EA-7 Edgley Optica – Aircraft of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

 

This aircraft of the month is the Edgley Optica a Observation aircraft designed to be a low cost alternative to Helicopters. It was developed and manufactured in England in the 70’s. 22 Aircraft where built

The 8 Hour endurance at Loiter speed is impressive. The center mounted Ducted fan is something usually only seen on models.

A dedicated web site for the aircraft can be found at: http://www.optica.co.uk/index2.html

Sketchfab has a online 3D model where you can see many of the details of the aircraft at: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/edgley-optica-b9a0cc7a21344aee94d147362edbcda5

And for some YouTube Videos:

MS Flight Sim X has a freeware sim aircraft you can download at:

https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/15773/fsx-edgley-optica/

Outerzone does not currently have any options for the Optica but there is a UK web site where you can buy plans for a 2M wing span version with .60 glow power:

Edgley Optica – Plan

This Aircraft of the Month is brought you by Audible, now is the perfect time to check out all the different books available.

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Omni Calculator – Engineering Resource

/ Spencer Gould

The other day at work looking up air density conversions I came across a great resource called the Omni Calculator, it can convert and calculate all kinds of stuff. https://www.omnicalculator.com

Click on the 3 lines to access the different options on the desk top version, mobile has a search bar and topics on the home page

For the air density conversion here is the exact page https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/air-density

POWERUP 3.0 Original Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplanes Conversion Kit – Product of the month

/ Spencer Gould

 

Ever wanted to have a RC paper airplane? Here is a great option:

  • Bring your favorite “blast from the past” to the present when you turn your paper airplane into a remote-controlled flying Machine!
  • This multiple award-winning conversion kit features a crash-resistant design and will give your paper plane a massive 180 ft. (55M) range – truly a gravity-defying experience.
  • Equipped with Bluetooth Smart technology, you can control your plane with your smartphone through the power up app (iOS/Android compatible, check Power Up website for more details)
  • Simple controls are fun for all ages: tilt smartphone/tablet from right to left to maneuver and use the throttle lever on the app to ascend and descend
  • Features battery level, charging status and range indicators plus an air traffic control attribute. New features! For easy on-boarding – boost – Nitro for extra power, in app flight Academy, free template downloads, gesture control and game-pad controls
  • Contents: power up 3. 0 Bluetooth Smart module, crossbar, Spare rudder, Spare propeller, 4 sheets of special template paper (2 Cardinal design, 2 invader design), instructions, quick start guide, and mounting display and storage box
  • 365 day limited !

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Schweizer SGS 2-33 – Aircraft of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

The Schweizer 2-33 is a very popular training glider, I got to do some glider training on one at the main Glider training base in Boulder Municipal Airport in Colorado in the 90’s. Glider training still goes on at this airport, check out  https://www.milehighgliding.com/ to learn more.

The aircraft was easy to fly and had simple & conventional construction.  Like the contemporary 172’s & PA-28’s peak production was in the 60’s – 70’s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizer_SGS_2-33

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/models/aircraft/Schweizer2-33.html

The market’s voting dollars however chose sleek composite sail planes in the early 80’s ending production on the 2-33.

The 2-33 is still a good gliding trainer. Like Acrobatic training ability to grow performance skills, glider training gets conventional pilots more skills in the case of an engine out.

The 2-33 also has the same NACA 63-618 Airfoil as the SP-500 offering Aerodynamic & Structural efficiency

Not too many RC options, none on outerzone yet. If your gun-ho for a RC model Aviation Concepts has a 1/3 scale version with a mammoth 17′ wing span

https://www.aviationconceptsrc.com/1-3-scale-2-33

& a 1/8 scale version

https://www.aerosente.com/a078-schweizer-sgs-233a-18-scale.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ercoupe – Aircraft of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

This months aircraft is the ERCO Ercoupe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ERCO_Ercoupe

On my commute to work I listen to a lot of audio books on Audible, the current book I’m on is Sam Walton made in America (the auto biography of the man who started Walmart)

I was surprised to  how much of a role general aviation played in his success in building one of the largest and most profitable companies on the planet. He got his pilots license and the first aircraft he bought for business travel  was a Ercoupe N2278H

He not  only used general aviation as a faster and more efficient commuting method to check in on his stores he also used it as aerial scouting for new sites for stores decades before internet sites like google earth / maps and real estate sites.

Another connection to the Ercoupe is Fred Weick, who deigned this aircraft for ERCO in 1936. Fred later went on to Piper Aircraft in Vero Beach where he went on to be the lead designer in the Cherokee series. I worked at the same plant from 2005 – 2008 on many of his designs.

Ercoupe’s are still a viable & low cost option today for general aviation. Airworthy examples can be found below $20K

https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?make=ERCOUPE&s-type=aircraft

https://www.barnstormers.com/listing.php?catid=20352

For the RC community Outerzone has a bunch of options:

https://outerzone.co.uk/search/results.asp?keyword=ercoupe

Many of these are from the 40’s-60′ and original designed for free flight but with today’s modern electric motors and micro servos they could easily become RC aircraft.

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The Ultimate Drone Hack – Video Share of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

This months video share is from Trent Palmer’s YouTube Channel.

Conventional gimbal systems for selfie sticks don’t do too well with the 50 mph + range of a bush plane, Trent used his DJI Inspire with the props off strapped to the lift struts of his KitFox to utilize the Inspires camera & gimbal system that can handle the air speed on a bush plane platform.

I would highly recommend Trent’s channel, it has some of the highest quality & most compelling Aviation content on YouTube.

