Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the aeroplanes made from?
A. They
are constructed from aluminium alloy tubes, bolted and pop-riveted together with
gusset plates, and with the airframe covered in lightweight doped fabric. There
is no woodwork or fibre-glassing needed on either aeroplane.
Q. What do I get in the kit?
A. The kit contents vary
slightly, but in the Dream Classic kit you will find pre-bent airframe tubes,
pre-cut plates and gussets, all hardware (nuts, bolts, eye-bolts, rod-end
bearings, wire rope, swages, thimbles, tube inserts, pop-rivets, hinges, clevis
pins), seat, fabric, fabric cement, filler, bungee cord, wheels, tyres, tubes,
tailwheel, drawings, and a build DVD. The Eindecker airframe kit has all of this
but also includes a metal fuel tank. There are extras available such
as a, gun, wheel covers, we can advise and assist with instruments and
other hardware.
Q. Your kits seem more expensive than the exchange rate
would justify, why is this?
A. Very simply because what you get from us
is a whole lot more than we receive in the bare kit from the USA, which is just
500 feet of straight alloy tubing and bags of hardware. So as well as
pre-checking your kit for any missing items, we supply all tubes pre-bent, most
brackets cut and pre-formed, full size CAD drawings to build from of the
major assemblies (except wings, which are to big for printers), a comprehensive
inventory list with cross-references, an illustrated Build Manual (as well as
the A-A build video), updated and cross-referenced working draings, which are
altered (by GSAL) to reflect the changes to the UK version, and of course it
includes shipping and import costs. There is a huge time-saving for the
customer in having all the parts jig-bent at delivery. Also included in
our price is total product support during build from a UK source, and we
actively encourage potential customers to visit the works, talk to us and see
how the aeroplane goes together.
Q. Can you guarantee
that the aeroplanes you offer can be constructed to weigh less than
115kg?
A. Yes, the first aircraft built by a customer and fly
weighed in at 114.7kg, using a SOLO V-Twin four stroke 40hp engine, and our UK
prototype is 113.8 with the MZ201 2 cylinder 2-stroke. The Dream
Classic is a much lighter and simpler aeroplane altogether, and will easily meet
the requirements.
Q. You seem to be taking a very long
time to complete the prototype, why is it taking so long, is it difficult to
build?
A. No, it is in fact very easy to build, but one of the
major issues to come out of the first SPLASH show in 2007 was that the UK market
expects an airframe kit with all tubes supplied pre-bent. Since the kit arrives
at our workshop from the USA as 500 feet of straight tubing, this meant we
needed to develop and make production tooling and bending jigs first, and then
make the prototype airframe from them to prove that they work. This takes
a lot of time to get right, but it does mean that what you see is what you get,
it also hugely speeds up customer build time. We are continuously pursuing
new ways to reduce weight, as this is of paramount importance.
Q. What is a realistic build time?
A. It depends on
your skill and dedication levels, but we reckon about 450 man-hours to complete
the basic aircraft ready for flight. Any embellishments (nice instrument panel,
fancy colour scheme, fitting a gun, etc.) can add to this. The
pre-bent kits are simple to build and need no special tools. One of our
customers built his whole aircraft in well under a year and it can be seen
flying on our media page.
Q. Are the aircraft capable of
being de-rigged easily for storage, transport, etc.?
A. At the
moment there is no facility for one person to de-rig the aircraft,
however we are well aware that this is a very desirable feature for the
UK. GSAL have designed and incorporated an aileron 'quick-disconnect'
feature within the 115kg weight constraint, which takes two people about 30
mins. GSAL need to de-rig the demonstrator on a regular basis for
shows and the modification makes this much quicker. The sub-115kg
rules, of course allow the builder to devise their own de-rigging
capability.
Q. Some information I have seen so far
on the Eindecker says it has a Rotax 503 in it, so why are you only supplying a
Rotax 447 or MZ201 with the kits?
A. Partly due to the weight
saving (about 5kg) and partly because in this country you don't need a 503. Much
of the American continent is actually a high plateau with some high summer
temperatures to go with it, so their density altitude is usually way higher than
ours, so they need the power. In this cold and low-lying country, we don't, and
the 447 and MZ201 is amply powerful enough.
Q. You
are offering an MZ201 with the kits. Can I use a 447 or a 503 if
I want to?
A. Yes, but we have concern that using the 503 will
take the aircraft over the weight limit and you may also need tail ballast to
bring the Centre of Gravity back into the right place. It is your responsibility
to ensure that your aircraft remains within the weight limit of 115kg empty,
which will be more difficult with the bigger engines.
Q.
You mention 'MZ' engines in your sales literature. What are these
engines?
A. MZ engines are the 2-stroke range designed by Michael
Zanzoterra in Italy, but now in production and marketed by Compact Radial
Engines in Canada. They make a 45hp in-line two-stroke (MZ201) which we offer as
standard fit in the Eindecker and as an alternative to the Rotax 447/503,
and we are now Agents for the MZ range of engines in the UK and
Europe.
