresent•

Compiledby ADRIANWIESE

Project

Celebratinganelderlysurvivor,thebeautifulEnglishElectricWren,alongwith glider-towingonaPermitandroll-onpainting

Ihopethatsummerhasstartedtocreepintothe UKbythetimethatyoureadthis-evenalittle bitofspringtimewouldbeareliefEveiyone saidthatthegardensneededtherainbutmost grassairfieldswouldhavebeencontentwithout quitetheamountthattheyhad.

Still,whenwedogetairborne,wearevery fortunateintheviewthatwegetofourworld andwhenthegooddayscometheymorethan makeupforallofthedifficultiesandminor grumbles.Whetheryou'reatthestageof benefitingfromtheviewsaffordedtoyouby

yournewmount,orstillatthegrumblingand taldngsldnoffyourImucldesstage,pleaseget intouchandshareyourupsanddowns:email meatprojectnews@laa-archive.org.ukor writetomeat9TunstallGreen,Tunstall,Suffolk IPtz2JJ.

TIIESHUTTLEWORTHCOLLECTION'SENGLISHELECTRICWRENG-EBIVV LAST11,`1,11.CGl[r.114;;',,ESKEIICTivir-

Oneofmyearliestandabidingaviation memoriesisofwatchinganEnglishElectric LightningtakeoffRomWartoninLancashire andheadverticallyintothesky,satatopa deepbassrumbleofjetpower.Itborelittle resemblancetotheEnglishElectricWren

whichcamefromthesamecompany30years earlier.Itisstrangetothinkthatitisnowthe WrenthatisstillEying.

TheEnglishElectricCompanywasformed justaftertheendofWWIandBillManning who,unusuallyforthetime,alreadyhada

decadeofaviationexperience,wasappointed itschiefaircraftdesigner.Hismaininterestwas inflyingboatsbut,followinganinvitationtoa glidingcompetitionin1922,hewasinspiredto trytobuildaverylightaeroplanethatcouldbe poweredbyamotorcycleengine.TheEnglish AVeryniceVan'sRV-4importfromtheUS thismonth,andaltheoppositeendofthe spectrumanewTEAMMiniMax.Goodtosee anotherZodiactoo,atypethathasenjoyed supportfromLAAmembersforsomeyears.

G-EXXLZENAIRCH6mX11628-14868 11/0412012

BMcFadden, 4 BaynardAvenue,Cottngham Frth65AA

G- EBNVENGLISHELECTRICWREN313/04/2012

RichardShuttleworthTrustees,OldWarden Aerodrome,OldWarden,Biggleswade SGill9ER

G- RVERVAN'SRV - 449713/0412012

RDEHolah,57WestonRoad,AstonClinton, AylesburyHP225EJ (FormerlyNItgiotill)

>G-CBPLTEAMMINIMAX9318643100

30/04/2012

PRGMorley,Foxlea,43FoxHillRoad,Guilden Morden,RoystonSOSgift

ElectricWrenwasbornandthefirstone 06973,builtfortheAirMinistry)flewon 5April7923,withanemptyweightofonly2321b, whichtodaywouldpossiblymakeitanSSDR aeroplane.

Afi5ooprizewasofferedbytheDukeof Sutherland(whowastheUnder-Secretary ofStateforAir)forthemosteconomicallight single-seataircraftandthe DailyMail had EL000upforgrabsforthelongestflightbya motor-gliderwithanenginecapacityofnot morethan750cc.TrialswereheldatLympne inKentinOctober1523andtheWrenshared thefirstprizewiththeANECIwhenitcovered 87.5milesonjustoneimperialgallonoffuel. Inthemid-795os,Wrennumberthree wasofferedtotheShuttleworthTrustand it,togetherwithalargeproportionofWren numberfour/takenfromtheScienceMuseum inKensington),wasrestoredtoflyingcondition andregisteredasG-EBNV,theoriginal79205 registrationofWrennumberthree.Itwas officiallyhandedovertoTheShuttleworth Collectionon75September1957andmadean eight-minuteflightinfrontofBillManningand DorothyShuttleworth.Itisdelightfultoseeit, likesomanyoftheCollection'svintagefleeron theLAAregister.

NEWPROjECTS

TheGroppoTrailisprovingtobeaverypopular typewithhalfadozenappearinghereinthe lostfewmonths.We'veseenasimilarnumber ofRVazsthisyear,too.

VANSRV- 32363 -1534524104/2032 MEI-Deen,8VioletPlace,NewtonMearns, GlasgowG776FQ 22)- GROPPOTRAILn2-7574416/o4/zon • .7)NameEiaddressheldbyLAAEngineering

TheEuroFOXachievedafirstatthePopham tradeshowovertheMaybankholidaywhen itaero-towedaglider,pilotedbyJohnManiott fromBicesterthe50milestoPophamanddid acoupleoftugsinfrontofthemassesbefore aem-towingthegliderbackhome.Thiscame followingrecentclarificationoftheuseof

ROGERCORNWELL'SEUROFOXUPDATE

ELFECNN BETDRAGFOBJTEUIIOFOX

amateurkit-builtPennittoFlyaircraftasglider tugs,whichessentiallystatedthataslongasthe tugisownedbytheglidingdubandoperated onanon-commercialbasis(withthechargesfor aero-towsonlyrepresentingrecoveryofdirect costs)thenthetugcanbeadministered,operated andapprovedunderanLAAPerrnittoFly.

TheEuroFOXhadanrpmof42oointheaerotowcmiseat8omphandgaveabout-13litresan hourforthetriptoPophamandback.Thatcould representarealsavingforglidingdubsand, havingwatchedthewholeApprovalprocess, IwishtheEuroFOX,bothasatugandalight recreationalaeroplane,allthebestforitsfuture.

DAVIDCASSIDY'SGROPPOTRAIL372-15o98G-CHGM 'ROPPO rEiRia.MICROUGHTfel-CARINGCODM,EITON

DavidCassidy'szookgmicrolightversionof theGroppoTrailisthefirstUKTrailtofeature the85hpSauerS2200UL-aGerman-built powerplantthatburnsaroundi2litresofavgas ormogasanhour,andhasa1,500hourtho. GrahamSmithofUKagentSpriteAviationis keentoofferanaffordableaircraftandthe 85hpSauerunit COMPS inat£7,995ex-VATand

delivery,offeringasignificantsavingovera912 ora2200 Jabirualternative.Weightwisethe Sauerfallsbetweenthesetwooptions. Themicrolightisstructurallyidenticaltothe lightaircraftversionoftheTrail,andDave's exampleisprogressingwellwiththefuselage andwingsnowbuiltandonlythenidderand elevatoryettocomplete.

Anothercost-savingforDaveistheroll-on paintfinish,whichTrailbuildersareable toapplythemselves,foratotalcostofLzoo insideandout.Thefinishisbestdescribedas 'silk',ratherlikeatraditionaldopefinishon fabnc,butiscertainlyveryacceptable.With professionalsprayjobsrunningoutat£5,00ciithisoptioncouldprovepopular.

CMMICROLIGHTSSAFARISSDR BORA'FREE-LIVEFREE

Lastmonthwesawthefirstpicturesofthe CMMicrolightsSafariSSDRandthecompany hasnowcompletedmostofthealuminium constructionontheprototypefuselage, includingthecontrols,andisstartingworkon thetailplaneandwings.

Theyintendtoofferkitbuildersapractically completeairframe,readyfortheirselection ofengine,prop,instrumentsandfabric.The kit-builderwillhaveagoodvarietyofcovering optionswithagenerousweightallowance thatshouldalsoallowforawidechoiceof engine.TheSSDRregulationswillalsoallow thecompanytoproduceanythinguptoand includingcompleteaircraftforcustomers.

ShaunMitchinsonofCMMicrolightssaid, "Iimaginethatnotonlycouldthisbeafun aeroplaneforasummer'seveningbutit mightalsoallowrealfreedomtogoplacesina relativelylow-costaeroplanethatcanbestored de-riggedinagarageortrailer."

See wwwcm-microlights.comk formore informationoremail cliff@cm-microlightsmuk

Therainsthatmadeitthewettest Aprilinyearsfortunatelyabated forthePophamMicrolightshow whenIvisitedontheSaturday, butachillwindmadeitfeelmorelikea winter'sdaythanaspringtimesoirEe. Afairfewarrivalsmanagedtofly inandwiththehealthynumberof attendeesarrivingbyroad,theywere notdisappointed.Thisshowmarksthe beginningoftheUKeventseasonand thoughperhapsnotasbusyasusual,itwas wellsupportedbythetradeandtherewere evenafew'firsts'towhettheappetite. Itwouldbenicetohaveagoodweather PophamMicrolightshownextyear,Ithink it'sbeenseveralyearsnowsincewehaven't hadtoweareithergaloshesoragreatcoat -orboth!Despitetheweatherthough,this eventonceagainliveduptoitspromiseand Ithoroughlyenjoyedit.It'sasimpleformat thatworks,andlonglimyitcontinue.•

TheAndoverStrutwavedtheLAAflagoverthe weekendandhadCedricNash'sWittmanW-10 Tailwindadorningthestand,withaselectionof LAAmerchandiseandinformationinside.Well doneandthankyouAndoverforajobwelldone.

TheD-MotorfromBelgiumhasbeenarounda whilenowandcontinuestoseeimprovements asflightexperienceisgained.Newenginesare nowratedat90hpat3,100rpmascapacityhasbeen increasedfrom2.5to2.7litresbyincreasingthestrokeby 6mm.PricedatC12,600,this52kg(includingoiltank,radiator andexhaustsystem)fuel-injectedunitcomescompletewith ECU,loomanddiagnosticsoftware,plusanexhaustkitandthe requiredfuelandoilaccessories.UKagentisTheWessexLight AeroplaneCompany. www.xairuk.com

_obo e

NigelBealeofCosmikAviationwaslaunchinghis newagencyfortherangeofHirthtwo-stroke enginesandhadthe50hpair-cooled, flat-twinE23andthewater-cooled,82hp, three-cylinderin-line3701(pictured). Thereareplansafoottofitthelatter engineintoaEurostarshortlysoit willbeinterestingtoseeif,atjust £8,249inclVAT,itprovestobe agood,lower-costalternative tothetypicalRotax912 installation.Ithastobesaid thataroundtenyearsagoa numberofownershadless thansuccessfulexperiences withHirthengines,butthese newunitslooktobesuperbly made,andwithareliable andknowledgeableagentto helpironoutanyinstallationand set-upissues,letushopethislater 1.0generationofenginesprovesatisfactory. Certainlythesingle-cylinder28hpF33, 1,$„,., whichhasprovedpopularwithSSDR builders,appearstobeareliableunit. AlsoontheCosmikstandwastheUK's firstRotax912iSengineinstallation,ina EuroStarthatwasonlyawaitingpaperwork beforeflying.Thephoto(farleft)showsthe dualelectronicmanagementsystem(arrowed)andthe largefuseboxrequiredtooperatethisnewfuel-injected versionofthe100hp912. www.cosmikaviation.co.uk

TheAirBikefirstcameontothescenein1994,designedbyWaynehon andproducedbyhisUSultralightcompanyTEAM,whichalsoproduced thepopularMiniMax.Unfortunately,anaccidenttoacustomer'saircraft andalegalbattleledtothedemiseofthemodel,andultimatelyTEAM andafollow-oncompany,honAircraft.Athirdcompany,JDT,tookonthe MiniMaxandHiMaxrangesbutotherthanafewexamplesbeingbuiltin Germany,itseemedthepromisinglittleAirBikewasdestinedtofade intoobscurity.However,enterJohnRiley,whosawthemodelasa potentialcandidatefortheSSDRcategoryanddecidedtomakethe aircraftavailableagain.

Pophamonceagainsawagoodturnoutofgyros, withthenewside-by-sideRotorSportCavalon (right)stealingthelimelight.Thoughitlooks ratherlikeamodifiedtandemCalkins,itisin factanall-newdesignthatRotorSportUKhopes willachieveUKapprovalbytheendofthisyear. Usefulloadiseither225kgor235kg,depending onwhetheryouhavea912or914,andthereis roomforbaggagebehindtheseats. www.rotorsportorg

Johnhadhisinitialsteel-tubefuselageattheshow,poweredbythe Hirth133,andwiththetailfeatherscovered.Thewoodenwings,whichare verysimilartothoseoftheMiniMax,arereadytocoversoitishopedthat theUKprototypewillbeflyinglaterinthesummer.Kitsarepricedvery competitively,from£6,366inclVATforamaterialskitincluding pre-weldedfuselageandtail,leavingjustinstruments,engine and mount, propandpainttocomplete.£9,998buyseverythingbarthepaint.Quickbuildoptionswiththewingwoodworkcompletedorevenready-to-fly optionsarealsoavailable. www.airbikeuk.com

>OLYMPICFLIGHTPLANS OLYMPICFLIGHTPL

Filingaflightplan hasneverbeen easier,thankstothe SkyDemonLight system-andit'sfree!

Lastmonthwelookedatthe changesrequiredforOlympic flightplansfiledonAFPEx, however,unlessyouarealready auser,AFPExisnottheeasiestsystemto gettogripswith.Fearnot,thosegoodguys atSkyDemon,whowithNATSgaveusthe incredible(andfreetouse)SlcyDemonLight plarmingsoftware,areofferingtofileyour Olympicflightplansforfree,andthesystem reallycouldn'tbeeasiertouse.

REGISTERING

PartoftheCAA'scriteriaforallowingdirect accesstotheAFTNflight-planningnetworkis thatanybodyusingithastohavebeen'vetted' andthisisdonesimplybygivingthemyour basicdetailsandUKPilotLicencenumber. Therefore,apartfromthosepeoplewhohave boughtthefullSkyDemonpackage,andwill havealreadyregisteredthisinformation, everybodywhowantstotakeadvantageof thisofferwillneedtoregistertheirdetailswith SkyDemon.Thisisaveryeasyprocess,you justhavetogototheSkyDemonwebsiteat www.skydemon.aeroandhitthe201.2Olympic Gameslink.Atthebottomrightofthatpage isahighlighted'RegisterforFreeFlightplan Submission'command,whichtakesyoutoa formthatrequiresfirstname,lastname,email addressandUKPilotLicencenumber.Send thatoffandyou'reupandrunning.RobHartof SkyDemonrecommendsyouregisteringood timesoasnottocausealastminutebacklog. IfyouarenotalreadyaSkyDemonLightuser thengototheSkyDernonLightwebsiteat anivu/skydemonlight.com andfollowthesimple logondirections.ItworksfineinInternet ExplorerandFirefoxbutnot,Iunderstand,in Linux. LightAviation publishedanarticleon usingSkyDemonLightinMay 2011 whichcan beaccessedontheLAAwebsiteat wwvv.laa. uk.com- clickonSafetyandthenSkyDemon, andfinallythe'here'tabatthebottomofthe textItreallyisthemostintuitiveprogramI havecomeacrossandwithinafewminutes youshouldbeabletoputinarouteand printoffaping.

Withyourroutecompleted,aclickofthe Tlightplan'commandbringsupthe`File a VFRFlightplan'

DuringtheperiodoftheOlympicsthiswindowallowsfilingo VFRflightplandirectlytotheATLAScontroladdress.

AircraftType: )28A

AircraftRegistration:GXXXX

FlightDate/Time:21/05/201218:35UTC(1hourbehh

PilotName: JOEBLOGGS

MobileNumber:,01234567890

OtherRemarks:

Note:SkyDemonhasautomaticallyfilledinallflightplanfielr exceptthoseabove.DuringtheperiodoftheOlympicswev... verifyusersbeforeallowingfilingofflightplans.

ANNINGWITHSKYDEMON

ShowingNOTAMvalidbehveen21/05/2012

tand 23/05/Z01215t59Z.Looking within5.0nmand1,000ftoftheroute.

Warnings

Until28/05/2012

INFORMATIONCIRCULARM043/2012. AEROBATICDISPLAYATDONNANOOK (532831N0000914E)HASBEEN REPLACEDBYDISPLAYAT iVORTHAMPTONISYWELLAD(521817N 0004733W.DISPLAYTIMESWILLBE PROMULGATEDBYNOTAM.12-05-0035; AS6

C.

