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First Open Source Airplane Could Cost Just $15,000

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Re: First Open Source Airplane Could Cost Just $15,000

#11

Post by emiliobumachar »

rorrr2 wrote: post #9
ErsatzVerkehr wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the United States, the restrictions on an "ultralight" are rather severe: > The governing regulation in the United States is FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles, which specifies a powered "ultralight" as a single seat vehicle of less than 5 US gallons (19 L) fuel capacity, empty weight of less than 254 pounds (115 kg), a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h or 64 mph), and a maximum stall speed not exceeding 24 knots (45 km/h…

My point was, the biggest barrier to flying is not the price of the plane, but the desire to jump through all the hoops to get the license, to spend time/money on maintenance, to spend time on driving to the airport.

Don't forget the relatively high risk of general aviation.

Re: First Open Source Airplane Could Cost Just $15,000

#13

Post by cjrp »

techsupporter wrote: post #3
gokhanceliker wrote: post #2

The final cost of an actual airplane usually covers a lot of testing before going to market. It involves special test pilots that are ready to risk their lives while testing it. If we can find/fund a test pilot for this project, the price point can become a reality.

It's a light sport aircraft, akin to a "kit plane," so the person who builds it is the test pilot who is holding the risk.

But the design itself has been tested by the manufacturer, it's just your implementation that's untested.

Re: First Open Source Airplane Could Cost Just $15,000

#14

Post by ars »

ErsatzVerkehr wrote: post #7
rorrr2 wrote: post #6

For those unfamiliar with planes, you can buy a used ultralite plane for under $10,000 in working condition. Something that has been proven to fly reliably.

In the United States, the restrictions on an "ultralight" are rather severe: > The governing regulation in the United States is FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles, which specifies a powered "ultralight" as a single seat vehicle of less than 5 US gallons (19 L) fuel capacity, empty weight of less than 254 pounds (115 kg), a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h or 64 mph), and a maximum stall speed not exceeding 24 knots (45 km/h…

This is intended to be a light sport aircraft so the comparison is not completely valid.

LSA has 2 seats, take off weight 1300lb (600kb), max speed 120knots (138 mph), no specific fuel limit.

An ultralight is good for fun, but not practical for transportation. An LSA can be used as transportation - it's about 3 times faster than a car.

Re: First Open Source Airplane Could Cost Just $15,000

#15

Post by _neil »

emiliobumachar wrote: post #12
worldimperator wrote: post #10

If bugfixing those planes will be as rigidly pursued as with some open source software, maybe the phrase 'buying a ticket' gets a totally new meaning ;-)

I did not get it. Please clarify.

I think it refers to the Hunter S. Thompson quote:

"No sympathy for the devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride."

Basically meaning you may be getting in over your head, but you'll probably have a good story to tell if you don't end up dead. Similar to the idiom, "in for a penny, in for a pound."

Re: First Open Source Airplane Could Cost Just $15,000

#16

Post by glabifrons »

I'd argue that the OpenEZ/OpenCanard project was the first... sadly it appears to be gone (the website, anyways).

This sheds some light on it: http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/general-experimenta...

Note: This was based on the LongEZ, originally designed by Burt Rutan... a pioneer in homebuilt/plansbuilt aircraft (and the winner of the Ansari X-Prize).

Re: First Open Source Airplane Could Cost Just $15,000

#17

Post by TheAnimus »

cjrp wrote: post #13
techsupporter wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a light sport aircraft, akin to a "kit plane," so the person who builds it is the test pilot who is holding the risk.

But the design itself has been tested by the manufacturer, it's just your implementation that's untested.

Also you will need FAA inspection once it's been built if you are in the US.

In the UK you need to get a permit to fly, as you can't get a CoA (Certificate of Airworthiness) because its an unlicensed build.

Apparently (I've no first hand experience) these are rather thorough.

However my concern with this is the traceability of parts and such. There is a reason why a single rivnut costs a fortune for a plane.

Re: First Open Source Airplane Could Cost Just $15,000

#18

Post by supernovae »

emiliobumachar wrote: post #11
rorrr2 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My point was, the biggest barrier to flying is not the price of the plane, but the desire to jump through all the hoops to get the license, to spend time/money on maintenance, to spend time on driving to the airport.

Don't forget the relatively high risk of general aviation.

It's not a high risk mode of transportation.. It's about as "deadly" as driving a motorcycle. Sadly, if people paid more attention to motorcycles on the road, then motorcycles would be exponentially safer and if people stopped flying into bad weather then airplanes would be exponentially safer. With that being said, there is no "Relatively high risk of general aviation".. there are lots of careers and hobbies with a much higher risk.. in fact, if I remember correctly more people die of boating accidents going out on a lake than GA aircraft.

Re: First Open Source Airplane Could Cost Just $15,000

#19

Post by omegant »

alixr wrote: post #5

This is great, I've been wanting to get into aviation for some time but the barrier of entry is steep. Using their plans as a guideline for building an ultralight instead of a light sport aircraft would reduce the cost dramatically. Ultralights have much lower limits but don't require any formal training/licenses. In the end you could probably build an ultralight for the cost of a pilots license.

Ultralight aircrafts are amazing and there are some of them more capable than a cessna in almost every aspect. But if you are going that route, please take in to account that they are very light and they flight very low, so you don't have too much energy to get hold in case of engine failure or bad weather (energy is EVERYTHING for a plane). There are too many people dying on light aircraft because they think they can fly like a top gun at 80 knots and 50' from the ground. Just look for a good instructor and if possible tale a couple of hours of aerobatic training, it will teach you how aircraft respond on low energy situations.
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