While its not a huge market this looks like an excellent entrepreneurial endeavor to create a gimbal system rated for general aviation aircraft at GoPro level prices serving the market between the weaker systems and the ultra high cost cinematography systems.

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Yaesu FTA-750L Handheld VHF Transceiver – Product of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

 

 

 

 

 

The FTA 550 offers Low cost solution to Aircraft communication and navigation.

The FTA 750 adds GPS functionality

Version 2.04 NEW FEATURES
  • Updated Backlight Lamp Timer settings OFF / CONTINUOUS / 5 / 10 / 30 / 60 / 120 / 300 seconds
Version 2.00 NEW FEATURES
  • Updated the Memory Book to include eight customizable Memory Groups
  • Updated Scan Band selection
  • “ALL BAND” scans both COM and NAV bands between 108.00MHz and 136.975MHz
  • “COM BAND” scans the COM band between 118.00MHz and 136.975MHz
  • “NAV BAND” scans the NAV band between 108.000MHz and 117.975 MHz
  • Added the ability to Add/Edit/Delete memory book information in NAVI mode (FTA-750L only)
  • Added channel frequency to waypoint information in NAVI mode (FTA-750L only)

The YAESU FTA-750L Combines tradition with innovation. Born from a history of high quality communications the FTA-750L now includes a 66 channel GPS receiver for reliable navigation. Boasting an oversize full dot matrix LCD display, the FTA-750L Airband Transceiver / GPS provides full communication on the Aircraft communications Band and additionally provides VOR and ILS navigation features on the “NAV” band, and waypoint navigation with the built in GPS receiver. The FTA-750L includes NOAA weather band monitoring and the capability of programming up to 200 memory channels with a quick and easy channel recall feature. The brand new easy to operate menu system is icon driven making it simple to navigate through all of the powerful features this transceiver / GPS has to offer. Additionally the FTA-750L can easily be reprogrammed in minutes using the optional PC Programming software and the supplied USB programming cable.

Features
• 5 Watts TX Output Power
• Huge 1.7” x 1.7” Full-Dot Matrix Display (160 x 160 dots)
• ILS Navigation Display (Localizer and Glide Slope)
• VOR Navigation Display
• Easy to operate menu system
• Integrated 66 Channel WAAS GPS receiver
• Waypoint Navigation
• GPS Position Logging
• NOAA Weather Channel Receive (U.S.A. Version Only)
• NOAA Weather Alert (U.S.A. Version Only)
• 200 Memory Channels with 15 alphanumeric characters
• Back-lit Keypad and Display
• Water Protection – IPX5 Rating
• Loud Audio (800 mW)
• High-Capacity Li-Ion Battery Pack (7.4 V 1800 mAh)
• Alkaline Battery Tray (AA x 6)

 

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Quickie – Aircraft of the month

/ Spencer Gould

This months aircraft is the Quickie, Q2 & Q200.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_Quickie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quickie_Aircraft

One of my EAA chapter 203 friends & former co-worker Kevin Sheely built one and has been flying it for years. The craftsmanship is immaculate and many of the design features are very unique. You can read more about his aircraft on the chapter 203 web site, formatting of this page you have to scroll about half way down before it starts.

http://eaa203.com/quickie_q200.htm

I’ve also seen a single seat version built and flown buy a very thin man under the age of 20.

Surprisingly the EAA web site does not have a page dedicated to the Quickie?

The original Quickie was designed by Burt Rutan in the 70’s. Gene Sheehan & Tom Jewett created a 2 seat-er based on Rutan’s work. The original company is gone however quick heads has taken up the support for the aircraft.

The aircraft is very compact (like Pitts Special compact) while being very fast and fuel efficient.

http://www.quickheads.com/

You can still buy plans for both the single seat & 2 seat versions on the site at low cost. The kit version had a pre-molded fuselage, with plans its built from templates.  Quickheads also offers CNC cut foam cores and hardware packages.

Now for some videos:

There are some RC options as well for the Quickie.

1982 RCM plan for the single seat-er from outerzone with a 55″ W.S.

QAC Quickie (oz8746) by Ray Jennings from RCMplans 1982 - model pic

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=8746

https://www.airagestore.com/plans/rc-planes/1-4-scale-quickie.html

 

 

7544 fiberglass on sale till the end of the month at Thayercraft

/ Spencer Gould

I Got an email from Steve at Thayercraft that they have 7544 fiberglass on sale till the end of the month

7544 is a great option for molds, Boats and Cars

Between now and June 1st get 25% off 5 yard rolls of soft Volan finished 18 ounce per square yard, 38″ wide, boat and tooling type fiberglass cloth style 7544. This heavy cloth is nice and flexible and works with any resin – Epoxy, Polyester or Vinyl Ester. Buy a 5 yard roll for just $48.44 and pay with PayPal and get Free UPS ground Shipping to any of the 48 continental United States.

Lean more at https://www.thayercraft.com/18-oz-7544.html

Check out Thayercraft’s lineup of unique fiberglass cloth styles.

Miraco interconnect – company spotlight

/ Spencer Gould

I get e-mails all the time for different products generated likely from mailing list. However this company and service caught my eye. Miraco makes custom and COTS electrical signal and power assemblies and circuits for different needs and industries.

https://www.miracoinc.com

sales@miracoinc.com

They are located in Manchester New Hampshire USA 🇺🇸

It’s great to see a domestic source that produces custom electrical components particularly on the east coast.

If your in the market for such components I would check them out.