Scheduled Until30/06/2012(H.1) CAPTIVEUNMANNEDHEUUMBALLOON WI1NMRADIUS5103N00219W (MILTON-ON-STOUR).BALLOONWILLBE MARKEDINACCORDANCEWITHRULE53 OFTHERULESOFTHEAIRREGULATIONS 2007.CTCFORFLYINGTIMES,TEL 07840998551.12-01-0005/AS5. na..y

Keevil - Henstridge Yourjourneypassesthrough_ „NOOKMOO;ISIproptons, —`Our journeypassesthrough ' I.GRder.Laungtfirs: Route

Level:3000ft a.a a Hidingairspaceabove4,000ft Milt forclarity IAS: 108kt

Wind: Nom (24Statistics

Distance:24nm Time:13min

>OLYMPICFLIGHTPLANS

FILINGTHEPLAN

So,havingregisteredyourdetailswith SkyDemonandplannedyourrouteinto, oroutofRm,howdoyoufiletheflight plan?Simplyclickonthe'Flightplan' buttononthetoolbaratthetopofthepage andtheboxshownonthemapherewill comeup.Thedefaultforaircrafttypeis PA2BA,sochangethattoyouraircraft's ICAOidentifierifyouknowitorclickon 'Findmyaircrafttype'ifyoudon't(this featuredoesnotworkifyouareusing Firefox,youwillneedtogoGoogle 'ICAOaircrafttypes'tofindyouraircraft designation).Thenputinyouraircraft registration,nameandmobilenumber. Makesureyoualsoalterthedefault departuretime;aminimumoftwohours isrequiredbetweenfilingaflightplanand intendeddeparturetime,anylessanditwill berejected.Maximumtimeyoucanfilebefore departureis24hourssoifyouarefilingthe nightbeforemakesureyoualterthedate tothenextday.Agreentickwillcomeup inthebottomleftoftheboxonceyouhave completedputtingintheinformation,andyou canthenpreviewtheflightplanbyclickingon the'PreviewFlightplan'buttonatthebottom ofthebox.

Theflightplanwillcomeuponscreen.In ordertomakethingsassimpleaspossible, someoftheboxesontheformarenot changeable.Theequipmentbox,forexample, willshowyouhaveModeSandastandard fit,butifyouhaveanon-standardfitand ModeC,itreallyisn'tgoingtomakeany differenceanyway.Unfortunatelythesystem won'tbeabletocopewithformationseither, soescortinganon-transponder-carrying colleagueinthezonewillnotbepossible -youwillneedtouseAFPExorbuythe all-singinganddancingversionofSkyDemon whichdoesallowthatfacility.

SkyDemonisnowavailableas aniPadapp

Keevil-Henstridge Aircraft

Icentifpation;

FlightType!

Route

DepartingFrom:

CruisingSpeed: CruipngLevel!

Route:

.OtherAircraft/RouteInformation

A,rcraftTyD

Number:

DepartureDateiTime:

OnceyouaresatisfiedallisOKwiththepreviewffightplan,exittheboxandclick'SendFlightplan'in the`FileVFRFlightplan'box

TheplanwillbefiledasVFRwithnodefined cruiseheight,anormalarrangementIfthe cruisespeedontheplaniswayoftthenyou havenotputyouraircraft'scruisespeedinto the'Route'box,whichisthelowestoneonthe right-handsideofthemapwheretheNotam briefandwamingsareshown.This'Route'box enablesyoutoalteryourcruiseheightfrom thedefault3,000ftfortheplog(itdoesnot affecttheflightplan),putinyourcruise speed,thenwindspeed/direction. Theplanputsyourcruisespeed in,basedonwhatisinthis box,correctedtoTAS.

AswithAFPEx, ifyouare )--„,planningan •out-andbacktrip inone /flightyou /onlyneed /tofiletheone ••flightplan;ifyou arelandingoutand thenreturninglater youwillneedtofiletwo plans.Inthe'Remarks' /boxwrite'oneoftwo'and filebothasneartogether )asyoucansothatbothcanbe /consideredtogether.Whenyouare .•happywiththeflightplan,closethe previewboxanddick'SendFlightplan' intheTileVFRFlightplan'box.

ACCEPTANCE

Themobilephonenumberisimportant becauseitistheonlywayAtlasControlwillbe

abletoletyouknow(bytext)ifyourflightplan hasbeenacceptedorrejected.

Ifitisaccepted,youwillalsoreceiveyour approvalnumber,whichyoumustquote totheAtlasControlleronfirstcontactonce airborne.

Ifitisrejected,youwillreceiveoneofthe followingcodes:

A-flightplanRouteerror B-Field18error

C-nocapacityforestimateddeparturetime D-other

Allbeingwell,youshouldhaveno problemsastheSkyDemonprogramdoesthe complicatedpartandifitisrejecteditislikely thatyourtime/dateiswrong,yourrouteisinto aprohibitedarea,orcapacityhasmaxedout foryourpreferreddeparturetime.

MythankstoRobHartatSkyDemonfor assistanceinthepreparationofthisarticle.•

AbusyfewweeksareinprospectfortheLAAmarketing teamwitheventstobevisitedatDuxford,OldWarden andGoodwood

WordsBrianHope

DUXFORDBONUSDAY

ThefirsteverLAABonusDaytakes placeatDuxfordonSaturday9June, offeringmembersandnon-membersan opportunitytoenjoyarelaxedfly-inplus, iftheywish,avisittothemagnificent museum.Half-pricedlanding(E7)and museumadmissionfees(£7)apply;free tea,coffeeandbiscuitswillbeavailable fromthebriefingroomonthefirstfloorof theTower.TheLAAwillhaveamarquee besidetheTowerbuildingtowelcomefly-in visitors.PleasenotethatDuxfordisPPRon 01223833376.SlotsforUKpilotscommence atm30local.

LAA/RSA65THCELEBRATION

TheDuxfordBonusDaywillalso incorporatethefirstlegofa65th AnniversarycelebrationforboththeLAA andtheFrenchhomebuiltassociation,the RSA.Frenchpilotshavebeeninvitedtofly infortheday,andlaterintheafternoon willbejoinedbyanyUKpilotswhowish tojointhemonaflighttoStOmerin NorthernFranceforacelebratorydinner thateveningintheaeroclubhangar.The mealwillcost€17pluswine,payableon theday.Aladybluessingerwillprovide musicalentertainmentAcoldlunchwillbe availableonSundayfor €12. Thereisagood selectionofhotelsavailableinthenearby

townofStOmerifparticipantsdonotwish tocampontheairfield.Verygoodtoiletand showerfacilitiesareavailableforcampers. WearehopingthatCustomswillbe availabletopermitdirectflightsintoand outofStOmerbutattimeofwritingwe arestillawaitingconfirmation.Inorder tohelptheorganisersgaugetheexpected numberofparticipants,cananybody planningtotakepartinthiseventplease emailme,BrianHope,at bfijodel@tniktalk. net toregistertheirintent.Thiswillalso allowmetoemailparticipantswithnewsof developmentsregardingStOmerCustoms availability.ItisnotessentialthatUK participantsattendtheDuxfordpartofthe celebrationbutwe'dcertainlylovetosee youthere.Asabove,DuxfordPPRis on01223833376.

PARTYINTHEPARK

Saturday16Juneseesthisannualevent atOldWarden.Thishasbecomeafirm favouriteforinvitedguestsfromthemany organisationsthattheAssociationworks withthroughouttheyear.Itisintended asapurelysocialgatheringforeverybody toenjoyadayimmersedin'our'genreof aviation.Anafternoonairshow,which startsat4.30,isincorporatedintothe proceedingsandfeaturesanumberof actsperformedinLAAaircraft,including

thePittsteampicturedabove.Please seetheShuttleworthCollectionwebsite foradmissionpricedetails wwwshuttleworth.org

Therearealimitednumberoffly-inslots available;telephoneOldWardendirectly tobook 0 n01767627927ext3.

FESTIVALOFSPEED,GOODWOOD

Memberswillhavenoticedtheseries ofadvertswehavebeenrunningin LightAviationover thelastfewmonths highlightingtheGoodwoodFestivalof Speed.Thistakesplaceoverfourdays, 28June--duly,andtheAssociationhasa standintheAviationExhibition. Whileitmayseemstrangeforusto beexhibitingatamotoringevent,some 30,000petrolheadswillbewalkingpast ourstandandmanywillhavethoughtabout flyingasapastimeatsometimeintheirlife, butforwhateverreasonithasn'thappened. Hopefully,byreceivingafreecopyofthe latestLAATodayandhavingachatwithus onthestandwecanrekindlethatinterest. Aswellastheexhibitionstandwealso plantohaveafewLAAaircraftthereto whetpeople'sappetites.Ifanymembers areplanningtogototheFestivalofSpeed andwouldliketovolunteerforanhouror sotoextollthebenefitsofourAssociation, pleasecontacttheOfficeon01280846786.•

>RAeCAWARDS

HarryHopkinsreports onthepresentationof theprestigiousannual awardsbytheRoyal AeroClubofthe UnitedKingdom

Thevolunteerworkand achievementsofeightLAA memberswererecognisedata prestigiousawardsceremony heldattheRAFClubinLondonon17May. ThepresentationsweremadebyHisRoyal HiglmessTheDukeofYorkKGKCOADC, PresidentoftheRAeC.

TheRAeCAwardsdatebacktotheearly xothcenturyandmanyofthemedals, cupsandtrophieshavebeenhandedtothe thosewhosenamesaresynonymouswith flying-OrvilleandWilburWright,CSRolls, LouisBlériot,andAlcockandBrownarejust afewoftheexaltedrecipients,highlighting theprominenceoftheseawardsinthe aviationworld.

PrinceAndrewwasingoodspiritsand tookthetimetochattomanyoftheaward winners.Inhisspeechhepraisedthe volunteerorganisationsthatworksohardto encouragerecreationalaviationintheface ofincreasingregulation.Aftertheceremony, theLAAawardwinners,togetherwiththeir familiesandfriends,enjoyedaprivate dinnerattheClub.

TheLAAisveryproudtohavehadthe followingmembersincludedintheannals ofRoyalAeroClubhistoryandcongratulates themontheirrichlydeservedawards.

DAVIDCORBETT

David,whosadlydiedinOctober20no, servedonthePFA/LAAexecutiveuntil 2009.Hewasalsoafoundermemberand long-termtreasureroftheFlyingFarmers' Association,wasaboardmemberofthe GeneralAviationSafetyCouncil,amember oftheGeneralAviationAwarenessCouncil andtheCAA'sGeneralAviationConsultative Committee.HebuiltaEuropainwhichhe flewextensively,andwasthetreasurerof theEuropaClubatthetimeofhisdeath. Hisexceptionalcommitmenttoandwork forGAhasbeenrecognisedwiththe posthumousawardofaRoyalAeroClub SilverMedal.Heisgreatlymissedbyhis manyfriendsinaviation.David'saward waspresentedtohiswidow,Penny.His daughtersSusannahandHarrietwerealso presenttoseetheirfatherhonoured.

JOHNBROAD

JohnjoinedtheAssociationin1982andwas electedtotheExecutiveCommitteein2006. Hehasservedas:AssociationSecretary; BoardSecretary;ChairmanoftheSafetyEt EnvironmentCommittee;andasamember oftheLiabilityWorkingGroup,andthe MarketingandEventsCommittees.He hasalsoservedastheLAA'sandVintage AircraftClub(ofwhichhewasChairman) representativeon:CAAAirspaceEtSafety InitiativeCommunicationsandEducation

members recognisedwith RoyalAeroClub Awards

Programme;theGeneralAviationSafety Council;theGeneralAviationAwareness Council;theAirspaceInfringementWorking Group;andtheConfidentialHumanFactors IncidentReportingProgramme.Hismany andvariedcontributionstorecreational aviationandourAssociationhaveearned himaRoyalAeroClubBronzeMedal,along withourcongratulationsandthanks.

JOHNMICHIE

JohnisaretiredBAcaptainandprizewinningRVbuilder,andhasbeenan avidandtirelessvolunteerworkerinthe recreationalflyingarena.Formanyyears pasthehasbeenamajorcontributor andworkerintheLAARally'sBuilders' CentreandsubsequentlytheLAAexhibit atAeroExpo,bringinghisownaircraft anddemonstratingmetal-working methodstobeginners.Hehasalsohelped

LAAawardwinnerswithChairmanRoger Hopkinson,fromleftRoger,JohnBroad,John Michie,ErnieHorsfall,RegBradbury,Linda Walker,DaveHall,PennyCorbettandPatElliott runthemetalworkcoursesfortheLAA's EducationalTrustOverthepasttwoyears, Johnhasbeenheavilyinvolvedwiththe RoyalAeronauticalSociety'sBoeingBuild-aPlaneprojectatYatelySchool,Hampshire, beingpresentwheneverstudentsworked ontheproject,actingasinstructor, mentorandday-to-daysupervisor.Forhis commitmentandexamplehewasawarded aRoyalAeroClubBronzeMedal.Welldone, John,andthankyou.

REGBRADBURY

RegjoinedtheAssociationin1983andhas beenaveryactivememberandpilotBy 1988he'dbecomethedynamicChairman oftheWestMidlandsStrut,aposition heheldfor25years.Inthatcapacityhe organisedannualfly-insatBurnastonand Tatenhill,alwayssupportedbyhiswife, Hazel.Hewasalsoavolunteerworkerat theAssociation'sralliesformanyyears, takingonarangeofdifferenttasks,and gavehiswisecouncilandsupporttothe Association'sNationalCouncilfor23years. Forhismanyyearsofvoluntaryworkon behalfoftheGeneralAviationcommunity RegBradbulywasawardedawell-deserved RoyalAeroClubCertificateofMeritThank you,Reg,andHazel,foryourlongserviceto theAssociation.

DAVEHALL

Davehasbeenamemberofthe Association'sYouthandEducationSupport Strutsinceitsinceptioninlate1997,and remainsanactiveworkerinit.Aretired teacher,hehasusedhiseducational backgroundandexperiencetogiveYES manypracticalfeatures.Theseinclude: simplesliderules;templatesforthe creationofextremelysimpleflying modelsfrompolystyreneplates; andanumberofwrittenguidesfor youngsterstouse,forexamplehow tobehavewhenonanairfield.Dave hasbeenatirelessworkerfor et

>RAeCAWARDS

YES,settingupandrunningYESstands ateventsincludingtheFarnboroughAir Show,theRoyalInternationalAirTattoo, theLAARally,andtheNECFlyingShow. Forhisinspirationalandtirelessworkin introducingyoungsterstothefascinationof aviationandforhisoutstandinginnovation inthewayitisdone,hewasawardeda RoyalAeroClubCertificateofMerit.Thank youDave,forallyourhardwork.

ERNIEHORSFALL

Erniewasbornon21April1918.Helearned toflyinthemid-196osandhasbeena memberoftheAssociationsince1967,only givingupflyingattheageof92,whenthe insurersdeclinedtoofferhimcover.I-Ie establishedhimselfasoneofthecharacters inrecreationalflyingcircles,notonlyas akeenpilotbutalsoasaprotagonistand expertfortheJodelmarque.Anenthusiastic Francophile,formanyyearsheflewfarand wide,seekingoutjodelslyingunlovedinthe backofhangars,buyingthemandflyingor traileringthembacktohisbaseatBlackpool. Somewereresoldquiddybutseveralof themwerethesubjectsofextensive,highqualityrebuilds.Hehasbeenresponsiblefor importingover70aircraft,mostofwhichare stillgivinggoodservicetotheirowners. HehasservedasanLAAInspectorsince 1971,notmissingasingleInspectors'seminar since,andhewasalsoanInspectorfor theIcelandicCAA.From1976-1991hewas amemberofthethenPFA'sExecutive CommitteeandwasawardedanRAeC BronzeMedalin1997forhisservicesto recreationalaviation.Erniehasnowbeen

awardedtheRoyalAemClub'sCowburn ItKayTrophy,betterknownasthe'OldEt Bold'.Ernie,wesaluteyou.

PATRICKELLIOTTANDLINDAWALKER

AsandwhenhiscareerasaBApilot allowed,Patmethodicallyworkedfor16 yearstobuildaRutanLong-EZ,hisaim beingtocompletetheaircraftintimefor hisretirementsothatheandhiswifeLinda couldenjoyflyingadventurestogether. SettingoffinSeptemberzmo,PatandLinda followedtheoverlandroutetoAustralia throughEurope,theMiddleEast,Pakistan, India,Bangladesh,Thailand,Malaysia andIndonesia,arrivinginDarwinafter twomonthsofunhurriedflying.Following this,theyspentacoupleofmonthsonan extensivetourofAustralia.

Theythendecidedtotakethelongway homeandroutedupthroughIndonesia, thePhilippinesandTaiwan,hopingto continueupthroughRussiaandcrossthe BeringStraitsintoAlaska,butwerethwarted bybureaucracy.TheydismantledtheEZ inTaiwanandshippeditacrossthePacific toVancouverwhere,havingreassembled it,theycontinuedacrossCanada,visited theEAAConventionatOshkosh,andthen returnedtotheUKviatheNorthAtlantic routeofGreenland,IcelandandtheFaeroes. Theyarrivedhomeoneyearandoneday afterhavingsetout,theiraircrafthaving performedfaultlessly.

Fortheirtremendousadventurousspirit, tenacityinthefaceofbureaucraticobstacles, plustheirincrediblefeatofairmanshipand navigation,PatrickandLindaElliottwere

awardedtheRoyalAemClub'sNortonGriffithsTrophy.CongratulationstoPatand Lindaonthecompletionoftheirinspirational adventureandthiswell-deseniedaward.

