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Affordaplane

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Affordaplane
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Affordaplane Aircraft
Designer Dave Edwards[1]
First flight 2001
Introduction 2001
Status Plans available
Number built Five registered with FAA[2]

Affordaplane

[edit] The Affordaplane is a single-seat ultralight aircraft, first designed and introduced in 1999 by Dave Edwards. Known for its simplicity and affordability, it is an American plans-built, high wing, strut-braced, single engine, tractor configuration, conventional landing gear equipped ultralight aircraft for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules. The plans claim it can be built out of readily sourced and inexpensive materials using common tools in 150 to 250 hours construction time.The Affordaplane has gained a reputation as one of the most accessible aircraft for homebuilders interested in ultralight aviation.

Design and Construction

[edit] The Affordaplane’s construction uses aluminum tubing connected with bolts, avoiding the need for welding. This makes the aircraft buildable with standard home tools. Builders typically cover the airframe with Dacron fabric, which can be easily shrunk and painted. The aircraft's modular design and step-by-step construction plans (which span 173 pages) provide clear guidance, allowing many enthusiasts to complete large sections of the build over a few weekends

ByDanJohnson.com . The aircraft is lightweight and designed to meet FAA Part 103 ultralight rules, which means no pilot license or aircraft registration is required in the United States, further contributing to its appeal

ByDanJohnson.com .

Community and Builder Support

[edit] The Affordaplane has fostered a vibrant and growing community of builders. One of the primary hubs for this community is the Affordaplane Ultralight Adventures Facebook Group, which has over 12,000 members. This group serves as a support network for builders, where members exchange advice, tips, and personal experiences. Many builders in the group customize their Affordaplanes with modifications like enclosed cockpits or custom paint schemes

Barnstormers

Notable Contributors

[edit] A prominent figure associated with the Affordaplane is one builder, Terry Adair, who is widely regarded as a goto experienced builder of the aircraft. Adair’s work has been supported and popularized by figures in the aviation community, including Jon Croke, a respected aviation publisher who has highlighted the Affordaplane in various media​.

ByDanJohnson.com

Affordaplanestore.com

[edit] A key resource for builders is affordaplanestore.com, which provides specialized parts, hardware, and accessories specifically for the Affordaplane. They offer essential components, including aircraft bolts, wing brackets, precut gussets and fabric coverings, simplifying the sourcing process for builders and making it a one-stop shop for Affordaplane construction​.

Barnstormers

External Recognition

[edit] The Affordaplane has been widely recognized in the ultralight aircraft community. Aviation experts such as Dan Johnson and Jon Croke have featured the Affordaplane on their platforms, praising its affordability and ease of construction for aspiring pilots

ByDanJohnson.com References

  1. ByDanJohnson.com. "Affordaplane: A Gateway to Affordable Flying." ByDanJohnson.com​.
  2. Jon Croke. "Ultralight Flying Magazine." JonCroke.com​.
  3. Affordaplanestore.com. "Parts and Accessories for Affordaplane." Affordaplanestore.com​.
  4. Facebook Group. "Affordaplane Ultralight Adventures," Affordaplane Facebook Group​.

Design and development

The Affordaplane is constructed of an 6061 T-6 aluminum tube fuselage and other structural components, using both square and round aluminum tube. Wings are a "ladder-type" cross-brace structure supported by struts and covered in doped fabric. Builders have the option of constructing the ribs out of aluminum tube or rigid foam. Instead of welding, structural components are attached with riveted or bolted aluminum gussets. The cockpit is exposed with a plexiglass or Lexan windshield. The controls are conventional 3-axis.[citation needed]

When built as a Part 103 ultralight, the aircraft is intended to be powered by a 26 hp (19 kW) Rotax 277, 35 hp (26 kW) Rotax 377, or similar engine. Heavier and more powerful engines including the Rotax 503 may also be used, but will result in exceeding the FAR Part 103 less than 254 pound (115 kg) empty weight limit, if the aircraft is otherwise built as designed. The plans recommend Rotax engines, but the Half VW, Kawasaki 340 and Kawasaki 440 have also been used.[3]

The Affordaplane has a unique single acting aileron control surface approximately the entire length of the wing. Some builders have configured these as flaperons but the plans do not include details for this modification.[4]

Variants

The plans are drawn as a single-seat version. At least one builder has constructed a two-seat, tandem version.[5]

Specifications (ultralight configuration)

Data from Ultralight News,[1] Pilot Mix.[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one (ultralight configuration)
  • Length: 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m)
  • Wingspan: 27 ft 5 in (8.36 m)
  • Height: 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m) varies by main landing gear wheel diameter
  • Wing area: 123 sq ft (11.4 m2)
  • Empty weight: 254 lb (115 kg)
  • Gross weight: 540 lb (245 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 US gallons (19 litres)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 277 2-stroke gasoline, 26 hp (19 kW)
  • Propellers: 2, 3, or 4-bladed composite (preferred) or wood (prop varies by builder configuration)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 63 mph (101 km/h, 55 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 55 mph (89 km/h, 48 kn)
  • Stall speed: 26 mph (42 km/h, 23 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 75 mph (121 km/h, 65 kn)
  • Range: 150 mi (240 km, 130 nmi) estimated
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m) estimated
  • Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s) estimated
  • Wing loading: 4.39 lb/sq ft (21.4 kg/m2) Part 103 compliant at MTOW

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ a b "Affordaplane ultralight". www.ultralightnews.com. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  2. ^ "Light Planes Light Aircraft Database". lightplanes.org. Archived from the original on April 30, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Affordaplane - An Affordable Aircraft! - Light Aircraft DB & Sales". pilotmix.com. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  4. ^ "Control System". myultralightpics.tripod.com. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  5. ^ "Affordaplane Aircraft Affordaplane Light Sport Aircraft ultralight airplane Photo And Video Gallery". affordaplane.com. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
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