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RagWing Q&A from
http://hammer.prohosting.com/~ragwings/
G1. Why homebuild an airplane?
There are lots of good reasons; its fun, its educational, the joy of
accomplishment, and it can save you megabucks versus a factory built "spam
can". If you build in the garage you'll even discover all sorts of
neighbors you never knew you had.
G2. Why build with wood?
I building with wood because it is easy to work with, smells good, and
looks pretty when you're done! Many people already have all, or most of,
the tools required to build a RagWing design in their home workshops.
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RW 6 Ragwing
Specifications |
| Top Speed: |
90 MPH |
| Cruise Speed: |
65 MPH |
| Stall Speed: |
25 MPH |
| Wing Span: |
25.5 ft |
| Wing Area: |
117 sq ft |
| Length: |
16.5 ft |
| Empty Weight |
242 lbs |
| Gross Weight |
550 lbs |
| Engine: |
20-52 hp |
| Takeoff Roll: |
100 ft |
| Landing Roll: |
150 ft |
| Seats: |
1 |
| Build time: |
350 hrs |
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RagWing Aircraft Designs
4403 White Horse Road
Greenville, SC 29611
(864) 787-5980
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G3. Ultralight or Experimental?
OK, I was chastised by our international viewers for this one. The
definition of an ultralight is COMPLETELY different in the USA than
anywhere else. The following comment is based on US regulations, know your
local rules!
This one is a little harder because it is based more on personal
preferences. To fly an ultralight you don't need a pilots license from the
FAA, or the medical certification normally needed for a pilot's license.
In the US a true ultralight has to be a single seat (no passengers), and
you can't fly at night. There are also weight (254 pound max), fuel (5
gallons max), and various other restrictions.
G4. Where do I get more information?
There are many excellent sources on RagWing Airplanes, including a very
active newsgroup, the newsletter mentioned on the questions page, you can
contact any of the
builders
and building materials and moral support are available from Sirius
Aviation.
S1. What is the serial number of my plane?
To register a plane you need to have a serial number on the documentation.
Since the manufacturer normally assigns serial numbers, and we're talking
about homebuilts, you as the builder can assign any serial number you
want. Most people use either the number of the plan set (if theirs has
one) i.e. RW-472, or else their initials, i.e. TF-001. It really doesn't
matter, as long as it is the same on ALL the documentation.
S2. How do I glue laminates?
First of all, the idea is to use thinner pieces of wood to go around sharp
curves. If you use 1/8" strips like the plans show, you can make most of
the curves with little or no steaming or soaking. I steam all of the
laminates, and then block them to shape and let them dry. There are two
basic approaches (probably more!) to gluing the assemblies that use
laminated wood (like tail feathers on most of the RW planes.)
- Cut all of the pieces, and then glue them all at once. This requires
quick work on getting everything glued before the glue starts to set up.
If you are using any kind of two part glue you have a limited pot life.
Also, I have a lot of trouble getting all the joints to come out as
planned, somehow nothing fits as well when you're in a hurry!
- Glue up the laminates, and then cut and glue the straight stuff.
Even though this takes longer, I prefer this method, because I can cut
the straight pieces to fit the exact curve of the laminated parts. Note
that you do have to be careful to clean excess glue off the bows before
gluing the straight parts so that everything comes out flat.
S3. What is the best way to seal the all of the wood?
Once you select what you will use to seal the wood (I use HIPEC, others
have had success with West Systems, polyurethane spar varnish, etc.) go
the aviation department of your favorite hardware store. Pick up an
appropriate size brush, a pump style oil can, and a few feet of tubing.
Drill a hole in the handle of the brush, run one end of the tube through
the hole to the brush bristles. Fill the oil can with your choice of
sealant and run the other end of the tube to the spigot on the oil can.
You now can pump the liquid to the brush and can spread the it very
quickly! Make sure you leave any area that will be glued later clear so
the glue will be forming a wood to wood joint!
S4. Do I have to use certificated paint?
Nope, since we're talking experimentals here you can experiment. One
approach that has successfully used is "Bunner's Method".
Click here
to see how Jerry paints his planes.
For several web video interviews on the
Ragwing stable of aircraft subscribe to the Ultralight Flyer Web video
magazine. |