JAKEBLAND,CHRISDRAPER,CHRIS

HILL,GRACEROAF,CONNORSIMPSON ANDOLIVERVASS

ThoughnottechnicallyanawardtoLAA members,thesefineyoungstersfrom YateleySchoolverymuchrepresentthe ethosofourAssodationandhavebeen involvedinthebuildingoftheRAeS/ BoeingRansunderthestewardshipof LAAmembers.Buildsessionshaverun everyweekforatleasttwohoursandthese studentshavealwaysbeenenthusiastically involved.Aswellaslearninghowtobuild theaircraft,theyhavebeeninvolvedin numerousotheractivitiesassodatedwith theproject:theyhavegivenlectures,visited aircraftmuseums;takentheaircraftto events;andappearedonlocalTVnewsand inlocalnewspapers.

Allthestudentshaveshownavery professionalapproachandhavebeen willingandabletosharetheirlcnowledge withthewiderpublic.Thesestudentshave beenexcellentambassadorsfortheirschool, theRAeS,Boeingandtheaeronautical indusny.Theyhaveshowndedication, determinationandenthusiasmevery stepoftheway,evenwhenthingsdidnft goasexpected.Fortheircommitment, professionalismandperseverancetheywere awardedtheRoyalAeroClubPresident's BreitlingTrophy.Wecongratulatethemand wishthemwellforthefuture.•

ARCHIE FRAYER-NASH

...ENGINEER

ARCHIEF ER-NASH.. ENGINEER

byTrevorTarring,MarkJoseland,FrazerNashArchives

ReviewedbyMalcolmRogan

ArchieFrazer-Nashmaybestbe rememberedasthedesigner, constructorandsuccessful racingdriverofFrazerNash chain-drivensportscars.Hewas,however, muchmorethanthat.Thisbiography illuminatesArchie'swiderangeofskills asaninnovativedesigner,consultantand aeronauticalengineer.

ThebookcoversinsomedetailtheGNand FrazerNashcarsfamiliartoenthusiastsof vintagemotoring,butitalsooffersanaccount ofaremarkablecareerinaeronautical engineeringstretchingfrommachinegun interruptergeardevelopedduringWWIto weaponsejectorsfortheCanberraandTSR2.

ArchiewasborninIndiabutmovedtothe LWinchildhoodand,incommonwithmany pioneersinmotoringandaviation,studied atengineeringcollegeinLondonbefore launchingintobusiness.TheGodfreyNash cycle-car,devisedwithhisfellowstudentRon Godfrey,waslaunchedin1910,thesameyear thatdeHavillandflewhisfirstaeroplaneand Morgandrovehisfirstthree-wheeler.Archie wasalsoanearlyaviator,holdingpilotslicence No.126,butthebooksadlyincludesonlyone accountofhisflyingexperience.

TheGNcycle-carwasagreatsuccessuptothe startofWWIbutwasovertakenbytheAustin

Sevenafterwards.WiththedemiseofGN, Archielaunchedthemotorcompanythat bearshisnamein1924butlostcontrol in1929.From1931onwards,heforsookthe motorindustry,workingasanengineering innovatoracrossmanyindustries,but predominantlyinaviation.

In1915,AFNenlistedandwasquickly transferredtotheAirArmamentsDesign sectionofwhatwaslatertobecometheAir Ministry.Thereheworkedonmachinegun interruptergearforfighteraircraft,leading tothewidespreadintroductionofthe Constantinescuinterruptergearinmay.

ARCHIEFRAZER-NASH...Engineerisa264-pags hardback,234x156mm.Itcontains98pictures anddrawings,sevenappendicesandanindex. PublicationisbyTheFrazerNashArchivesand supportedbytheMichaelSedgwickMemorial TrustandtheFrazerNashCarClub.Copiescanbe obtainedfromAnnRobbins,KirkbyHouse,Scrooby, DoncasterDM6AD (ann©bnwtryneg priceE35 postpaidUK(540postpaidEurope,E41restofthe world).ChequespayabletoFrazerNashCarClub Ltd.AlsoviaAmazon.ISBN-10:0957035101and 158N-13:978-0957035102

TheConstantinescusystemusedsonic-speed hydraulicpulsesandArchie'sexperiencein gettingthisgearintosuccessfuloperationwas appliedinlateryearstodevelopmentofFrazer Nashhydraulicgunturrets.Theseequippeda widerangeofaircraftfromtheHawkerDemon totheLancaster,aswellastanksandboats. Attheendofhostilities,56,831FrazerNash gunturretswereinservice.Indeveloping, manufacturingandmaintainingturrets,Archie wasinvolvedwiththePamellAircraftCompany andsurprisinglywiththecompanyproducing FROGmodelaircraft.

FromtheendofWWIItillhisdeathin1965, Archieprovidedengineeringconsultancy servicestoorganisationsrangingfromWatney's BrewerytotheAtomicEnergyAuthorityandthe leadingaviationcompaniesofthetime.

Theauthors'accountextendswellbeyond Frazer-Nash'stechnicalachievements.Archie wasahands-onengineerandalarger-than-life characterwhoinspiredrespectandloyaltyin greatmeasure.Manyphotographsofhimshow abroadsmileonhisface.Givingfocustothese attributesaswellasadetailed,thoroughlyindexedresearchofaprofessionallifeisthe stuffofanentertainingbiography. Archie Frazer-Nash...Engineer isagoodread.Itisa satisfyinglycompleteaccountofazothcentury manofmanytalents.Recommended.•

P NNING

PROGRAMME

LastmonthItalkedaboutthe needtodoyourhomeworkbefore startingaflighttestprogramme, andhowtheInternetthesedays helpsuslookupthebackgroundtoanaircraft designandgetanideaofproblemsbeing experiencedinthefield.AGooglesearchwill oftenturnuponeormoreaccidentsthathave happenedwithatype,andsuggestspecial areastofocusonduringthetesting.

COMPARISONTOKNOWNS

Anotherusefulpieceofbackgroundworkisto calculatetheaircraft'swingloadingIpounds persquarefootorkilogramspersquaremetre) andpowerloading'poundsperhorsepower, orkilogramsperkilowatt)andthenseehow thesenumberscomparewiththoseofother, morewellknowntypes.Thiswillquickly showwhetheryouaredealingwithahotship oralightly-loadedrunaboutlitheprojected performanceandstallspeedfiguresdiffervery muchfromthoseforanaircraftthatcomes

closetoitonthewingandpowerloadingchart lseefigure)thenthismaysuggestwherespecial attentioniswarrantedmthetestprogramme, aseitherthedataissuspectortheaeroplane musthavesomeprettyspecialfeaturestomake itperformbetterorworsethanthenorm. Iftheaeroplanehasasimilarwingloading andpowerloadingtoaJodel,forexample,but claimstwicetheclimbratethenitmusthave animpressivelylowdragcoeffidentandthe testplanshouldperhapslookintowhether theclimbrateiscriticallyaffectedbyraindrops accumulatingonasuper-smooth,laminar-flow wing. It thestallspeedclaimedforthetest aircraftismuchlowerthanwhatyouexpect foranaircraftwiththesamewingloading,has thetestaircraftgotanunusuallyadvancedHap systemoristhedataperhapsbeingskewed bypositionerrorsaffectingthepitotstatic system?Youneedaproperideaofthelikely stallspeedbeforethestartofthetests-itmight affectthedecisionaboutwhatairfieldtoflythe programmefrom,forexample.

>PLANNINGFLIGHTTESTS

LAYOUTEFFECTS

It'salsoworthstandingbackandlookingat theaircraft'sbasicfeaturesattheflighttest planningstageasthiscangiveaclueabout particularaspectsthatmayneedspecial attention.Hasitgotsharplytaperedwings, whichmaybemorepronetotipstalling?Hasit gotminisculecontrolsurfacesthatmayrunout ofauthorityatlowspeed?Aretheaileronsof theFriseordifferentialtype,orold-fashioned barndoorsthatarelikelytocreatealotof adverseyawandagreatertendencytospin offaturnpulledtootightlyatlowspeed?Ifa conventionallayout,doestherearfuselage lengthseemgenerous,whichwilltendtomake itmorestableandpredictable,orisitshort coupledandpotentiallymoreofahandful?If itisahigh-wingerwithasmallfinandrudder, andalotoffuselagesidearea,itwillbemore likelytosufferDutchrollinstabilitysothe lateral/directionalhandlingwillwarrant specialcare.Wheredoesthepropeller thrustlinelieinrelationtothemainbulkofthe aircraft?Ifit'sahighthrustlinetypelikeaKolb TwinstarorQuadCityChallenger,thenitwillbe pronetopitchingnose-downwhenthethrottle isopened,andnose-upwhenthepoweris shutoff,sospecialcareisneededtocheckthe behaviourinago-aroundsituationandina simulatedenginefailurewhenclimbingout aftertake-off.

BASICHANDLING

Asfarasthebasichandlingqualitiesofthe aeroplanego,thenormalaspectsinvestigated includethestaticanddynamicstabilityabout thethreeaxes,thecouplingbetweenthe variousaxes,thecontroleffectivenessand harmony,theeffectivenessofthetrimmers, trimchangeswithpowerandflapposition,and

EACHNEWTYPEofLAAaircraftisconsidered separatelyastowhethertodospintestsornot.The firstUKexamplesofallaerobaticaircraftarerequired tobespun,andusuallyeachsubsequentexampleof aerobatictypesisalsospun.

Thesedays,thefirstexamplesofnewtypes ofmicrolightarerequiredtobespun,butnot subsequentexamples.That'sbecauseBCARSectionS waschangedtoincludespintestingafewyearsago.

Non-aerobatic,non-microlightaircraftare sometimesspintestedbutnotalways.Oneofthe problemsisthatmostaircrafthavemorethanone spinmodeandjustdoingahalf-dozenorsospins doesn'tproveanaircrafttobesafetospin-ittakes literallyhundredsofspinstodoallthedifferent combinationsofpower,weightandcg,flapposition, reversedrecoveryactions,etc,andeventhen,the particulartechniqueusedcanmakeahugedifference e.g.stickbackgently,smartly,rudderfirst,elevator first-sothepossiblecombinationsarealmost endless.Thevalueofdoingafewspinsandgetting averylimitedamountofdatabackaboutspin characteristicshastobeweighedagainsttherisk thatanunrecoverablespinmightbeencounteredin thespinprogrammeandfittingspinparachutesor escapingusingapersonalparachuteisnotalways easy,requiringjettisonabtecanopies,etc.

ALso,spintestingaslippery,low-dragaircraft clearedonlyinthenon-aerobaticcategoryi.e.with

hestallcharacteristicsandspeeds,including theadequacyofthepre-stallwarning.Freedom fromflutteranddivergenceathighspeedare oftentested,eithertoVneor,occasionally, undercarefully-controlleddrcumstances,to thehigher\Mrfigureldemonstrateddivespeed) whichestablishesthatsomemarginexists

a3.8gstructure,canhedifficultbecausethenosedownattitudesatrecoverymakeitverydifficultto recovertolevelflightwithoutexceedingVneor3.Bg orboth,eveniftheaircraftrecoversinstantlyfromthe spin,sothespintestishazardous.

Inreality,byfollowingnormalgooddesignpractice asregardsaeroplanelayout,finandruddershape andarea,etc,wearenotseeingaccidentshappening withLAAaircraftfailingtorecoverfromirrecoverable spins.Wherespinningaccidentsoccurtheyarein circumstanceswheretheaircraftwastoolowto recovereveniftheaircrafthadgoodspinrecovery characteristics.Hencethefocusonstall-warningand stallbehaviour,andthewing-dropatthestallrather thanonthedevelopedspin.

NASAresearchhasshownthatsmallchangesto anaeroplanecanmakebigdifferencestothespin characteristics,soevenifwedidabigprogrammeto spintestaprototypekitplaneindetail,eachkitplane tendstohaveasetofmods(differentprops,battery relocated,differentrootfairings,spats,wingtips, etc)onboardwhichmaywellalteritsspinrecovery, butitwouldn'tbepracticaltodohundredsofspins oneachnewly-finishedhomebuilttotestwhetherit hadabadcombinationofoptions!That'soneofthe reasonswhyLMEngineeringisratherunenthusiastic aboutmajormods-partofuswouldhkeallkitstobe justlikethefirstone,butweknowthat'snotwhatthe game'sabout!

aboveVne.Theonsetofdivergenceisoften indicatedbyreducingaileronauthorityat highspeeds,duetothewingtwistingin responsetotheforcesgeneratedbythe aileron,thetwistinthewingcancelling therollingeffectoftheaileron.Aswith divergence,fluttertestingisadangerous

Resultsoftypicalmeasurementsofrateofdescent(ROD)showingdatapointsfromdescentatdifferentairspeeds,a'bestfit'curveandthewaythat airspeedsforshallowestangleofdescentandminimumdescentratefortheaircraftarederivedfromthiscurve.Thelowpointinthecurvegivesthe speedforminimumsink,whilethelinejoiningtheoriginofthegraphtothetangenttothecurveyieldsthespeedforshallowestglideangle.

partoftheprogrammeandnotsomethingto undertakelightlyorwithoutanescaperoute. Insomecases,spintestingisrequired,orfor appropriatetypes,acrobatictests.

ASICALIBRATION

Inordertomakethespeedmeasurements meaningful,increasinglythesedaysweneedto calibrateourASIinstallationbyobtainingthe correctioncurvesthatshowtherelationship betweencalibratedairspeedtoindicated airspeed,beingneededduetothecombination ofso-calledpositionerrorsinherentinthe designofthepitotstaticsystem,andthe instrumenterrorsintheindividualASIfitted onourpanel.Nowadays,thisisgenerallydone bycomparingtheindicatedandGPSspeeds, averagingtheinto-windanddownwindresults andmakingacorrectionfortheeffectsof densityaltitude.Thepitotstaticsystemalmost inevitablyleadstoanunder-readingASIathigh angles-of-attackduetothepitottubenolonger pointingdirectlyattheoncomingairflow,so ourASIkidsusthatwegetamuchlowerstall speedthanweactuallyget.Conversely,on manyaircrafttheASIover-readsathighspeed duetothepressurearoundthestaticportnot beingquiteright,whichgivesproudownersthe opportunitytoboastabouttheircruisespeeds.

PERFORMANCETESTS

PerformancetestsrequiredonLAAaircraftare usuallyfairlyminimalandgenerallyinvolve determiningthebestclimbspeedsandbest descentspeedsbycarryingoutrepeated(so calledisaw-toottiiclimbsanddescentsunder asclosetoidenticalconditionsaspossible, butatarangeofindicatedairspeeds.The climbanddescentratesarethenplotted againstthespeedsflownsoastodetermine theoptimumspeedsfromtheresulting curves.Take-offandlandingmeasurements areoccasionallymadebutduetothefactthat notwohomebuiltaircraftareeverquitethe same,andthereisnoformalrequirementfor

homebuiltaircrafttohaveanindividualPilot's OperatingHandbooks(POHLnotmuchisdone inthisarea.InstancesofLAAaircraftcoming togriefduetoinadequatetake-offorlanding distancesbeingavailablearerare,whichseems tosuggestthatthelackofdatainthisareais notcausingtoomuchofaproblem-perhaps becauseLAAaircraftgenerallyneedlessbyway ofrunwaylengththanothertypesoflightGA aircraft.

CENTREOFGRAVITY

Ofcourse,boththehandlingqualitiesand theperformanceofalightaircraftareaffected toagreaterorlesserdegreebytheaircraft's weightandcentreofgravitypositionfor

theflightinquestion.Whenplanningatest programmeit'scommontorestricttheaircraft toareducedweightandafairlycentralcg positionintherangeforthefirstfewflights, andexpandtheweightandenvelopelateras confidenceisgained.

LOADCONDITIONS

Ifalltheperformanceandhandlingqualities testshadtorepeatedundermanydifferent loadingconditionsthenthetestprogramme wouldbeextremelytedious.Inordertoavoid repeatingthesametestsoverandoveragain, partofthetestplanninginvolvesworking outwhichtestswillbedoneatwhichload conditions.Forexample,withmostaircraftes

Flight1-Lightweight midCG,formaximum safety

Flight2-Midweight, moderatelyaftCGfor envelopeexpansion,

*Flight1 generalhandling,and AMcalibration

*Flight 2

Flight3-Maxweight forperformanceand *Flight3 stallspeedchecks

Flight4-MaxaftCG Flight4 forstabilitytests, forwardtrimauthority

*Flight 5

Flight5-Maxforward CGforcontollability tests,afttrimauthority

>PLANNINGFLIGHTTESTS

theconditionthatrequiresthemost'up' elevatortrimistheapproachtoland,throttled rightbackwiththeflapsdown,atthemost forwardcgposition.Conversely,themost 'down'trimisneededinthehighpowercruise, flapsup,andwithmaximumaftcg.Timecan thereforebesavedduringthetestprogramme bylookingatthesetrimcasesonlyunderthe worstcaseconditionsofloading,knowingthat ifthetestispassedintheseconditions,then itwillsurelybeadequateinthelesscritical loadingscenarios.

