by dougm » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:23 am
I'll throw in my $.02
1. I believe it was done once by someone in Europe (Germany?), but it was a bubble-style that opened to the side. Speaking strictly cosmetically for a minute, a traditional sliding canopy would look nicer. However, to do that you'd have to redesign the turtledeck and the transition to the tail which I wouldn't do without researching the implications.
As for the cold weather (I live in MA so I can relate), I think your limiting factor will be oil temp before it is personal comfort. If it is too cold to maintain a minimum oil temp then you aren't flying. As for comfort, I'm going to install a heater and plan on covering the front 'pit in the winter to minimize heat loss. Also, I do a lot of motorcycle touring so I plan on using electric vest/pant/glove liners to stay warm. Flying in the winter is fun, but can also be a pain. When I owned my C-170 my personal limit was 15-20 deg F. Below that temp I just didn't feel like standing outside for 20-30 minutes (or more) preheating my engine unless I was taking a long trip.
2. no idea
3. There's a lot of sub-assembly work you can do first. I started out small and built the ribs and cut all the smaller wood pieces, had the small metals pieces cut, began work on the compression tubes, etc. There's enough there in smaller part and assemblies to keep you occupied for a while. If you are in a position to devote yourself to the project a couple hours a day every day then you could move onto the center section, fuel tank, wings. A year can get consumed pretty quickly with all that.
4. Apples & Cumquats... I like the Bearhawk too, but they are two very different aircraft with completely different missions. I'll defer to others (especially Bill) on the CG topic, but suffice to say, it shouldn't be an issue for normal biplane flying. Again, back to motorcycles, I think of a biplane like a bike... one or two people and your stuff for a day trip. Cross country can be done if you understand how to pack light.
5. I think you'll be able to adjust it to put as much or as little as you want. I've seen some pretty bare panels and some loaded ones, but I'll defer to those more experienced on this one.
6. Are you referring to the panel or the plane as a whole?
I'll throw in my $.02
1. I believe it was done once by someone in Europe (Germany?), but it was a bubble-style that opened to the side. Speaking strictly cosmetically for a minute, a traditional sliding canopy would look nicer. However, to do that you'd have to redesign the turtledeck and the transition to the tail which I wouldn't do without researching the implications.
As for the cold weather (I live in MA so I can relate), I think your limiting factor will be oil temp before it is personal comfort. If it is too cold to maintain a minimum oil temp then you aren't flying. As for comfort, I'm going to install a heater and plan on covering the front 'pit in the winter to minimize heat loss. Also, I do a lot of motorcycle touring so I plan on using electric vest/pant/glove liners to stay warm. Flying in the winter is fun, but can also be a pain. When I owned my C-170 my personal limit was 15-20 deg F. Below that temp I just didn't feel like standing outside for 20-30 minutes (or more) preheating my engine unless I was taking a long trip.
2. no idea
3. There's a lot of sub-assembly work you can do first. I started out small and built the ribs and cut all the smaller wood pieces, had the small metals pieces cut, began work on the compression tubes, etc. There's enough there in smaller part and assemblies to keep you occupied for a while. If you are in a position to devote yourself to the project a couple hours a day every day then you could move onto the center section, fuel tank, wings. A year can get consumed pretty quickly with all that.
4. Apples & Cumquats... I like the Bearhawk too, but they are two very different aircraft with completely different missions. I'll defer to others (especially Bill) on the CG topic, but suffice to say, it shouldn't be an issue for normal biplane flying. Again, back to motorcycles, I think of a biplane like a bike... one or two people and your stuff for a day trip. Cross country can be done if you understand how to pack light.
5. I think you'll be able to adjust it to put as much or as little as you want. I've seen some pretty bare panels and some loaded ones, but I'll defer to those more experienced on this one.
6. Are you referring to the panel or the plane as a whole?