Subject: Windwalker
From: ACRE NL
Date: 1/19/2003, 6:23 PM


     George Lendich wrote:

          Chris,
          It's been a while since I've seen the beginning of this
project, I'm very
          impressed with the overall shape/asthetics.
          So is this going to be a kit or plans built aircraft.
          George (down under)


It's going to be a kit with plans. The reason it's taking so long
is due to the extensive moldmaking process, plus the fact that
we have real jobs, children, wives, church, etc. Just as soon as
I'm
rich
(probably tomorrow) I'll have some spare time. I don't know how
Paul
takes care of this newsletter and still makes so much headway on
all
of his projects. Magic, I guess.

Chris
microcosman.com/aircraft

Chris,
I mentioned this project to a fellow builder, some time ago. I
suggested
he
follow your lead with Carbon fiber wing skins.
I mention this for my own education/understanding benefit, as I'm
sure
you
know what your doing.
My friend said that he wouldn't use Carbon on the wings as it is too
stiff
and would not allow the wing load to be taken up completely by the
spar -
until the skin failed.
Always willing to learn!
What's your opinion on this !?
George (down under)


Having done a bit of work in design of composites, I will throw my 2
cents
in. The carbon skins are undoubtedly Bi-directional weave at 45 deg.
The woven cloth has a much lower modulus than the Uni carbon typically
in spars. The bending loads will be shared on a basis of modulus, and
the wing skins will not be duly overloaded, and will not try to do more
than it's fair share. If you had low modulus spar material it would be
a different story. The wing collectively will be very stiff, but the
rather
high wing loading will moderate the "ride'' and peak loads.

This is an ineresting design, and unique - no one is going to mistake
it
for a Piper Cherokee, or even Lancair for that matter. The very skinny
rear
fuselage is something I would not do - even with all the carbon it is
going to have a relatively low flexural frequency.
Vance J

Thanks for the input.  Some of the apparent "skinniness" is due to the
large cockpit, an illusion if you will.  We're about as big back there
as a Lancair IV.

Incidentally, what do you charge for analysis Vance?  Always
good to refer to someone who does this for a living.

Has anyone read the article in the latest Custom Planes on flutter
starring our first design?

Chris
microcosman.com

 
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