Stabilitytestsandstallingbehaviour areusuallycriticalattheaftcgcondition, whereastheperformanceisusuallyworst andthestallspeedshighestatforwardcg. Notalwaysthough,forwithmanyaeroplanes theconfigurationissuchthataddingthe payloadtotheemptyaeroplanemovesthe cgprogressivelyaft,soheavygrossweights correspondwithanaftcgandlightweightsa forwardcg.Withtheseaeroplanes,it'shardto predictwhetherthehigheststallspeedswill bewhenhighlyloadedorlightandforward cg-itoftendependsonwhethertheamountof elevatorauthoritybecomesthelimitingfactor atforwardcg.

TESTINGMODIFICATIONS

MuchoftheflighttestingonLAAaircraft involvestestingmodificationsonexisting well-establishedairframes.Eventhesimplest modification,whetheritbeadoorlatch,carb heatsystemoranewtypeoftailwheelspring raisesthesamefundamentalquestions.

Howdoesitcomparewiththestandard arrangement?Isitbetter,worseorindifferent? Doesitworkinbasicallythesamewayorin adifferentmanneraltogether,whichmay introducenewrisks?Oftenit'ssensibletodo aflighttestonthestandardarrangementfirst togatherbaselinedataonhowthatperforms, beforetestingoutthemodification.Otherwise youmayfindyourselftearingyourhairout tryingtoworkoutwhyyourmoddoesn'tmeet therequirements,wheninfacttheoriginal designwasnobetter;orevenworse.

Doesitcomplywithapplicabledesign requirements?Thedesigncodesformicrolights andVLAscanbedownloadedfromtheLAA website,andforVLAsthere'salsoahandy indexbytopicin TechnicalLeafletTL1.13which

helpstoquicklyidentifywhichparagraphs ofacoderelatetothevariouspartsofthe aircraft,soyoudon'thavetotrawlthrough thewholething.

Willitfunctionasintended?Seemsan obviousquestionbuttherecanbesubtleties here.Acarbheatsystemmayseemtokeepthe carbiceatbayinnormaloperationbuthow willitcopewithextremecarbiceconditions? Tofindouthowthesystemperformsitneedsto betestedintheworstconditionsitislikelyto experienceinseivice,orifthisisnotpractical, itmaybepossibletomakemeasurements inaverageconditionsthatcanthenbe extrapolatedtopredicthowitwillbehavein theworstcase.

Whataretheimplicationsofanypotential malfunction?Ifitwereacowlflapmodification, forexample,whatwouldbetheimplications oftheflapstickingintheclosedpositionwoulditbeobviousfromthepilot'scontrol whathadhappened?Wouldtheengine overheatdrasticallyinafull-powerclimb withtheflapdosed,eitherthrougha technicalfailureorifthepilotsimplyforgot toopenit?Thetestplanmightneedtoinclude somesimulated'jammedclosed'tesringto seehowseriousthetemperature consequences.Ifit'sacanopylatchmod,does itlatchreliablyeverytimeoristhereaknack toit-orcouldthepilotdowithawarning buzzertotellhimifit'snotlatched?Ifit's athrottlecontrol,whathappensifthe cablebreaks-willthecarburettorgotofull power,oridle,orwhat?Malcolm'spiece thismonthdiscussesjustsuch,scenariosthat haveoccurredrecently.Theevaluatingpilot isprobablythebesttojudgewhat'smost appropriateforaparticulartype.

Doesorcouldithaveanadverseinteraction effectwithanyotheraspectsoftheaircraft? Thereareendlesspossibilitieshere,for aeroplaneshaveaperversehabitofcatching yououtinthemostunexpectedways.It's obviousthatintroducinganopenable ventilatorinthecanopycouldleadtoexhaust smokeinjectionintothecockpit,butlessso ifthemodwastothefasciaplatefortheflap lever.Smallchangestothewheelspatsof steerablenosewheelaeroplanescandrastically affectthedirectionalstability,andIknowa casewhereadifferentwindscreenintroduced serioustailplanebuffet.

Willthemajorityofpilotsbeabletouseit?If specialflyingskillsordexterityareneededto makesomethingwork,it'sprobablynotgood enough.Whataboutphysicalstature-withthat newcanopylatch,willapilotwhoisunusually tall/shortorstouthaveproblemsgettingitto latcheverytime?

Doesitmeritanyspecialinstnictionsasto howtouseit?ForthoseaircraftwithaPilot's OperatingHandbook,isitnecessarytomakeup asupplementtoshowthepilothowtousethe alternativeengine,electriccarbheatcontrol, handbrakevalveorwhathaveyou.Ifthere'sno POLListhefeatureunusualorcriticalenough towarrantaspecialsetofpilot'snotesbeing puttogethertoencompasstheinstructions foruse?Whataboutextracockpitplacards -thispilotmayknowthatpullingthatblue knobopensthecowlflap,butno-oneelsewill unlessitsproperlyidentifiedbothastowhatit doesandwhetherit'spullorpushfor'on'.Or theremaybeaneedforextraadviceoreven anextraoperatinglimitation-'usecarbheat generously'or'windowmustnotbeopenedin flightatairspeedsabove65mph'forexample.

Ofcourse,thepersonwhocameupwith themodinthefirstplace,theinspectorwho signeditasfitinformandfunction,andthe designauthoritywhosigneditofffordesign, shouldhavethoughtaboutalltheseaspects too,buttheflighttestprogrammeistheproof ofthepudding.There'sonlysomuchyoucan determinefromdrawingsandphotographs,or fromlooldngatsomethingwithbothfeetonthe ground.It'slikelytobethepilotwhowillspot thatwiththenewprimerlocatedasitisyou needthreehandstostarttheengine,orthatthe fancywood-veneerinstrumentpanelthrows ashimmeringcurtainofreflectionsontothe windscreenthatblocksallforwardviewwhen thesun'satcertainangles,TimeandagainI've comeacrossdinkylittlePTTbuttonsmounted onsticktops,whicharefineuntilyoucarry outa'fullandfree'checkwhenyoufindthat thebuttonhitsthebottomoftheinstrument panelbeforeyoureach'fullforward',orthat thebuttonhittingtheglassfaceoftheASInow constitutestheelevatordownstop. Howevermuchplanninggoesintoatest programme,it'simportanttokeepflexible andbepreparedtoadapttheprogrammeas itdevelops,anddevotemoretimetooddball featuresthatcropup.•

Earlymodelsoftheseeminglyinnocentlooking Kitfoxhadsomeinterestinghandlingtraitsdue tolargeamountsofadverseyawandthethen quitenewpeakytwo-strokeengines

Tel:01926614422

www,cosmikavtabon.cauk

Email:salesikosmikaviation.co.uk

ik

excellenthandling,easytofly largecabin(43),adjustableseals verylargebaggagearea Heaiaircraftforshedgrassstrips fulldualcontrols.manualHaps veryrobusttube&fabricairborne Forallenquiriescontact: Lambert AircraftEngineertng 133333,5g1.13e441(4em4.4fiela 3-8,1333We/5'53m es1_41HAI

E.53411infc@laniuertaircrailcoin rel4,132)56431326

>FLIGHTTEST

atabout7ft6intothetopofthesubstantialfin. ThegreatermajorityofBulldogswerebuilt astwo-seaters,althoughathird'observer's' seatwasalsoanoption.TheBulldogcould alsocarryweapons,whichincludedtwo28117 bombsand14unguided68mmrocketsorfour 7.62mmmachineguns,withoptionsforguided andheaviermissilesystems.

Acivilianfollow-ontotheBulldogwas alsodeveloped,calledtheBullfinch;itwas largeragain,hadfourseatsandaretractable undercarriage.Sadlythough,onlyasingle examplewasbuilt,andwithnofurtherorders, productionneverwentahead.However,it remainsairworthyontheUKregister.

Thereasonforwritingthisarticleisto chroniclethelatestchapterinthelifeofthis trulyBritishBulldog.Afteranomadicexistence, theBulldogbecametheresponsibilityofBritish Aerospace(BAe),aspartoftheteamsupporting theVCioandNimrod.OncetheRAFdisposedof theBulldogandtheRAFscaled-backitsother aircraftfleets(notablycancellingtheNimrod MR4in2mo),thescaleofbusinesswasnot sufficienttowarrantanyfurtherinvestment, andovertheyearsresponsibilitypassedto asmallcompanybasedatDuxfordcalledde HavillandSupportLtdiDHSL).Althoughaspart ofthetransferdealBAecontinuedtoprovide fundingoverthepastdecade,finandalsupport isaboutceaseandasaresultDEISLhasdedded togiveuptheTypeCertificatefortheBulldog andreplaceitwithaTypeResponsibility Agreementwhichmeansthatownerswill havetheoptionofremainingonaCofAwith continuedairworthinessmanagedbyDHSL,or transferringtoaPennittoFly.Thereistherefore alikelihoodthatwewillseeanumberofthe typetransferringtoanLAAPermit

PanelinG-BULLhasbeenmodified overtheyearsandisnowquite modernandcomprehensive

Itsadull,greydaywhenImeetatKemble withEdFlicksourphotographer,andChris Puddy,hiscamera-shippilotfromtheCotswold FlyingClub.AlsopresentisRogerMillouni whohadmanagedtoconvincetheownerthat lendingushisBulldogforthephotoshootwas agoodidea!Wediscusstheweather,which isappalling,anddecidetodelaytheair-to-air untilthefollowingdaywhentheforecastslook considerablybetter.Wealsodiscussbackdrops anddecideononeofthemanywhitehorses aroundSalisburyPlainiftheweatherisOK, orupovertheRiverSevernifit'snotWerun throughtheformationbriefwithChris(Chris willbethelead-ship),andhowwe'regoing tomanagetheshootUltimately,itallboils downtoEdgesturingtousthroughtheopen window-allverysophisticated!Rogerwill managetheformationflying,givenhisvast experienceinthematter,butI'llbedoingmost oftheevaluationflying,andit'llbenicetoget airborneagain.

ThisparticularBulldog,G-BULL,isownedby Nid<Sills,along-rimeLAAmember,whohas alsorecentlytakenaninterestinRogerTarget's electricracer,ofwhichwehopetohearand seemoreinthefuture.NickkeepsG-BULLat ChadtonPark,anditwasherethatwemetWe rolledbackthehangardoors,andIrealisedthat we'dmetbefore,asG-BULLstillworethelivery oftheRoyalHongKongAuxiliaryAirForce. SheisoneofonlytwoBulldogModel1285once operatedbythe'Auxies'astheywereknown, andwefirstmetduringapostimgtoHong Konginthemid-Bos.TryasImightthough,I neverdidgettoflytheHongKongBulldogssomethingtodowithrules,bureaucracyand redtape...Nevermind,becausetodayitwas goingtohappen;wedecidethatalthoughthe

photoshootwillbetomorrow,it'sactuallygood enoughtofly,soweplanaflighttoTurweston andback,whichwillallowacomparison betweengrassandconcreterunways,and alsoanappraisalofitshandlingqualitiesas atouringaircraftfordespitethefactthatthe Bulldogisanex-militarytrainer,shehasa voluminousareabehindthepilotseats,large enoughforagoodfewbagsuptoatotaliookg inweight

AWASHWITHINSTRUMENTS

WepushedG-BULLintotheweaksunlight andpreppedherforflight;thefirstthingyou noticeisthatsheisasubstantialaeroplane. Myfirstimpressionsonflyingherbackedup thatview:solid,eagerandresponsive.We'll returntothesequalitieslater,buttimetodothe DI,theDailyInspection,whichfollowstypical lightaircraftpractice.Thetrailing-edgesitsa goodcoupleoffeetofftheground,andisabit ofaclamber;withthecanopyclosedthereis noeasyhandholdsoit'sbesttokneelonthe walkwayandthenclimbup.Thelargebubble canopyisopenedviaalollipop-shaped(and sized)leveronthetop,andthenslidback.

TheinsideofthisparticularmarkofBulldog isawashwithinstruments(comparedtothe relativelysparseRAFversion),andwehunt outthemasterswitch,whichisfoundonthe centreconsol,justforwardofthesubstantial throttlequadrantIthenseekouttheswitches fortheexternallights:nay,landing,taxying, strobe,pitotheaterandstall-warner,clamber offthewingandcheckthey'realllit,warming orbeeping.ClamberingupagainIswitch everythingoff,checkthekeyisoutthendrop backdowntocompletetheDI,startingfromthe portwing-root

Thesimpleflapshavecorrugationsevery sixinchesorso;theyareelectricallydriven andwecheckthehingesandconnectionsallverysolid,asaretheaileronsonthe beautifullytaperedwing.Downtheleadingedge,checkingthewingrefuellingpoints (eachholds'nit),downundertothevery solidmainundercarriage,andthesteerable nosewheel.UnderthebonnetisaLycoming I0-36o-A1B6producingzoolip,whichdrivesa bhaindiametertwo-bladedHartzellconstantspeedpropeller.

Theoilcanbecheckedviathetraditional starboard-sidepanel,ortoviewmoreof theenginethewholeuppercowlingcanbe removedinjusttwominutes.Theexcellent buildqualityisevidenteverywhere;itissolid, wellfinishedandneatlyputtogether,no mismatchedpanelsorflimsyworktobeseen. Alliswell,soweclimbin,havingstrappedona parachutefirst.

Inside,everythingispaintedmilitarygrey, andeverythingissolid.Thefive-pointharness keepsyoufirmlyinyourplace,andwiththe pre-startcheckscompletewefireupthe Lycoming,andwithverylittlefussshestarts andsettlesintoasteady,comfortingbeatOnce theTsaPsareinlimits,wetaxiaway,first releasingthesturdyT-barparkbrake(pressthe toe-brakesandtwistthehandleclockwisefor brakes'on'andagainpressthetoe-brakesand turnthehandleanticlockwiseMr'off').Braking ispositive,asisthelinkednosewheelsteering, andtheviewthroughthecanopyoverthe closely-cowlednoseisexceptional.

Itaxiouttotherunwaythresholdandrun throughthepowerchecksand,asit'sthefirst flightoftheday,weexercisetheconstantspeedunitthreetimestocheckalliswell.We

runthroughthepre-take-offchecks,notingthe ruddertrim(unusualforalightsingle)issetto twounitsright(talkingabouttrim-theelevator trimtabisonthestarboardside,andcan'tbe seenfromtheleft-handseat-mustensurethat thetrimischeckedduringtheexternals)andI completethechecks.Aquicklistenonnearby Kemble'sradio,informthemthatwe'reabout totake-off,aquickvisualcheckaboveand behind,andwe'reoftTheengineroarstofull powerandwestarttoaccelerateacrossthe wetgrass.

GOODNUMBERS

TheCAA'shandy SafetysenseLeofiet07: AeroplanePerformance willtellyouthata wetgrassrunwaywillextendthefake-offrun byabout200/0soweassessthedistanceto compareagainstatarmacrunwaylateron. Accelerationisbriskthoughandwerotate at55kt,holdherdownuntil65,andthen dimbawayat80.Theinitialrateofclimbis veryacceptableatabouttaoofpm,andwe're quicklyuptoL000ftandenroutetoTurweston. Wesetheading,doallthenecessarychecks andsettledowninthecruise,bringingthe mixturecontrolbackto15psi,whichshould giveusafuelflowoflessthanzoltperhour,arid aftersettingazinand2,400rpmwe'recruising ataveryrespectableiaold-agoodnumber asit'stwonmperminute-somucheasierfor guesstimatingETAs.Maxlevelcruiseisixold, 75%powergivesia5kt,andeconomicalcruiseis lint.Whilsttalkingnumbers,Vneis18okt,and theairframeisclearedto+6/-3gati,m5kg.

WeclimbupoverKembleandheadNNE towardsBanbury,reachingourturningpoint aftersomeaomin,thenarightturntoBrackley andIcallupTurwestonandinformthatwe're

inbound,andcouldwedoarun-in-and-break please,towhichtheyagree.Wethensetupa 65ktapproachandlandsmoothlyandsafelyon Turweston'shardrunway.Itwillbeinteresting toseehowthetake-offcomparestothewet grassearlier.

ThereisanopportunityfortheLAA EngineeringTeamtohaveagoodlookoverits newstablernate,andit'snotlongbeforethe cowlingisoffandtheengineersarepoking aroundtheengine.Timenowtoreturnto CharltonParkandwetakeonOtItoffuel,which givesusnearonthree-quartertanks.ThetakeoffonTurweston'sconcreterunwaywasbrisk, andcertainlytheaccelerationwasbetter.Itis oneofthosethingsweneedtoremember,that therunwaycharacteristics-surface,slope,wet ordry,willmakeadifferencetoourtake-off performanceandbecausewegotoffinzoo yardsatoneplacedoesn'tmeanitwillbezoo yardsallthetime.

Weretraceourroutethroughsomepretty murkyskiesbutthereturnflightreinforcesmy viewthatthisisagoodcross-countrytourer, comfortable,stableandwithplentybaggage capacity.Aswepushtheaircraftbackintoher hangarIthinkabouttomorrow'ssortie,and hopetheweathergodswillsmileonus.

