1. Art and Diseño

The newsletter of the Sport Aircraft Association (Auckland Chapter) Inc
Sport Aviator
January 2015
www.saaauckland.org.nz
Committee 2014
Contents
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Evan Wheeler
09 238 6081
027 924 807
Warren Sly
09 534 2364
021 266 0585
09 576 3676
4
From the Editor
5
Chapter News
19 Mystery Aircraft Quiz
20 In The News & On The Web
23 Upcoming Events
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
David CampbellMorrison
09 817 4782
Presidents Report
18 Team RV at Masterton
09 534 2364
021 266 0585
Peter Armstrong
3
16 Round the World Visitor
Gordon Sanders
Don Wilkinson
09 576 5009
Committee 2014
14 An Unusual Arrangement
Gavin Magill
09 298 7174
027 291 0525
Nev Hay
09 521 7077
2
Next Meeting
WHEN:
Thursday 29th Jan 2015
WHERE:
Auckland Society of Model
Engineers Club Rooms
Peterson Road, Panmure Basin
Mt Wellington
OPERATIONAL POSITIONS
Safety Officer
Norm Bartlett
09 528 0108
Technical Library
Sandy Wilson
09 536 4018
Tool Library
Manfred Scherbius
09 298 0221
021 081 365 03
Newsletter Editor
Gavin Magill
027 291 0525
Catering
Carl Pudney
027 430 5303
Airspace Users Group
Steve Chilcott
09 625 5273
SPEAKER:
TBA.
TECHNICAL MENTORS
Wood & Fabric Mike Tunnicliffe 09 237 8173
Composites
Alistair McLachlan 299 2775
Metal Skin
Kevin Paulsen
296 5125
Avionics
Liviu Filimon
268 1199
FRONT PAGE
Team RV line up at Hood Aerodrome for their Wings
Over Wairarapa aerobatics display on the airshow
practice day, Friday 16th Jan. Left To Right. Stephen
Jones (ZK-NVS), Kevin Paulsen (ZK-PRV), Des Barry
(ZK-DES) and David Wilkinson (ZK-WLK)
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
3
President’s Report
Hi Everyone
The festive season is now behind us with the days growing shorter and the leaves on
the liquid amber starting to change colour already. We have certainly had one of the
best holiday period weather patterns for many years. I trust many an hour has been
spent drilling holes in the sky by those who have been able to get out and about.
I spent a week before Xmas rectifying some cracking of fuselage frames on my drag
brace strut of the under carriage. Under the skilful direction of Alastair McLachlan we
made up new doublers and installed these really strengthening up this area of the
airframe. The original design could certainly be improved on without much effort and
eliminate this potential for a collapsed landing gear as has occurred a number of times
in the USA.
So with this issue resolved it was back in the air and enjoy however the ignition system
decided better and started to run rough. Having just completed the 500 hour slick
magneto I thought this to be where the problem lay. A check of the wiring harness on
a test rig found a pinhole in an ignition lead and subsequent no spark occasionally.
$690 later and problem solved, so now getting ready for the biannual sojourn to the
South Island and Great plains Fly In via Healthy bastards flying competitions at Omaka
(to watch only).
Have just finished meeting with CAA policy staff in Wellington in support of a NZSAA
submission from Bruce Cooke regarding compliance costs in the initial certification of
newly built aircraft. We expect to be advised of further progress within the next
month.
Had a quick visit to Te Papa to check out the Air NZ 75th anniversary exhibition
currently on. I found that museums are not just a place where old fossils and things
are displayed when I came upon a photo and brief article regarding Nev Hay which I
have forwarded on for Gavin to include in this month’s newsletter.
That’s it from me and hope to see you at the Great Plains, Ashburton Waitangi
weekend.
Cheers
Evan
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
4
From The Editor
As an organisation we owe these guys a huge
vote of thanks for their commitment to the
cause. David commented to me just prior to
the weekend that he had accumulated over 15
hours of practice in the two weeks leading up
to the event. Well done guys.
Hi Everyone
Happy belated New Year.
Hopefully you all enjoyed
your break and those of
you building have made
progress on your projects
while those flying have
gotten out and about. I
have managed to get to a couple of events
over the break and have seen members at
both so can only assume most have.
It should also be noted that the Wairarapa
Amateur Aircraft Builders club was also out in
force with a great ground display as well.
It has already been a very eventful summer
with a number of incidents occurring round
the country in the last month or so. Sadly
the most recent was a fatal accident outside
of Timaru however the rest have thankfully
just resulted in bent or submerged
airframes. I am sure everyone in the Chapter
was greatly relieved to hear that Auckland
Chapter members Kevin Paulsen and Alan
Butler and Kevin’s wife Leanne all managed
to escape their watery landing at Raglan.
