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 kit has
all of this but also includes a metal fuel tank and an engine mount.
The options include an engine (of choice), propeller, and basic
instruments (ASI, Altimeter, Compass). There are extras available
such as a gun and wheel covers.
Q. Can you guarantee that the aeroplanes you
offer can be constructed to weigh less than 115kg?
A. Not absolutely until we have completed our first machine, but
we weighed an Eindecker kit complete (i.e. gross weight including
packing and off-cuts) as we took it out of the crate, and we are
comfortable that sub-115kg is achievable. The Dream Classic is a
much lighter and simpler aeroplane altogether, and will easily meet
the requirements.
Q. I had hoped to see a completed Eindecker at
Popham, but you will only have the fuselage and tail. Why is this?
A. One of the major issues to come out of the NEC SPLASH show for
us was that the UK market expects an airframe kit with all the tubes
pre-bent. Since the kit arrives at our workshop from the USA as
200 feet of straight tubing, this meant that we needed to make production
bending jigs first, and then make the prototype airframe from them,
to prove that they work. Whilst this held us back from starting
to build, it does mean that what you see is what you get. It also
hugely speeds up customer build time.
Q. What is a realistic build time?
A. It depends on your skill and dedication levels, but we reckon
about 400 man-hours to complete the basic aircraft ready for flight.
Any embellishments (nice instrument panel, fancy colour scheme,
fitting a gun, etc.) will quickly add to this.
Q. Are the aircraft capable of being de-rigged easily for storage,
transport, etc.?
A. At the moment there is no facility for de-rigging the aircraft,
however we are well aware that this is a very desirable feature
for the UK and we will see how the wing build goes as to whether
de-rigging would be feasible (and safe) within the 115 kg weight
constraint. Within the sub-115kg rules, of course, it is perfectly
possible for the builder to devise his own de-rigging capability.
Q. All the 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 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 is amply powerful enough.
Q. You are supplying a Rotax 447 with the kits.
Can I use a 503 or a 532 if I want to?
A. Yes, but be aware that you will be adding both weight and power
that you don't need, 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.
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 (MZ-201) which we
offer as an alternative to the Rotax 447, and we are now the Agency
for the MZ range of engines in the UK and Europe.
Q. Can you supply other aircraft in the Airdrome
Airplanes range, for example, the full-size Fokker DR.1?
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, the kit prices are quoted with and without an engine.
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?
A. Yes, provided it has sufficient power (around 30hp minimum),
and you can keep within the 115kg empty weight limit. You would
also be responsible for arranging a Noise Test with the CAA.
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. Are the aeroplanes aerobatic?
A. No, definitely not. No UK microlight has aerobatic capability
or clearance.