Saturdaymorninglooksmuchbetter,andwe agreethatwewillflythephoto-shoot,which willbemyfirst,althoughasmentionedearlier, Rogerwillbedoingtheformationflyingonto thecameraship.IliftofffromCharltonPark a[1200asagreedandclimbtojointhecamera shipalreadycirclingoverMalmesbury.We'd briefedanechelonportsortie,andRoger gentlytucksusinundertheCessna'sportwing, pointingouttomethatheistryingtokeepthe leadingtipoftheportelevatoroverthefirst'C' intheregistration.FormatingintheBulldog isrelativelyeasytodo,buthardtodowellitkeepsyouonyourtoes.Withthedghthand onthethrottleandyourpalmconveniently restingonthetrimwheel,youcanmakethe sinallpowerandtrimadjustmentswithout yourhandleavingthethrottle.Flyingthisclose toanotheraircrafttakesgreatskillandcare, butitisalsoextremelyexhilarating,andImake amentalnotetoaddformationflyingtomy wishlist

Edtakesusthroughtheshoot,andweweave, climbandbreakathishandsignals,andaftera briefaominEdishappywiththeshotsandwe breakofttogettothemeatofthesortie-the handling.Finepitchandfull-powerputsusina climbupto6,000ftforsomegeneralhandling, startingwithtrimsleftandright.Istartwith steadyrateoneturns,graduallyincreasingthe angleofbankuntilareflyinggoodsolidsteep turns,thenincreasethebankfurtherandease onalittleguntilwe'reintomaxratetunis.This isaneffortlessexerciseandthehandlingis impeccable,withalmostperfectlyharmonised ailerons,aridwithagentleleadtherudder keepsusperfectlyinbalance.Theruddertrim allowsforcompletelybalanced'feetoff'flight throughoutthespeedrange.

FASTBUTNOTVIOLENT

Next,stallingandspinning,andwestartwith flaplessandapproachstalls,andsetupfor theformer.We'vedoneourHASELLchecks andwe'reseeminglyaloneuphere;apart fromaSenecathatATCadvisedwasclimbing throughourearlierlevelduringthephotoshoot,theradioisremarkablyquiet.Ithrottle backandstarttoraisethenose,noting thattheaileronsremainveryeffective

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throughoutThestall-warnergivesabout8 tonktwarningoftheimpendingstall,and startswailingatabout65kt,andat531dwe enteranunremarkablestall,fromwhichwe recoverusingthestandardtechniqueandwith littlefussorheightloss.Thereare,sofar,no surpriseswiththeBulldog.

Isetupforthefull-flapstall,checkthespeed isbelowthe135ktflap-limitingspeedandselect 'Inter'onthesturdyflap-selectortotherearof thecentreconsokthisgiveszo°andatlooktthe secondstage(thereareonlytwo,andthey're pre-setnotches)takesthemto45°.Again, powerback,easethenoseupandwaitThe stall-warnerwarblesagainat651<1,andthefull stalloccursatabout501d.Nothingdramatic, aslightwing-drop,easilycorrectedwitha squeezeofrudder.

Nowit'stimetospintheBulldog.Irefreshthe HASELLchecksandwe'restillallquietbelow, aboveandbehind.We'reabovefouroktas cloud,withplentyofgreenvisiblebelow,and notingthatwe'rejustsouthoftheSevernIcan clearlyseetheSevernBridge.Aclearingturn andpowerbacktothestall,thewarnergoesoff Iwaittoslowafewmoreknotsthenstickfully aft,fullleftrudderandwewhipintoaspin-fast butnotviolentIcountthreeturnsthenrecover usingthestandardtechnique:checkthe throttleisclosed,checkthedirectionofturn, easethestickforwardtounstallthewings, andapplyfulloppositerudder.Ifanything, therecoveryismoreabruptthantheentry, andit'salsointerestingthatoncethewingis unstalled,therateofrotationincreasesslightly. Allentirelypredictablethough,ifyouusethe correcttechnique,butwhataboutrecovery fromtheincipientspin?Again,uptothestall, andfullpro-spincontrols,onlybeforeweenter thefullrotationIcentraliseallthecontrols,and itallstops.Albeitwe'renowinvertedwithzoo° ofbankandpitching30°nosedown,butweare stillflyingandrecoveryisasforaUP-unusual position-wingslevelandeaseoutofthedive.

We'veestablishedthattheBulldoghas beautifullyharmonisedcontrolsandagood rateofroll,thatshewillturnonrails,andthat thestallandspinareentirelypredictable.Now forsomeaeros,andinterestinglytheentry speedsareverysimilartotheChipmunkIflew backinFebruary.Istartwithasimpleaileron roll,withnokt,feettothehorizonandfullleft aileron,andwe'reroundquicldyandsmoothly.

THEBEAGLEPUP&

BULLDOGCLUBwas formedin1983bya groupofBeaglePup ownersatElstreewho wereconcernedabout thefuturemaintenance oftheiraircraftfollowing thedemiseofBeagleAircraftoveradecadeearlier. ThoughtheBulldoghadnotatthattimebeen releasedfrommilitaryservice,itwasincorporated withintheClubrules,asitwasevidentthat theaircraftwouldbecomeaciviliantypeinthe foreseeablefuture.Today,mostofthemilitary Bulldogshaveindeedpassedintocivilian ownershipwithonlyahandfulstillbeingusedin MaltaandJordan.

Nowtotherightandonceagainwe'rearound withnoeffort

Nextisthebarrelroll,whichIthinkofas arollingloop.It'sveryeasytogettheright amountofpullbuttoolittleroll,andthefirst attemptisjustthat-itfeltuntidyinside, let'shopetherewasn'tanaudienceoutside. Tryagain-nokt,pullupandgentleand progressiveleftaileronwhilekeepingtheback pressureon,andthistimeitworksnicely.

Wefinishwithaclassicloop:13oktagain,pull uptoabout3.5to4g,pullingbackonthestick aswereachtheapogee,checkwings-level, relaxaswecomedowntheverticalanda littlebackpressureaswebottomoutAllvery straightforwardandenjoyable,butalltoosoon it'stimetoheadhome.Wecheckthefueland noteaslightimbalancehascreptinthroughthe manoeuvring,soIsetthethree-positionfuel selectortothetightlfullest)tank,andmakea notetocheckitatthenext FREDAcheck.

BRITISHWORKMANSHIP

WestartourrecoverytoCharltonParkanda chancetoenjoyalow-power,gentledescent Thisreallyisabeautifulaeroplanetofly.We joinoverheadtoslotintothecircuitforthe south-westerlygrassstrip.Theengineisset upwithfinepitchandfully-rich,thefuelback tobothandpumpon,Toavoidsomeofthe smallervillages,weflyagently-banked,curved finalat65ktandtouchdownonthegrass afterour55minsortie.Duringtheflightthere werenosignificantcrosswinds,butifthere hadbeen,it'scomfortingtoknowthatthe Bulldogsportsademonstrated35ktcrosswind capability-yes,thatisright35kt!

SohowwouldIsummarisetheBulldog, classifiedbysomeasawarbirdbecauseofits militaryheritage.Well,Istartedbydescribing herassolid,eagerandresponsive,andsheisall ofthese.Thebuildqualityisexcellent-some mightsaygoodsolidBritishworkmanship, othersperhapsover-engineered,butsheis undeniablywellputtogether.

Shefeelsasthoughshewouldlookafter you,withasturdyfive-pointharness,asolid structureaboutyou,andfabulousvisibility.The airisherelementandsheiseagertobethere; somehowtheBulldogdoesn'tfeellikeapiston aircraft,withagoodsteady,smooth,comforting roarsheflieslikeasmalljet,particularlywhen doingno+knotsonacross-country..•

I

Theclubfulfilsthejointrolesofasocialgroup organisingfiy-outs,fly-insandsocialevents,plus anengineeringroleasprovidersofmostofthe manualsandtechnicalliteraturemembersmight

require,andactingasaco-ordinatorbetween the ownersanddeHavillandSupportLtd,holdersofthe TypeResponsibilityAgreement(TRA)followingthe relinquishingoftheTypeCertificateinearlyApril.

RogerHayesisChairmanoftheClubandcomments thatthegeneralcultureofownersoftheBulldog isfortheaircrafttoremainaveryusefulaerobatic trainer,stableIMCplatformandcapabletouring aircraft,forwhichtheyseetheCofAasapreferred optiontoaPermittoFly.TheClubhasmetwithDH5L andawaitsaresponsetocorrespondenceconcerning thecostformemberswishingtoremainonCofA undertheTRA.

Rogeralsoruns*sportUK,aflighttraining establishmentofferingBeaglePupandBulldogtype conversionandadvancedtraining,includingthe RoyalAeroClubRRRAAirRaceTrainingCourseand formationflying.

Forfurtherinformationsee wwwbeoglepupandbulidogclub.co.ukand http://ds.dialpipex.com/skysport

>FLIGHTTEST

Sheisstableenoughtomakenavigationeasy, butagileenoughforsomeeffectiveaerosas well.AtaburnrateofaboutGolitresperhour sheisperhapsalittlethirsty,butsoisaVan's RV-8withzoohp,albeitsomewhatfaster. Andofcourse,withtheoptiontooperatethe BulldogonaPermit,shestartstolookavery attractiveproposition.

IlookforwardtoflyingtheBulldogagain,and asoftenaspossible.Mythankstothecrew: Nick,Roger,EdandChrisformakingthismost enjoyableofevaluationspossible.Oh,andalso theweathergodsforeventuallyshiningonus.•

THEBULLDOGISagreatBritishaircraft, renownedforitstoughstanceandservice trainerconnotations-thelastofalonglineof outstandingtrainersbuiltfortheRAF.Therecent developmentsatdeHavillandSupportLtd, whichhaveopenedthepossibilityofaPermit toFlybeingissuedtotheseaircraft,havehada mixedreception.Despitethepromiseofreduced certificationcosts,ownersofmanyofthecivilregisteredBulldogsareunderstandablycautious abouttheimplicationsofashiftfromaCertificate ofAirworthinesstoaPermittoFly-howwillit affecttheiroperationsand,ultimately,themarket valueoftheaircraft?

Forsome,theneedtoseekpermissionbefore flyingabroadisintolerablewhile,forothers,the possibilityofgettingmodificationsandalternative partsapprovedmoreeasilyandmorecheaply thanthroughtheCMprocessisparamount. No-onelikesthethoughtoftheiraircraftbeing AircraftonGround(AOG)foryearsforthewant ofanunobtainableoriginalpart,orbeingheld toransomforthecostofareplacementwhen hornebuildercataloguesofferviablealternatives.

Intheend,'yerpaysyourmoneyandtakesyer choice'-anditwillbeinterestingtoseehow manychoosetheLMroutewhenthethree-year CofAcomeupforrenewalonthe61Bulldogsin theUKfleet.

WITHAPERMITTOFLYBULLDOGYOUCAN:

IFlyaerobaticsandairracing

Performinairdisplays

TourfreelywithinFranceandIreland (28-dayrule)

UseaspecialVFRclearance 'Owntheaircraftinagrouporsyndicateofup to20members

Ownerorimmediatefamilycanreceive ahinitiotraining

Ownerorgroupownercanreceivecontinuation training

DoyourBFRflight,eitherwithaninstructoror anLAAcoach

MaintainyourownaircraftunderyourLAA inspector'ssupervision,orhaveitmaintained commercially.

BUTYOUCANNOT:

Flyforthepublicatcharityevents

FlyatnightorinIMC(butwe'reworkingonit)

Dopaidaerialworkorpublictransport

FlyinallEUStateswithoutfirstgetting permission(we'reworkingonthattoo!)

Usemogas

Groupownerscan'treceiveabinitiotraining Installmodificationswithoutapprovalfrom LAAEngineering

Ignoreairworthinessdirectivesorlifelimitson criticalparts

Operatetheaircraftwithoutinsuranceorinan un-airworthycondition

PERFORMANCE

Maxspeed:130kt(241mph)

Cruisespeed:125kt(144mph)

Stallspeed:54kt(62mph)

Vne:210kt(241mph)

Range:64onm(621m)

Rateofclimb:1,034(pm(5.25m/s)

Serviceceiling:16,000ft(4,875m)

DIMENSIONS/WEIGHTS

Wingspan:33ft(10.06m)

Length:23ft3in(7.08rn)

Height:7ft6in(2.28m)

14fingArea:129.4sq.ft(12.02sq.m)

Emptyweight:1,420lb(644kg)

mauw:2,350lb(1,066kg)

Fuelcapacity:32impgal(145ft)

Engine1x200hpLycomingI0-360-A1B6

CONTACTwww.dhsupportcom

>AEROFRIEDRICHSHAFEN

Thisyearsawthe20thAEFIO Friedrichshafen,anevent thatstartedin1977asaglider exhibitionwithjustizjexhibitors. Theshowranbienniallyformanyyearsand onceultralightsandthenbusinessaviation wereaddedtotheline-upitgrewmassively inpopularity.Theeventwentannualin 2009andisnowfirmlyestablishedasthe majorGAexhibitioninEurope.

WhileNigelhasbeenaregular, visitor, indeedhehasreportedontheeventfor themagazineforseveralyears,thiswasmy firstvisit,duemainlytoitsclosetimingto Sun'nFun.Thoughtherewasasmattering ofBritishvisitors,therewerenotasninny asIwouldhavethoughteventhough,asI discovered,itreallyisarelativelyatfordable eventtoattend.IflewintoMemmingen, aregionalairfieldaboutziomilesfrom Friedrichshafen,courtesyofRyanairfora returnfareofjustE76.HirecarsinHernia% areratherexpensive,forthreepeopleit costusaboE8oeachforfivedays,and wehotelledatWiengarten,sevenmilesout fromFHinasharedfamilyroomforE30each pernight.AdMissiontotheshowisonly €12 perday,freeifyouareanFAAmember.The datesfornextyear'sshowareApril24-27.

Iwasnottobedisappointedonarrival atAERO;indeedIwasabsolutelyinawe ofthequalityandsizeoftheshow.Think MotorShowqualityandsubstiniteaircraft; thestandardandnuotherofexhibitor standsIthisyeararound5001outstripsany otherinsideeventIhaveeverattended byacountrymile.Setinapurpose-built exhibitioncentrewithplentyofnatural light, 12 hailsandexcellentcatering,press andseminarfacilities,alllinkedbyan internalcorridor,andittakessomebeating. Wevisitedtheshowforthreedaysandhad plentytosee,and I cameawaycheeredby thehealthandfortitudeofthelightaviation sector.Clearlynotallofthecompanies presentweresellingaircraftinanygreat numbers,Idoubtsonicaresellinganyatall, buttheenthusiasmandoptimismistangible. Thisindustryisdrivenbytheheart,witha loveandpassionforflyingthattranscends soundbusinessreasoning.Theworldwide autoindusnyhasreducedtoahandfulof majormanufacturers,even 20 yearsago thereweresignificantlymoremarques, coyearsagomanymorestill,butthebean countershaveseenanendtomuchofthat individitaMy.Thataviationyetretainsso manymanufacturerswarmsmyheart,sonie niaywellnotsurvivebutrgherswilltakeup thechallengeintheirplaceandbringyet anothernewdreamtotheparty-longmay thatprovetobethecase.Here'sjustasmall selectionofexhibitsIhatcaughtoureyes.•

AnItaliandesign,theOmaSudRedbirdisa carbon-fibretwo-seaterpoweredbyaRotax912 ULswithatwo-bladeMTelectrically-controlled propeller.Witha600kgmtowfortheCS-ISA version(472.5fortheULversion),ithasacruise speedof120ktandstallspeedof42kt(35ktfor theLIL).Take-off andlandingground-runare 150m(100mfortheUL).Ithasalargewide canopyforeaseofentryandacomfyrideand fixedlanding-gear. www.omasudit as

TheMWFly822isapurposedesignedandbuiltaero enginefromItalian companyMetalWork. Availablein95hp,115hp and130hpversions,the engineisanECU-controlled, water-cooled,flat-fourOHC unitof2,201cc,producingitspower at3,300rpm,3,950rpmand4,55Orpm respectively.Propellerspeedisgovernedbyageared reductionunit,anddryweightis79kg.Workontheengine startedin2003andfollowingflight-testingitisundergoingFAR33andEASACS-Eapprovals. www.metal-wortit

Above:theGaliciaFreedom5100isanallcomposite,two-seat,side-by-side,100hpRotax 912UL5poweredAmphibian.ItisbuiltinSpain andisadevelopmentofthepreviousGannet5100 amphibianandthesimilarMartin3landplane.It isS-LSAcertifiedforanEASAPermittoFly.Empty weightis380kgwithanmtowof650kggiving a270kgpayload.Cruisespeedis190kmhand stallspeed70kmhwithatake-offrunof120mon landand150monwater.Therangeisgivenasan impressive1,500km,butthisiswithtwoextra 50-litrewing-tanks,whichwouldeffectivelymake itasingle-seatertousethatrange. www.galkiavionica.com it

