Introducing the Eagle Ray

Tri-gear or taildragger? It’s not easy to tell from the roughs.

Looks like it could be fun, certainly seems mould-breaking compared to the dreary ‘airfix GRP/composite look-alikes’ the sky is currently filling with.

Moggy

I take it you are not keen on plastic tadpoles either then? Glad I’m not alone.

Thanks for your replies lads. I realize that most of you are aircraft enthusiasts but don’t fly or build your own. Here in Oz, as in the US, many people, male and female, build either kits or from scratch, a high variety of planes. Nowadays, most fly on a Recreation Certificate rather than a PPL license. It’s waay cheaper and no medicals are required.

I’ve been dallying with this design for about 6 months and it has gone through a lot of metamorphoses. Prior to this, I was working on my DeMansfield Bolt, see below. Both designs have raised some interesting talk back on both Oz and US forums. I like something that is different, outside the square. I’m not an engineer although I worked with them in my career as a Metrologist (Science of Measurement) These projects keep me off the streets until I win the lottery to be able to build one. I try to aim for other pennyless fliers in order to keep their dreams alive as well.

The “ILS aerials” are in fact, pitch trim vanes, an addition to the original design. The DD has, apparently, fairly heavy controls and this addition helped smooth out the landing phase. We have a tricycle undercarriage where all wheels swing backwards. The wheels don’t quite disappear into the fuselage and wing stubs (outboard of wheels are removable on mine but fold over the fuse’ on the DD. The aircraft is road tow-able in that configuration).

VW engines are easy to get hold of here. Our cars don’t rust out like yours do. A Subaru could also be used but then you have to fit in all the water cooling paraphernalia and deal with the extra weight. Turbo charging is allowable with no extra qualification requirements, not that many builders go to that extreme. To be honest, I’ve never seen it mentioned on the Oz forum, maybe I should check my facts later. Money aside, I could design for the 3300 Jabiru flat six or even the 5800 flat eight. Both would really stuff up my weights and balances though, plus I would have to build in metal ……… not my thing.

Gotta go, sun’s out and the beach is calling :diablo: Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Stay safe, Doug

Adding a turbo would require differences training for the vanilla PPL pilot.

Moggy

Subaru flat four ‘Boxer’ engine offer more power/upgrade possibilities.?

phat turbochargingz GET IN MAAAAAAAAATE

😀

wonder if a normal automotive turbocharging setup would be useable for an aircraft?

Tri-gear or taildragger? It’s not easy to tell from the roughs.

Looks like it could be fun, certainly seems mould-breaking compared to the dreary ‘airfix GRP/composite look-alikes’ the sky is currently filling with.

Moggy

Hi Doug,
Thats certainly a distinctive design you have there. How long have you been working on this project?

Also how easy is it to still obtain VW flat four engines for aeronautical use… or would something like a Subaru flat four ‘Boxer’ engine offer more power/upgrade possibilities.?

Rob.

On the lower right hand pic (photo).
Are they ILS aerials on each side of the fin ? LOL
Good luck with the project,certainly looks different.

Looking good, that’s your weekends filled for the next few years! Best wishes for the project.:)