Phil Dorothy wrote: Phil,
I have watched all of your videos and followed your amazing trip with your ship, with pleasure. And, I think you have done more to push everyone into modern building materials since Rutan. I am too big a human being for a CD, but I am very interested in the application of of infusion composites to larger wings. I'm looking at a part 103 ultralight with a three cylinder Verner radial. The Legal Eagle LE meets Part 103 and carries a mature pilot. I'm studying a composite, single strut, double tapered wing.
I would appreciate any ideas, and suggestions.
The other Phil (Dorothy)
Hi Phil,
Many thanks for the compliments - my ego is soaring high!
I'm glad the website and videos are proving useful - I figured someone might learn something from my mistakes and successes! My all-composite CD is a super fun machine to fly and will (I hope) give me many years of enjoyment without having to worry about the damp Irish conditions it lives in... or woodworm!
Although the standard CD is designed for a very light (and slim!) pilot, it has been successfully modified by Steve Arndt, to carry his 'out of spec' bulk and girth. Steve extended his wings a little to keep the overall wing loading down, and widened his pilot pod so he didn't have to shoe-horn himself in. You have the power!
I'm not an expert in either aircraft design or building (I'd never built anything this big or ever used composites before this), so my CD build was one big experiment from start to finish. That being said, if there's anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to email me here or in private and I'll do my best.
All the best,
Phil (a.k.a. your Mini Me!)
PS - is this the Legal Eagle you're looking at building - cool little sky trolley!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milholland_Legal_Eagle