E reDSe sprit

JMB AircraftisaBelgiancompanythatownsanairfieldwithaRightschool andmaintenanceandrepairfacility,andhassoldover60VL-3Evolutions inFranceandBelgiuminrecentyears.Itisnowthenewcompanybehind theVL-3,whichwasdesignedbyVanessaAirandproducedbyAveko. Over100VL-3havebeenbuiltandtheyholdanumberofrecordsasthe world'sfastestultralightaircraftwithastraightlinerecordof274kmh. The'normal'cruisespeedisamorerealistic180kmh,whichproducesa verylowfuelconsumptionofonlysevenlitres/hr.Stallspeedis55kmhand approachspeedof75-85kmhwith55°flapsgivingalandingdistanceof lessthan100m.Ofcompositeconstructionwithretractableorfixed-gear, itispoweredbytheubiquitousRotax912UL5. www.imbaircroftcom

Aero-ServiceisaPolish companythathasbeen operatingsince1999.The Pandaisanewdesign ultralight,two-seat,side-byside,all-metal,cantilever high-wingaircraftwitha tail.ItispoweredbyaRotax 912andemptyweightis270kg, givingapayloadof202.5kg, whichisquitegoodcompared tomanyultralights.Stallspeed is62kmhandcruisespeed 220kmh.Themanufacturer saysthatthetake-offand landingperformanceisasgood asaZenair701,soexpectsome goodSTOLperformance.First flightoftheprototype wasMarch2012. www.aero-service.com

ThattheF30fromGoldenAvioexhibitsthatclassicItalianlineisbecauseitwasdesignedbynone otherthanStelioFrati,designeroftheFalco.Althoughtoutedasa472.5kgultralight,ithasa robustnessthatmakesyouwonder,asmanyofushavesurelydoneinthepast,whetherEUkilos aresomewhatheavierthanthoseintheUK!Claimedemptyweightis289kg,leavingjust183.5kg (404lb)ofusefulload.75%cruiseisquotedat108ktforthisall-metalbeauty,aretractable-gear versionbeingquotedat119kt.Priceofthefixed-gear,ready-to-fly:around€90Kplustax. www.F30fly.com

Itisalwaysnicetoseesome representationfromtheUKatforeign eventsandAndair,Airbox,SkyDemon andTrigwereamongourcontingent thisyear.Thelatterwasshowing itsnew8.33channeltransceiver, 'availableastheTY9112V6W,which CwillinterestthetypicalLAAaircraft ownerandcostsaround€1,250. +Italsocomesasaconsiderably moreexpensive24V1Y92with 16Woutput.Thepanel-mounted controlunitisonly35mmdeep (75mmwith0-Typeconnecter attached)andtheactualradio ,unitismountedremotely,useful wherespacebehindthepanelis restrictedoratapremium. www.trig-avionics.com

TheFunkF12Cometbiplane hasbeenaroundforseveral yearsnowbutstilllooksfreshandfuntofly.Itis theonlyLightSportbiplaneinseriesproduction; ready-to-flypricesstartfrom€75kwiththe9125. Wingsfoldandavarietyofvariationsapply,from opencockpitstobubblecanopyandsinglerear bubblewithclosed-overfront.Cruiseis185kmh andtheallimportantstressfiguresareavery capable+14/-7gultimateat450kg. www.fielightplanes.comto.

Thej4SanFrancescoisanewdesignbyOrlandolannottawhohas designedtwoearlierultralightsofthesamename,thefirstwaybackin 1966.Constructionisofasteeltubefuselagecagematedtoanaluminium rearfuselageandwing.PowerisRotax912UL5.Withtwoseatsside-byside,itisdesignedwitha600kgmtow.Stallspeedis60kmhandcruise speed200kmh.Take-offdistancequotedas100m. www.airmak.it

ContinentalMotorswas showingtheproduction versionofitslongawaited230hpTD300 engine.Aturbocharged diesel,itisadirect drive304cu.inunitwith adryweightof450113, that'saround70/80Ib heavierthanitsequivalent petrolenginewhenfittedinto somethinglikeaC182,though at25%betterfuelefficiency thatincreaseisoutweighedby reducedfuelloadrequirements.

FADEC-equippedwithmechanicalback-up, theunitisplannedforproductionearly2013atacost of$90k. www.continentalmotorssero

TheFlyWhaleisanall-newdesign,light,compositeamphibianpoweredby a100hpRotax912ULS.Itoffersseatingfortwoandevenroomtosleepin thefuselageintheAdventureversion.Ithasanemptyweightof315kgand mtowof517.5kgmcIBRS.Cruisespeedis200kmhandstall65kmh.Inthe Expeditionmodel,170litresoffuelcanbecarriedgiving10hoursrangefor onepassenger.Theretractablegearallowslandingonwheelsandwiththe gearretractedonbothwaterandsnow.Firstflightisexpectedthissummer. wwwilywhate.de

HungariancompanyCorvushasproducedseverallightaircraftdesigns includingtheCorroneandthePhantom,althoughneitherappearonits currentwebsiteasthisisanewCorvuscompany,theprevioushavingceased trading.Thislatestdesignistheall-compositeFusion,whichitismarketing asa'Racesportaircraft'.Ithasaerobaticcapabilitywithlimitloadsof+6/-3g andultimateload+11.31-5.6g.Severalenginesareofferedbutthemain productionengineisthe107hpULpower260iSA.Ithasaquotedmaxspeed of157ktandastallspeedof35kt,take-offdistance100-120m,landing roll150-180m.TheprototypewasrolledoutinItalysixmonthsagoand productionhasnowstartedinHungary.Themanufacturerhasanagreement withaChinesecompanytoproducecompositeparts,andeventuallythe entireaircraft. www.corvus-hungary.com

IfjustoneaircraftcapturedtheimaginationattheshowitwasthePantherafromPipistrel.Everybodyseemedtobetalkingaboutit.Designedasagoplaces,efficientfour-seater,ithasaprojectedfuelburnof10gallonsat200ktandarangeinexcessof1,000nm.Powerisprovidedbya210hpLycoming 10-390,thoughhybridandpureelectricversionsareplanned.Comingfromacompanywithatrackrecordinrecord-breakingaircraftandworld-leading electricpowersystems,thisisonedreammachinethatmaywellmeetexpectations.Productionisplannedfor2013andthepistonversionwillcostinthe regionofE250k. wwwpipistretsi

>QUEENBEE

>QUEENBEE

There'sanoldsaying,'Ifitlooks likeaduckandquackslikea duckthenitmustbeaduck.'

Generally,that'ssoundadvice. ButinthecaseofthedeHavillandQueen Bee,thisisnotstrictlytrue.Itlookslike aTigerMothandithasthatfantastic atmosphericsmell(pong?)ofoldleather andoil.However,despitetheremarkable similarity(itswingsarefromaTigerMoth), itsfuselageisactuallyderivedfromthede HavillandMothMajor.Itisoftensaidthat theQueenBeeisamodifiedTigerMoth butgiventheoriginsofthefuselage(the mostsignificantcomponent),Ipersonally thinkitismoreaccuratetodescribeitasa modifiedMothMajor.

ThedeHavillandDH.82I3QueenBeewasa remote-controlledtargetdrone.Today,we mightcallitanunmannedaerialvehicle(UAV). Theywerefirstproducedin1935,inresponse toanAirMinistryrequestforaninexpensive, expendable(butreusable)radio-controlled targetdroneforanti-aircraftgunnerypractice. Theywerebuiltintheirhundredsand productioncontinuedthroughoutthesecond worldwar.Themostcommonvariantwasthe ship-launchedfloatplane-Iassumethefloat variantwasmorecommonbecauseitwas easiertolandonalargeunobstructedexpanse ofwater.

Theworld'sonlysurvivingairworthyQueen Bee,LF858(constructionNo.1435),isnowon thecivilregisterasG-BLUZandisbasedatRAF Henlow.Since1995ithasbeenownedand operatedbyasix-mansyndicateknown as'TheBeekeepers'flyinggroup.LF858 isnohangarqueenandcanregularly beseenoutandabout.Sheisoperated onaIAAPermittoFly,whichenables allhermaintenancetobecarried outbyherowners.Forthepastfive years,allairworthinessinspections havebeencarriedoutbyalocalLAA inspectorwho,incidentally,hasnot yethadagoinit(that'sahint,guys)! Schoolvisitsareacommon eventattheHenlowaircraft hangarand,quitedeliberately, theQueenBeeisoftenmadeone ofthecentrepiecesofthevisitThe childreninvariablyidentifywith radio-controlledmodelsandmanyof themhavealreadyheardofthePredator andGlobalHawkUAVs.

Partoftheschools'learningexperience involvesagamecalled'CounttheTiger Moths'.It'saprettyunfairexercise.Evenfrom afewfeet,itisquitedifficulttodistinguish LF858fromwhatisquitepossiblythefinest collectionofairworthyTigerMothsanywhere Visually,amainidentifyingfeatureisthe QueenBeefueltank,whichhasabigger bellythanthatfittedtotheTigerMoth.And, ofcourse,asaQueenBee,itisalsohardto identifyastheradioandancillaryequipment haslongsincebeenremovedwhenLF858was convertedintoatwo-seataircraftduringits restorationtoflyingcondition.

Althoughintendedtooperatepilotless, theQueenBeehadacockpitandafullset ofmanualflyingcontrolsforferryandtest purposesbutlikemanyverysimpleremotecontrolledmodelaircraft,underradiocontrol theQueenBee'sflyingcontrolswererestricted totherudderandelevatoronly(theailerons werephysicallylockedinaneutralposition). Additionalradiocontrolswerefittedtooperate

theignitionandthrottle.Radiocontrolwas affectedthroughasimplerotarytelephone dial-eachnumberrepresentingaspecific function-lefLright,close/openthrottle,etc. Asimilardialwasalsomountedinthecockpit toenablethetestpilottotestthepilotless function.Thegroundtransmitterwasabout thesizeofatruck!Afterlaunch(byasteam catapultforthefloatversion),radiosignalsfrom thelaunchingsitewouldoperatepneumatic servosinacompartmentbehindthecockpit (thecompartmentisnowtherearcockpiton 15858).Theservosreceivedcompressedair fromasmallramair(wind)turbine(alsoknown asaRAT)poweredpumpmountedontheleft sideofthefuselagejustbehindtheengine.The originalRATmountingbracketsarestillfitted toLF858.

AUTOMATICLANDING

Whenoperatedremotely,acleverautomatic landingsystemwouldsensewhentheaircraft wasnearthesurfaceandallowthecraftto touchdownwithoutanyhumanintervention. Ifradiocontrolwaslost,andtheaircraftwas stillairworthy,itwouldcontinuetoEyuntilit ranoutoffuel.Withoutpoweritwouldglide towardsthesurfaceand,atthecriticalmoment, theautomaticlandingsystemwouldtakeover.

Initsheyday,itwasnotuncommonto discoveranorphanedQueenBee,devoidof fuelbutotherwiseserviceable,quietlybobbing aboutatsea.Appropriatelyequippedships wouldsimplyhaulthecraftaboard,refuelit andsenditoffonitsnextandpossiblyfinal mission.

ItisclaimedthattheQueenBee wasthefirstfull-sizeaircraftoriginallydesigned toflyunmannedandunderradiocontrol.Ithas alsobeensuggestedthattheterm'drone'(asin aircraftdrone)wasrelatedtothedevelopment ofthedeHavillandQueenBee.Personally,I'm notsurethatthelatteristrueasthequeenbee, inrelationtohoneybees,isnotadroneand rarelyleavesthehive.Idigress.

Despitetheinitialglutofpartstobuildthe originalQueenBees,cannibalisationofparts inlateryearswascommonplaceinorder tokeepeachaircraftgoinglongenoughto completeitsfinalmission.RAFHenlowwas activelyinvolvedinrepairingthedrones,only todispatchthemtogunneryrangeswhere theyinvariablymetaviolentifnotspectacular end.AfterWWII,virtuallyalloftheremaining airframeswerebrokenupasscrapandburned atRedhillAerodrome(justnorthofGatwick). Itwasanignominiousendtosomethingthat playedsuchanimportantpartinthewar. Ironically,RAFHenlownowhoststhesole survivingairworthyexampleofaQueenBee; LF858wasbuilt inthelatterpartofthewar,

whichmighthelptoexplainhowitsurvived gunnerypractice.

LF858wasoneofabatchofaround70 machinesmanufacturedintheCityofGlasgow. ScottishAviation(laterresponsibleforthe Bulldogprimarytrainerandassemblyof someJetstreamturbopropaircraft)usedH Monis EtCoLtd,afurnituremanufacturer,as asubcontractortobuildQueenBees.They werebuiltat39WestCampbellStreetinwhat werethepremisesofScottishMotorTraction. HMorrisandCowereactivelyengagedin thewareffortandwerealsoresponsiblefor manufacturingEnfieldRiflebutts,deHavilland Mosquitojettisonablefueltanks,ammunition boxes,stabilisersforbarrageballoonsand QueenBeefloats.TheMorrisFurnitureGroup stillexiststothisday.

AGREATSURVIVOR

LF858sawserviceinWWIIatRAFManorbier, Pembrokeshire(todayknownastheAir DefenceRange,Manorbier),andmostly engagedinHighVelocityMissilefirings.Having miraculouslysurvivedthewar(perhapsthey werebadshotsinWales),LF858changed handsseveraltimesbeforebeinginvolvedina landingaccidentatOldWarden.

Followingtheaccident,itwasstoredbythe ShuttleworthTrustuntil,in1983,itwassoldas justabarefuselagetoBarrieBayesofCranfield. Overthenextfouryearsheundertookafull restorationtoflyingcondition.

Duringtherestoration,therearbay-where theradioequipmentusedtobe-wasfitted outwithasecondsetofflyingcontrols,giving acockpitconfigurationsimilartothatofthe dual-controlTigerMoth.Whatwasoriginally theonlycockpitisnowthefrontcockpitwhere thesecondpilotsits.

LF858isuniquebecauseitwasneverbuilt tolastItsomehowescapedalmostcertain destructionduringandafterthewar,itwas resurrectedmanyyearsafteracrashandin recentyearsithasattainedfameandnotoriety byparticipatingatR.AFFamiliesDays,airshows andeventswithCaptainNeville'sFlyingCircus. Itisnowusedtoentertainandeducate.In anoddway,itsrolehasalsobeenreversedinsteadofbeingatarget,LF858hasbecome abomber-McDougal'sfinestflour,thatis! GoogleCaptainLlevilleorgoto www.captainnevillesflyingcircos.org.ukto seesomesplendidphotosandvideoofflour bombing,balloonburstingandlimboflying. LF858hasbecomeapopularattractionfor enthusiastsandpeoplewhoarecuriousabout thesolesurvivingairworthydeHavilland DH.82BQueenBeeanditsfascinatingstory.•

SAFETYSPOT

WithMalcolmMcBride _Airwor7liinessEngmeer

COCKPITDECISION-MAKINGvREHEARSAL

Malcolmlooksatengineeringfailureswhichrequiredfast decision-makinginthecockpit

What'sthe connectionbetween anthcentury churchorgan,a recorder,aCessnaCitation andme?WhenIaskedthe LAA'sChiefInspectorthis question,heimmediatelysaid, "Hotair!"Well,KenCraigie isprettysmart.Butifyou're interestedinmyownanswer, pleasereadon!

Inaviation,it'sbettertothink throughpossiblefailuremodes whenthepressure'soff,so,if you'restillchewingoverthe abovequestion,letmeputyou outofyourmisery;theanswer is'rehearsal'.

Irealisedthevalueofrehearsal asayoungcadettryingtolearnto flyanaeroplanebut,quiteoften, beingratherslowontheuptake. Iwasprettygoodatthe'poling', itwas'listremembering'that mademelookabitsecond-rate. SoIlearntfairlyquicklythatitwas muchcheapertolearnachecklist, inthebathforexample,rather

thanbeingbellowedatforthings wrongonthedownwindleg! stillrememberthe'drill', anothernameforrehearsal,that onewentthroughstartingthe GipsyMkroboltedintothefront ofatiredlookingdeHavilland Chipmunk.'Fuelon,brakeson, throttleset,magsoff..,thumbs down(tothegroundcrew... thosewerethedays),priming.' Isuppose,intheseslickdays whereit'sconsideredbestnot tobetoodemonstrative,this mightseemover-the-top,butnot goingthroughthecorrectstarting procedurehasjustcostoneLM memberanawfullotofmoney inrepairbills,andthatparticular storycouldhaveendedupalot worsethanitactuallydid.

Icanrememberoneinstructor saying,"Whatareyougoingto dowhentheenginefails?"Being wellrehearsed,inthebath(ifyou remember),Iimmediatelysaid, "Land,straightahead,sir."

"Don'tbeatwitMcBride,there's awoodattheendoftherunway."