Q. How do I get in it? I would like one but am not as young
or agile as I used to be!
A. More than one of the GSAL Directors has the
same problem and we are designing a small folding ladder which will aid entry
over the wing trailing edge and which can then be folded up and carried in the
cockpit. It will not count as part of the empty weight as it is not
permanently attached to the aircraft. They had the same problem in 1915
and entry was generally via a ladder.
Q. Can you supply
other aircraft in the Airdrome Airplanes range, for example, the full-size
Fokker DR.1 or the Bleriot?
A. As the UK Agent, we can certainly
supply you with any aircraft in the Airdrome Aeroplanes range, however anything
other than the two we advertise would need to be cleared through the Light
Aviation Association (ex-PFA), as standard home-built kits, and be certified to
(probably) the CS-VLA code. We currently do not have the resources to undertake
this certification work. You would also have to talk to LAA before contemplating
purchasing and building such a kit. It is possible that if EASA LSA (Light Sport
Aircraft) happens, then an easier path to Certification for the bigger kits
might open up.
Q. I see on the Airdrome Aeroplanes
website that somebody has made a Morane Parasol. Can I modify an Eindecker kit
to make it look like a French Morane G or H ?
A. Yes, under
sub-115kg rules you are able to do this, provided you remain within the empty
weight and wing loading criteria, but remember that you remain responsible
for the Airworthiness of the aircraft, which includes any alterations to the
basic design.
Q. Will I have to have my aircraft
inspected and weighed after I have built it?
A. In theory no, as
we will have supplied a 'standard' weight for each aircraft type to the BMAA,
and you are your own inspector. We would always recommend that you have someone
with aircraft knowledge to look over your aeroplane before you fly it, but it is
not a legal requirement. You must also establish the Centre of Gravity of your
aircraft before you fly it.
Q. I have a suitable engine
available already. Can I buy a kit without the engine?
A. Yes.
Q. The spoked wheels look fantastic and I would like to
use them on my own project. Do you sell them separately?
A. Yes,
in two sizes, 20" and 25" diameter, but the larger size is to special order
only.
Q. Will the Dream Classic modify into a Demoiselle
look-alike?
A. Probably. You tell us! Sub-115kg allows you to make
major changes (or even design your own aircraft completely) but you must ensure
it is safe to fly, and BMAA and LAA recommend ensuring that all these aircraft
comply with the major requirements of Section 'S'.
Q.
Can I use any other engine if I want to, for instance the SOLO V-Twin or Robin
engine?
A. Yes, provided it has sufficient power (around 30hp
minimum), and you can keep within the 115kg empty weight limit.
Q. Will anybody check what I have built, like a BMAA inspector or
somebody?
A. Not formally, as no checks are required, but Grass
Strip Aviation strongly recommends that you have someone qualified to look over
your aircraft before you fly it, as does BMAA and LAA. An inspector from either
organisation will be pleased to advise you, but his signature is not required on
any paperwork.
Q. Do I need to register the
aircraft?
A. Yes, the CAA will issue a standard G-xxxx
registration mark. An exemption can be requested from the CAA for the Eindecker
so that it may show WW1 German markings rather than the UK Civil Registration.
In addition, the aircraft must be registered as a sub-115kg aeroplane with the
BMAA.
Q. Do I need a pilot's licence to fly
it?
A. Yes, the minimum requirement is a UK National Private
Pilots Licence
(NPPL) for Microlights.
Q How do I
learn to fly a single-seater?
A. This is a difficult question to
answer but can best be summed up by saying
"When you are ready". Whilst that
doesn't sound very helpful, flying any single-seat aeroplane is a step up in
your flying career (Tiger Moth, Miles Master, Spitfire; or Thruster, Eurostar,
Eindecker) and you just have to decide mentally that you are ready to take sole
responsibility for the flight and go for it. These aeroplanes are very simple
and very conventional in terms of their controls, and you should find no
difficulty in flying them, other than the fact that they both have
tail-wheels.
Q. Can I fly the Company Demonstrator aircraft before I buy
one?
A. Regrettably the answer to this is 'NO' partly for the reasons
given in the previous FAQ, and partly because our Company Insurance won't allow
it. This is a common issue on single-seat aircraft, but it hasn't put
anyone off yet.
Q. Can I visit the works and see how the aircraft is
built?
A. Yes, we actively encourage potential buyers to visit the works,
as we can answer all your questions on how the aircraft is built and you can see
what building it entails.
Q. Can I buy one right now?
A. Yes,
although we have sold out of our first batch of Eindecker kits, there is a 16
week wait from receipt of your deposit to delivery of your kit, which allows for
the kit manufacture, shipping, Customs clearance, delivery to GSAL, inventory
checking and pre-bending all the tubes. Due to the rapidly fluctuating
dollar exchange rate we would advise you to phone us for a quote before placing
an order. The price we give you will then be confirmed as soon as we
receive your 50% deposit.
Q. Are the aeroplanes
aerobatic?
A. No, definitely not. No UK
microlight has aerobatic capability or clearance.