HereLAA'erJezCookeformallybriefshisco-pilotbeforeadeparturefrom Turwestonintheprivately-ownedCessnaCitationXLSbizjethefliesinhis dayjob.Jezexplainedthatshouldsomethinggowrongduringtheflightthen theappropriateemergency'drilLs'needtohavebeendiscussedandrehearsed beforehand."Whenthingsgowrong,forexampleanengineoutduringthe take-off,theactionstakentoensurethesafetyofthecrewandpassengers needtobeautomatic,"heexplained."JustbeforeIopenthethrottleonmy LAAMidgetMustangIalwayscallout'eventualities',asitmakesmethink, wherewillIgoiftheenginequits." (Photo:MalcolmMcBride)

( Wasthere?Ihadn'ttakenany notice!SincethosedaysI've alwayssaidtomyselfquietly beforetake-off,'WhatamIgoing todowhentheenginefails?'This little'drill'hassavedmybacona coupleoftimesalready!

"Fuelon-Brakeson-Switches off-Cleartoprime."Itisessential forsafetytogetintothehabitof doingpre-start,orinthiscasepreprime,checks.Notdoingthismay leadtodisasterifyouforgetto dosomething...likeprimingan enginewiththemagswitchesonor pushingthestarterwiththethrottle wideopen.

Butfirst,beforewegetintothe engineeringdepths,letmetieup my'connections'story.Ifyouate aregularreaderofthismonthly safetycolumn,youwillknowthat I'mabitofanamateurmusidan. Mostly,Iplayaltosax,buthave

alwaysdabbledabitwith otherwoodwindinstruments, especiallyoldones.One instrumentI'vealwaysenjoyed playingistherecorder..."What Iwant,"explainedtheVicar,"is foryoutocomeinafterprayers. Iwillgiveyoualittlesign,perhaps araisedeyebrow...itwillsound lovely.Afteroneverse,whichyou canmakelastaslongasyoulike, givethenodtotheorganistand he'llaccompanythecongregation insong."

Ontheduedate,oneSunday morningacoupleofweeksago, Iarrivedearlyandsoughtout theorganisttochatitthrough. He,ithastobesaid,wasrather flustered,butheardmeout "WhatIwilldo,withyour permission,"Iexplained,"isto starttappingtherhythmtwobars beforeyourentry.Wouldyoulike torehearseit?"

Lookingastonished,perhaps thatIshouldfeelthisnecessary forsuchasimplething,he,ina ratherfatherly,round-lippedway replied,"No,no,no!That'llbe fine."Then,turninghisattention tosomestopadjustment, muttered,"Now,where'sthat choirmaster?"

Iwasclearlydismissed. Idulypositionedmyselfout ofharm'swayatthebackofthe churchand,astheservicetracked alongitswell-wornroute,keptmy eyesonthevicar.Soonenough, withtotalsilenceinthechurch, Inoticedthepre-agreed'eyebrow' signalandoffIwentAsitturned out,thevicarwasrightanditdid soundveiyspecial.

Acoupleofbarsbeforethe endofmybitIcaughttheeye oftheorganistwho,intrue organistfashion,raisedboth handsabovethekeyboardin completereadiness.One,two, threeandfour.Poisedhands descending...thisguyknowshis stuff...Istopplaying,hishandshit thekeys.

Whatfollowedwas,well, absolutesilence.Themuttering fromthecongregationstarted justaftertheshuffling;oneortwo enthusiasticsingershadstarted, anticipating,butnotreceiving, backing-butthesongdiminished tothespokenword.Theorganist's faceslowlystartedchanging colourashe,andeverybodyelse, realisedhe'dforgottentoturnthe organbloweron!

Youmightimaginethesceneas thehovercraft-likeblowermotor broughtthehugeinstrument hacktolife,tmadeaswiftexitas quietlyapossibleandassoonasI wasable,thinkingtomyselfthatit wouldhavebeenbetterifwehad hadarehearsal.

ThisisapictureofthePioneer300afterithadbeenpulledclearoftheshippingcontainer,thedamagetothe spinnerandpropellerisobviousaswasthedamage,aftercowlingremoval,totheenginebearers.Afteranimpact likethisitisessentialthateverypartofanairframeischeckedasdamagecanoccuralongwayfromtheactual impactpoint. (Photo.TobyWilcox)

LOSSOFCONTROLON START-UPINPIONEER300

WhenIjoinedtheLAAasthe AirworthinessEngineer,I'dbeen outofaviationforsometimeand hadthereforemissedtheRotax 'NineSeries'invasion.Imustadmit tobeingquitetakenabackwhenI discoveredthatinmyabsence,they wereevencrammingthispower unitintothebackoftrikes(myname forweightshiftmicrolights(,which seemedthen(andnowactually) completelyover-the-top.

ThefirsttimeIgotto'haveago' inanaircraftfittedwitha912was withFrancisDonaldson,theLAA's

ChiefEngineer,onalocalairtest Icannotrememberexactlywhat thepurposeofthetestwas,it doesn'treallymatter,butFrancis generouslysaid,"Here,youdoit." OK.Throttleset,etc,pushthe starter..,theenginefired,theengine roared(exaggerationluptothreequarterspowerandtheaircraft rolledforward,gatheringspeed. Ratherstartledbythissudden over-enthusiasmunderthecowling, Igrabbedthethrottleandhauled itbacktotheidlestop;Imanaged tobringtheaircrafttoahaltfairly quicklyand,fortunately,nohami wasdone.

Weworkedoutwhathad happenedasourheartrates returnedtonormal.Ihaveahabit oflooseningthethrottlefiction beforestart-up,Francishadn't noticedthis.Ihadsetthethrottle but,becauseoftheunusualthrottle springarrangementonthisengine, afeatureIwasnotawareof,the throttleisstronglybiasedtofull throttle.Thebiaswasstrong enoughto(albeitslowlyiovercome thedraginthethrottleoperating linkageandopenthethrottle quietlywithoutanybodynoticing. Imadeanotethatthisaircraft wouldhavefailedtheairtestso

This damagetotherootendofthesparonthePioneer300aftera frontalimpactwasnotobviousduringtheinitialcursotyinspacttont youcanseethatthetensiontubehaspulledcleanout sparattachmentClearlythewingshavesnapped therapiddecelerationThisfindingledtoavery;los, themainsparwhich,fattunatelY,raved. - photo:Toby

SAFETYSPOT

asfaras!wasconcernedbecause Iconsideredthisadangerous feature.WhatIdidn'trealiseat thetimewas,bydoingthis, wassteppingintoanideological hornet'snest

"No,no!"exclaimedoneRotax agent,"Thisisasafetyfeature 'designed'in."

Ihadn'theardof'designer' throttlesbeforeonlightaircraft butitwasexplainedthatitwas farbetterforathrottletogoto fullthrottleiftheoperatingcable failedthantheenginepower falltoidle.Thinkingthatitwas bettertodesignasystemwhere thethrottlecablecouldn'tfail andwonderingiftherewereany 'drills'formanagingaflat-out engineintheair,Iremained unconvinced.

EarlierthisyearIhadacall fromLAAInspectorRogerTarget( askinghowheshouldmanagethe seriousdamagetoaPioneer300 thathadjustbeenwheeledinto hisrepairshop.Iaskedhowthe damagewasdoneaswehadn't hadanyrecentreportfeaturing PioneeraircraftRogerexplained thattheaircrafthadbeenstarted andthepowerhadgonestraight tofull.Theowner,achapnew totheaircrafttype,wascaught bysurpriseandtheaircrafthad surgedforwardacrossataxiway crashingintoalargeshipping container,completelydestroying therearsparconnectionsofboth wings.Fortunately,thepilotonly sufferedminorinjuries,butitwas somemonthsbeforetheaircraft returnedtotheair.

Thepilot,averyexperienced gliderpilot,wasunawarethat thiswasa'reportable'accident perhapsthinkingthatbecausehe wasn'tairborneitdidn'tcountas one.Regularreaderswillknow thatthisisn'tthecase;ifthere's anintenttoflyandthere'san incident,there'salegalobligation onthecaptaintoinformtheAir AccidentsInvestigationBranch.I spoketotheownerafterhehad recoveredhisequilibrium;here's hisstoryinhisownwords.

IdecidedtohaveaflyThe weatherwasCAVOK.Thetimewas 11 45cm.Mypre-flightinspection completedexteriorlyIsatinthe aircraftandworkedthroughthe checklistcarefullyOnthisoccasion theenginedidnotstart.Idecided tocompletetheDIandstartagain, whichIdid.

Thethrottlewasclosed,i.e.pulled fullytowardme,IthoughtIturned thekeytheengineimmediately burstintofullpower.Theaircraft rushedforward,ontotheapron, acrossthetaxiwayandintoasteel

container,evenwiththebrakeon. Thebrakeissetonthisaircraft withasmallleveronthemiddle consulitseemsthatIhadnot tightenedthelockenoughonthe throttle.Thedamagetotheaircraft wasextensive.

Thelessonformeistoneverstart anengineunlesstheaircraftis facingaverydeararea.Ironically Iwasintendingtofittoe-brakes, whichmayhavegivenmealittle moretime.

Sincetheaccidentmanypeople, includingyou,havetoldmeofthe likelihoodofthishappeningwith theRotaxengine,duetothestrong springonthecarburettor.

Yourstruly..

Ithinkthattheprimaryreason forthisexpensiveincidentis thatthepilotfailedtogothrough thepre-startdrillfromthe beginningonhissecondattempt atstartingtheengine.Thisisa commonhumanerrorinthis typeofincidentand,perhaps, theprimarylessontobelearnt hereisthatif,foranyreason,you interruptanoperalionbefore completion,it'sessentialthatyou restartanoperationfromafixed referencepoint..,normallythe beginning!

Therealreasonforthe'bias'on theRotaxenginesis,ofcourse,the factthatthecarburettorsusedare designedtobepullonly,inother words,thereturnispowered byaspring.NigelBeale,theUK agentforRotaxenginespointsout thatasimplewaytoaddressthis issueistohaveabalancingspring inthethrottlecablesystem, whichcounterstheactionofthe carburettorspring,foraslongas

cableremainsattached.Thisway thecarburettorspringonlytakes overintheeventthatthecable breaks,andinnormaloperation thepilotissparedtheneedto keeptightholdofthethrottle controlwhenstartingandtaxying. Stillwonderingwhetherabias tofullpowerwasagoodidea, andthinkingthatIhadn'theard ofathrottlecablefailureonan aeroplanerecentlysoitprobably wasn'timportantIreceiveda callfromanownerwhohadjust enjoyedaninterestingflightina Glasairduringaninitialairtest You'veguesseditthethrottle controlhadfailed.

GLASAIRSUPERIISRG: THROTTLELINKAGEFAILURE

IreceivedthisletterfromLes Hitchins,whoisjustcorning totheendofthebuildofhis Glasair.Leshasspentalifetime inaviation,firstasanRAFboy entrantatCosford,completingthe MechanicsthentheFitterscourses thenasaFlightEngineeronboth theShortSunderlandandtheAvro Shacldeton.Aninterestingcareer. LesstartedbuildingtheGlanairas aretirementproject;hislastjob wasasaFlightEngineerworking forVirginAtlantic'managing'a Boeing747. CertainlytheGlasairmustfallat thetopendoftheperformance/ complexityspectrumofhomebuilt machinesand,inmyview anyway,hatsofftoanybody withthestaminarequiredto completethisonetonne,260mph machine.Lesfirstregisteredhis projectinNovemberi997andthe aircraftfirsttooktotheskyunder anLAAPermitFlightRelease

CertificateIPFRC)inOctober 2011. AsIwrite,itisjustabouttorestart thetestflightprogrammeafter mechanicalchangestothe enginecontrols.

Ihaveslightlyeditedtheletter...

DearMalcolm...

Ihavetoreportthatnwaircraft madeanemergencylandingat RAFBrizeNorton.Theaircraftwas flyingonaPFRCandwasflownby LAATestPilot,DanGriffith,with myselfasobserver.Theaircrafthad donehoursofflyingwhen,inthe vicinityofChippingNorton,welost controlofthethrottle.

Thepoweravailablewassetto approximately6o%,whichgave usthehealthyspeedof14oktand wehadampletimetoweighupall ouroptions.BrizeNortonwasclose andoffereda3,000mrunwayso anemergencywasdeclaredand anuneventfullandingmadeat thatairfield.

Aninvestigationwasmade afterlandingandthethrottle hadbecomedetachedfromthe injectorthrottlearm.Thebolt, whichattachedthisarm,was foundlaterinthecowlingwith thethreadstripped.Thecondition oftheboltlookslikeithadbeen subjectedtoatorsionalload... Inmyviewtherearetwo possibilitiesforastrippedbolt i. Thenutused,whichshould havebeenanimperialthreaded AN363Do-32Imayhavemistakenly beenasimilar-lookingmetricsize andthethreadswerestripped whenassembling.Ifeelthatthisis highlyunlikelyasallmyhardware isUNF,soIdismissedthis.

2Theotherpossibilitythat sprangtomindwasthe

geometryofthecontrolmay haveoverstressedthebolt/nut aitachment,strippingthethread. Ireassembledthecontrolwith thesamecomponentsandI foundthattheanglethatthe controlmadeatthethrottledosed positionwasslightlybowing thepush-pullcontroland,asI suspected,puttingalargestresson theattachment

Torectiphislatterproblem,I havechangedthethrottlearm whichhasamuchsrnallerstep, whichreducestheangles.Ihave alsodiangedthebolttoanAN3-7 withacastlenutandsplitpin.

Ihaveattachedtheoffendingbolt foryourexamination.

Regards,Les.

IspoketoDan,theLAA'sChief TestPilotwhoflewtheaircraftfor itstestflight;heexplainedthat therealproblemwasthatthe gearandflap-limitingspeedwas momphandthethrottlesetting meantthattheairspeedinlevel flightwassomethingoverihomph. Thegoodthingwasthatbecause thethrottlewasn'tbiasedin anyway,therewas'ampletime toweigh-uptheoptions.'Dan managed,by'pulling'some high-gtums,togetthespeed downbelowVfandtherefore wasabletogettheflapsand geardown.

Theaircrafthaddepartedfrom Enstone,whichhasasuperb 1,loomeast-westasphaltrunway; thiswasanobviousoptionforan emergencylanding.Danhowever decidedtodeclareanemergency andoptforBrizeNorton,amilitary airfieldonlyminutesaway.Dan explains,"Inanemergency situationalwayschoosethebest option,Brize'srunwayis3,000m longer..,anextra6,000fttoget somethingdifficultrightin."

Danadded,"Shouldtheworst happenandyoudogetitwrong, there'sasuperbemergency serviceback-up."

Iagreewiththechoicemade completely,andthegeneral adviceissuperb...

Danmanagedtogettheaircraft ontheapproachtoBrizeand,at about3ooftoverthebeginningof therunway,pulledthemixture backtoidlecut-off,landingthe slipperymachine,engineoutin themiddleoftherunway-even managingtojugglewiththe mixturetorollclearatthenext taxiway...textbook,welldone. I'vetakenacoupleofshotsof theboltLessentintous.Ifyou recall,Lesfeltthatthereweretwo reasonswhythisprimarycontrol systemhadfailed,Ivoteforthe firstone,thewrongnutalthoughI

WithMalcolmMcBride AirworthinessEngineer

Hereisapictureofthethrottle attachmentboltthatfailedonthe Glasair115RGduringaninitialair test,youcanseethatthethreaded portionhasstripped.Themost likelyexplanationforthisisthat ametricnutwasusedbymistake, aneasymistaketomake.After thefailuretheownerdecidedto completelyreviewthethrottle linkagegeometrytoensurethat unnecessarysideloadswere removedatallpointsintherange.

(Photo:MalcolmMcBride)

agreethatitisessentialtogetthe operatinggeometryabsolutely correctbeforecommitUngtoflight Itseemsveryunlikelythatthe forcesthatcouldbeappliedby thepilotcouldbeanythinglike strongenoughtostripa3/16in boltLes,andhisinspectorhave nowchangedthethrottlearm andbushedtheconnection correctly,sothatthereareno tightspotsthroughthelever's operatingrange. Thisisanexamplewhere rehearsalwasn'treallyneeded astherewasplentyoftimeto formulateaplan.Also,itisan examplewhereathrottlelinkage

hasfailedandthepowersetting hasremainedthesame.Ifyou recall,inthecaseofthePioneer, thethrottlewasbiasedtofull. Justtoroundthisstoryoftguess what?We'vejusthadanother throttlelinkagefailure;thistime thepilotLAAmemberPaul Jones,havingrehearsedhisfield landingsregularlyinhiscapacity asCFIattheDerbyAeroClub,dida fantasticjoblandingtheaircraftin afieldaftertheenginequit

MURPHYREBELELITE: THROMECABLEFAILURE

Well,theenginedidn'tactually quitthatwouldn'tbecompletely

WhenIfirstheardaboutthecablefailureonNigelSmith'sdieselpoweredMurphyRebelElite,Ifeltsurethatthecablehadpulledoutof thefitting.ThisprovednottobethecasewhenNigelfoundthebroken end.Pianowireismanufacturedfromtemperedhighcarbonsteel (sometimesreferredtoas'springsteel)withanultimatetensilestrength ofatleast300,000psi.Nigel'sthrottlecablewasmadefrom14swgwire whichmeansthatitshouldn'tfailbeforealoadofabout900lbisapplied toit...notlikely,evenduringajamcase.Youcansee,fromthisphoto, themodeoffailure:thenotch(ataboutseveno'clock)hasledtoastress concentrationandthiscablehasprobablyfailedbecauseoffatiguein bending.Howthiscouldhaveoccurredisabitofamystery.Thepicture rightshowsthepointoffailure. (Photo:MalcolmMcBride)

fairontheWilkschWAMnothreecylinder,dieselunit,itjustwent backtoidle,whichhasavery similareffectInthecaseofthe WAMenginetheinjectorunitis biasedtoclosedso,inourgeneral discussionaroundtheverygreat benefitsofrehearsalandthe debateabouttheprosandconsof throttlebias,wenowhavea'full house'ofthingstothinkabout Paulwasconductinggeneral handlingchecks,including stalls,onthisvirtuallybrand newMurphyRebelElitebefore completingthepre-certification flighttestItookaquicklookatthe databaseandnotedthatthereD,

SAFETYSPOT

arefourotherElitesflyingbutwe haveelevenotheraircraftunder constnictionbyLAAmembers. Thiskit-builtaircraftwas registeredwiththeLAAbyairline pilotNigelSmithinsoosandisthe onlyexampleNofar)ofaWilkschpoweredEliteflying.

AfterNigelhadrecoveredhis aircraftMndinformedtheAAIB oftheincident)hewrotetome explainingwhathehadfound.

HiMalcolm, Aspromisedadescriptionof myfailurethatledtotheforced landingyesterday.Thepower control(andstandbypower/fuel shutoff)inmyaircraftaresingle core(pianowiretype)cableswith spiralsurrounds,similartoACS partNoA-Thog5-09436.

Theyareattachedtotheengine viaawiregrip(ACSo5-16000)and anAuroratyperodendbearing. Thespiralsurroundonthecables isterminatedexactlyatthecontrol leverssideofthe;postsecuring bracketmountedontheengine. Incruiseataboutwoftthe powercablebrokeatthepoint whereitexitsthewiregrip(as shownbythepointerinthe picture).Theshortlengthinside thewiregripwasremovedlater duringexamination-thecable hadnotsimplypulledoutofthe wiregrip.

Theenginewounddowntoidle, andthetestpilot(PaulJonesfrom Derby)didasuperbjobinlanding itundamagedina2a5mfieldof longishgrass.Thebrokencable wasrefittedandafterextensive powercheckstheaircraftwas flownoutofthefieldandreturned toDerby wouldrecommendthatanyone usingsinglecarecablesofthistype ensurethataspringisfittedto

thecontrolarmsontheengineto ensurethepowerandfuelshutoff armswilltraveltofullopenunder springactionintheeventofa cablebrake.

Iamalsochangingthepower cableinminetoaCessnatype threadedendmulticarecable. BestWishes,Nigel.

Nligelseemstofeelthatthepilot wouldhavebeeninabetter positioniftheenginehadgone tofullpowerratherthanidle andimpliesthatthisshouldbe adesignfeaturewheresingle coreactuatingcablesareused. Ihaveaslightlydifferentview, baseduponthepremisethat thethrottlecontrolisaprimary controlandanydesignneeds totakethisintoaccount;failure shouldn'tbeanoption.

Wehaveseen,onourjourney thismonth,threefailures(well, fourifyoucountourerrant organist)thatcentre On the failureofthrottlecontrol.Twoof thefailuresendedupinforced landingsfortunately,primarily duetogoodpilotage,withno lastingdamage.Onefailureended upwithinjuryandsubstantial airframeandenginedamage;the curninonfeaturewithallthese incidentswasthattheaircraft werenewtotheowners.

IaskedNigelwhereIshould sendthethrottlecableasI hadfinishedexaminingit-he suggestedtheLAA'sBlack Museum...Tinre-designing thethrottlewithanappropriate operatingcable."Ithinkthat thisisagoodideaandI'm lookingforwardtoseeingNigel's machinewhenhebringsitoverto Turwestonshortlyforahandling evaluation.

Fairwinds!•

HereisapictureoftheWireGriptypeendfittingusedonthepianowire throttlecablefromtheWilkschNAMenginethatfailedduringatest flightonNigelSmith'sMurphyRebelElite,puttingtheaircraftintoa field.I'venotseenthistypeofconnectorbefore.Youcanseethatthe pianowire(leftinthepicture)ispushedthroughthebarrelintothe taperedclamp. I wasveryimpressedwiththeclampingforceapplied tothepianowireevenwhenonlyhandtightalthough,whilstthissort offittingmightbeOKforaheatercontrolIpersonallydon'tthinkthat itshouldbeusedonaprimarycontrol.Nigel,incidentally,hadalready madethatdecisionbeforechattingtomeandhehasnowreplacedthe throttlecablewithaTeleflexcable.Onegoodthingaboutthistypeof fittingisthatastandardballendcanbeusedwhich,inmyview,hasto bebetterthancrushingthecablebetweenanutandbolt,anoften-seen tertiarycontrolsystempractice. (Photo:MalcolmMcBride)

Wheretogo

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SENSENICHPROPELLERMODELW58HV5L-32G. Woodcorecompositewrap. Blackwithwhitetips.Madetosuit2.2Lengine/ZenithCH701.Unusedinoriginalbox withLogBook.£650.Emailmonarch13P GHX.com

LYCOMING0-320-2BC150HPFLATBACK MOUNT Bottomendoverhauled2008. neverused.AllAD'sandSB'scomplied with,Crankcaseassemblyzero-houred. OverhauledCamshaftandnewfollowers fitted.Topendoverhauled.Cylindersbead blastcleaned,honedatstandardringsize andnewexhaustvalveguidesfittedtoall fourcylinders.Valveseatsdressed,serviceablealmostnewvalvesrefitted.New pistonsandringsfitted.Newrockershafts fitted.Soldwithoutmagnetos.carburettor andancillaries.£7,500ono.ContactPaul on07703649582.

CONTINENTAL0-200FORSALE. 59 hoursSMOH.RemovedfromanLAAaircraftafterpropstrike.Enginestripped,inspected.andre-assembledinaccordance withContinentalOverhaulProcedures. £6950.Contact07733301511.

Ortairsporys.ost,uk

FamiltorialtonE.Service

Maniteitant.e HeavyMaintenance4Ir

CLASSICENGINEPROBLEMS? Hindsight Aviationcanusuallyhelp.Sofarwe've doneGipsyMajors,aCirrusBombardier andC90s.Sotakealookatwww.hindsight-aviation.co.ukVeryreasonablerates. Tel:07973775856.

AIRCRAFTPARTSFORSALE.Emailto mikdon@btinternet.comforcatalogue. SLICKMAGNETO inasnewcondition Modelno4347Lag.25RotLRevC20 hoursfromnew,removedfrom160HP AviatHusky£450Contact07818038540.

PANDECTVACUUMgyrocompass(DI) forsale.Goodconditionandworkswellon bench.£180.Hasconnectionsforexternal compassreferencebutworksfinewithout. P12compassinasnewconditionhence £250.Mauletailwheelingoodcondition, castoringtype.Weighsapprox 10 lbs.£70. Tel:07973775856.

FORSPRUCE,Plywood,DouglasFirand Balsagoto:www.aircraftplywoodandtimber. co.ukEmail:Dudleypattison@btinternet. cornorTelephone:01793791517.

PRIVATEAIRFIELDFORSALE withfour hangars.largebarn,farmhouseandoutbuildings.Totalarea25acres.40miles fromLondon.Forfurtherdetails01256 704493.

THREERUNWAYSANDHANGARAGE. NorfolkGlidingClubwillsoonbeabletoofferhangarageatTibenhamairfieldforSEP aircraft.Contact Manager@NorfolkGlidingClub.comforinformation.

GROUNDEDBYTHEOLYMPICS? Norfolk GlidingClubcanofferlimitedhardstanding andgrassforsinglesandtwins,accessto threeasphaltrunwaysandfuelatmembers rates.Contact Manager@NorfolkGlidingClub.comforinformation.

FREEDRAININGGRASSAIRFIELD. Rural SWEngland,11+yearsestablisheduse. Openapproaches.suitSTOL.Recently fullyrefurbishedfourbedfarmhouse.D/ garage,workshop.hangar.Outstanding views.Twopaddocksandstable.£475K 07971353038.

AIRCRAFTTIE-DOWNS £1.00perday. Annualclubfee£75.Allweather600yd grassstrip.Teabar.FulldetailsGoogle HolmbeckAirfield,TelephoneBob01296 681925.

AIRSTRIPOUTSIDEOLYMPICAIRSPACE insoutheastofferingoutdoorparkingfacilityduringjulyandAugust.Call07860 461645formoreinformation.

()ShellOils DELIVERYANYWHEREINUK

Tit.SpinevydliiiHRoby2SbobtHume?. £105(12USQuarts)£200(24USQuarts)

£105(12Litres)£200(24Litres)

£78(12USQuarts)£146(24USQuarts) :: II

£62(12Litres)£98(20Litres) :: ii

£63(12Litres)£98(20Litres) TOPQUALITYOILFROMSHELL OTHERSHELLOILS,GREASES& FLUIDSAVAILABLE

Tel-PaulBrooker herallyouroilneedsjestgivemeacall 3479309•:l12331:0231lEvel •paa-;101-ollscouk

I

GARMINAERA500GPSasnew,kidall accessories,caseandmainscharger. £380.Tel01248852979Evenings.

GARMIN196AVIATIONGPS.Excellent condition.Itcomeswithmanual,panel topmount,yokemountandpowercable£190.Tel.John07729485696.

affordabledigitalavionics Seeourextensivewebsite dedicatedtotheatrcraftbuilder

20"SPOKEDWHEELS,chrome,brand new£99.Facetelectronicfuel pump and installationkit,brandnew£29.Rotax 2-strokeexhaustsfrom£75.Rotax2-stroke pullstart£15Tel:07971353038.

EXPERIENCEDBUILDER,pilot.andLAA Inspectorforwood,metalandcomposite aircraftoffershisservicesforrepairwork, recoveringandspraying.Finishingoff projects,assistancewithkitsandinsurancework,building,inspectionandPermit renewals.Weighingserviceusingthelatestcomputerpadsforthemostaccurate weightpossible!Forfurtherdetailscontact MikeHanleyTel:01872560771.Mobile: 07703781628.Email:Mwhflyby@aol.com FREEAIRCRAFTFERRYING.Pilotavailabletoferry/re-locatelightaircraftaround southernhalfoftheUKforFREE.£m happytotravelandpayexpenses.200 hours+P1onseveraltypesnoseandtailwheel.Fastlearningpracticalpilot/owner/ LAAmember.References.Tel-Jonathan 07889338620ore-mailjonathan@f1y76. orangehome.co.uk

HERITAGEAIRFESTIVAL.NorfolkGliding clubwillbeholdingaHeritageAirFestival onJuly8th.Flyinandavoidthecrowds (nolandingfee,justpaytheadmission). Seeourwebsitewww.norfolkglidingclub. comfordetails.

MAGAZINES25yearsPilotMarch1972to June1997.NineyearsFlyerApnl1990to May1999.PopularFlyingMarch1989to 2007.LightAviation2008todate.Collect Devon.£30.01805804207.

Cambhdoe:135miles,London:77miles 5bedroomhouseina uniquesettingsurroundedbynature•grassairstrip•tenniscoed•swimmingpool developmentpotential•woodland&grazingmeadow•additionallandavailable About25acresGuideE800,000

CatherineScandrett cscandreltodsavillocom 01223347218

ARA795£1395

7inchhighresolutionscreen

ZULO.2ANRGAversion E530

ZULU.2ANRHelicopter ,E530

ZULUANRLemopanelversionE530 tenthbluetoothandmusicinput

/ERA500 E449

I ERA550 £699

GPSMAP695 £1095

GNS430GPS/GorniNavIOHCI£3995

*GTN650/750BPS/Com/NanCall

*Suppliedwrthharnessfor LAAaircraft

GTX328ModeStransponderEt650

GTX330transponder....Call

SL40Comm £1195

SL30Nay/Comm,,,,£2595

GMA340Audiopanel..£875

GMA240Audiopanel£599

GI106ACDI £1395

G3XEFIS/EMSSYSTEM

G3Xsystemsingledisplay E3845

G3X systemdualdisplayE5495

CAAdigitalchartsasstandard MovingMapGPS

Uniqueairspacealertingsystem Readytousestraightfromthebox Freeairspaceupdatesforlife

AWARE5AirspaceWarningDevice.....f191

AWARE5+AirspaceWarningDevice £274

NEWCLARITY2.00with5screen £415

FORESIGHTTiscreenmovingmapGPS £665

FORESIGHT7"superbrightGAS £1332

A••

SV-0700/display £1690EFIS-06 £1050

SV-D100010"display £2290EFIS-D10A...£1400

SV-ADAHRS-200 £775EFIS-D100 £1575

SV-EMS-220/A £390EMS-01200400

SV-XNPDR-262MadeS£1160Fli5htDEK-D180f2095

SV-GPS-250CPSreceiverE130HS39HSImoduleE425

AllotherSkyviewpartsinstockSV-32AutoPilotMO £500

RCALLEN 8150 approved/

RCA2600-3electuchorrzon...E1750

(TS0approved/ FS460fuelflow E449

EOM700seriesenginemanagement systemformostenginesfrom£950

displaysADS-8equippedaircraft within150milesradiusonyourPC

BadElf100GPSfor iPhone/iPad £80

HarrysHM40 E99

HM51childheadset £89

Peltor8006GAheadset£175

PeltorHelicopterheadseL.099

DavidClarkH10-30 £189

DavidClarkH10-134 £205

DavidClarkH10-13H £229

DavidClarkH10-60 £249

SennheiserHME95£135

SennheiserHME100 £159

SennheiserHME110......f175

SennheiserHMEC250....E325

SennheiserHMEC26BKE499

SennheiserHMEC96BK£425

PRECISION PAIMOverticalcardcompass E249

MID -CONTINENT 4300-411LIFESAVERElectricHorizonwith 1houremergencybatterybackupE2395 M0200-3063''CourseDenlnd.E1195 1394T100-7ZTurnCoordinator530

7000C.31VerticalSpeedInd E450 M090QuartzClock E165

• PortableTraffic AlertSystem "".•••/.4 ZaonMAXE299Zaon/DIXE825

AV8ORACEGPSTdisplay0195 KMD250panelmountGPS£1995 KY196A/197AVHFRCIcernEMI] KY97AVHF(OHC/commE999 KR87ADEMCIunitonly£695 KR87ADFIOHCIsystem£1695 K•64OMEIORCI. £1295 KN64DMESC+£2095

NEWBoseA20Headset

A20GAtwinplug £737

A20GAMinpluglatlbleeleOth£812

A20HelicopterwibluetoothE812

A20Lemainstalledversion£737

A20Lemow/bluetooth E812 Installedwiringharnessf32

NONTSOINSTRUMENTS

MINGOA

611030vacuumhorizon E299

GH025electrichorizon14voltE675

6E1031D.G.vacuumE299

60023D.G.electric E675

BC2AVerticalSpeedIndicator£99

BZW-4BTurnCoordinator E239

BG-3EAltimeter200003pointerE215

BG-19Altimeter117,000'2.25" E149

BK13AA.S.I.20-100KNOTSE95

BK15AS.I.20-150KNOTS E95

MCO22VerticalcardcompassE135

ATR500transceiver £1307

ATR833transceiver £1070 TRT800Htransponder £1650

MX11replacementCom£695

MX170CNay/Corn £1295

MX300Nav/Gorn £1295

Pricesincludeprogramming AMERI-KINGAK-451ELTJTSD approved406MHzELT£599 completesystemwith2antennas KANNADIntegraAFpack £550 PackincludesELT,universalmounting bracket,RC200remoteandconnectors KANNADXS-9GPSPLB £199

MMOMBHelmetwithVOX£345

MM0O1CHeirnetANOXandANO£406

MM001Headset £181

MMOOIAANRHeadset £242

MM006BlueleothphoneadaptorE140

MM005RadioInterface f186 I.

HM2 placeportable E99

Home/KitBuilders

Wecansupplyanavionicspackagetomeet yourspecificrequirementsreadyPo immediateinstalaeon

Alloomsmecustommadebyaurengineers IItequredtneavionicscanhebuiltagoour rawrackstackmeritingsystem Pleasecalllotprmgandmoreinformation

SurvivalProducts 4-6PersonRafts

HM2placeforloomw/PTT£119

HM4placeportable £119 SigtronicsSPA400. £169 PSEngineering

PM500EXpanelmount4place £199 PM10004placepricesfrom £249 PM3000stereo4place £329 PMA4000AudioPanel£549

• REVERE AereCompactRaft

2PersonRafts Raft E699

ThelightestmestcompactSIintheWorld Raftwithcanopy£999 Raftwithequipment £1150

HMSurvivorSlimlinelifejacket withwhistleandlight E65

Raftwithcanopy£799

4PersonRafts

Raftwithcanopy£899

Raftwithstdequipment£999

Raftwithdeluxeequip£1495