<Steps onto soapbox>
Alan and Kevin’s emergency was probably a
very timely reminder that EFATO is a very
real threat to all of us who fly for recreation
and we should all be regularly practising our
emergency drills for this situation. I know I
am guilty of not practising these skills
anywhere near as often as I should be. So it
may be time to set aside a flight or two just
to practice these skills. It is also probably
wouldn’t hurt to ask an instructor along to
brush up your skills as well.
<Steps off soapbox>
One of the events I have managed to get to
during January was the Wings Over
Wairarapa Airshow at Masterton. I took the
easy option and let a Jetstar pilot fly me to
Wellington and then drove over to Masterton.
The weather mostly cooperated however the
gusty winds over the weekend did sadly
make it too risky for the WWI aircraft to fly.
That said, SAANZ was represented in very
fine form by Team RV with Kevin Paulsen,
David Wilkinson, Les Barry and Steven Jones
performing an excellent four ship aerobatic
routine which wowed the crowds.
SAANZ Auckland
The next big event on the SAA calendar is of
course the Great Plains Fly-In at Ashburton. If
you are intending to go and haven’t yet
registered then please register with the
Ashburton Aviation Museum using the
registration form which is available on the
SAANZ website under the Events page.
The mystery aircraft in the November
newsletter was not guessed by anyone so I
think Barry Gillingwater earns the chocky fish
for coming up with an aircraft which could not
be identified. The aircraft in question was in
fact a Tupolev SB2 Katyushka from WWII.
This month’s mystery aircraft is provided by
Steve Stride. Steve is a colleague of Don
Wilkinson who is based in the UK and gets
sent our newsletter by Don each month. He
thought we might like to have a go at
identifying the aircraft in the image he sent
through. Have a go and send me your answer
by email.
I hope you enjoy the newsletter and I will
likely see you on Thursday evening at the
Model Engineers Clubrooms.
Cheers
Gavin
Sport Aviator
January 2015
5
Chapter News
P R O J E C T
U P D A T E
P R O J E C T
Ken Watters – Vans RV-7
U P D A T E
Gary Briggs – Sonex #1531
By Ken Watters
By Gary Briggs
Hi Gavin,
It’s starting to look like a plane at last.
I have fitted all the tail feathers and taken
them off again mainly for easier access to
the top skins for riveting but also to reduce
the size and weight for getting the plane
out the first floor window one of these days.
The rear top skins are now almost complete
and I will be moving on to the cabin now to
do the floors and side panels.
Regards, Ken.
Happy New Year to all I hope all had a good
break, my progress has been a bit slow in
the last few weeks.
I have now completed the "Aft spar carry
through" and it is now time to fit the wings,
and pick up the holes in the fuselage. For
the Sonex builders this can be a very
frustrating exercise, but I am tackling this
task a bit differently. I have final drilled the
main spar mount holes to 3/8" before the
wings were assembled where the plans
require a 1/4" pilot hole. I have made a
3/8" bush with a 1/4" ID hole to guide the
1/4" pilot drill, then take it out to 3/8"
Cheers
Gary
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
6
Chapter News
P R O J E C T
N E W S
Alistair’s Levitation Machine
By Gordon Sanders
The Project
Alistair McLachlan’s latest means of
levitation is rather different from most
member’s projects but there are
similarities. Like an aircraft it has a prop,
aerodynamic control surfaces, important C
of G limits, and relies on a combination of
lift and thrust for performance. It is one of a
range of similar vehicles designed by
aerospace engineer Barry Palmer, who
designed and flew one of the first powered
trikes in 1967 and followed on with
improved models, then Florida style air
boats and surface effect vehicles or
skimmers, commonly known as hovercraft.
The Sevtec Surveyor can be built as either a
14ft or 16ft long version, both being 7ft
wide when the skirt is deflated, and as a
single or twin engine model. Alistair has
chosen the 14ft single engine version and,
at the designer’s recommendation, is
building it ‘to the plans’ not modifying a
proven design. That can be done later if
desired after experience is gained.
It is constructed of urethane foam sheets
glued together and fibreglassed inside and
out using polyester resin. This creates a
strong hull with considerable reserve
buoyancy. Wood blocks are included only
where hard points are required for
attachments.
Power is provided by a 25~28hp vertical
shaft motor as used in ride-on lawnmowers.
While the originals used either B&S
Vanguard or Kohler motors Alistair is using
a locally purchased 25hp after-market
replacement one. The lift fan attaches
directly to the motor drive shaft while
power to the thrust prop is provided by a Vbelt routed over pulleys, as clearly seen in
the photos. The white nylon blocks that the
belt passes through prevent the long runs
flapping. Obtaining a suitable muffler was a
problem as little or nothing suitable is
available ‘off the shelf’ with the correct pipe
diameter. However a local manufacturer
came to the party with good results.
The steel frame supporting the engine,
propeller and associated components is just
SAANZ Auckland
regular mild steel given a good anticorrosive paint job. Similarly the frame for
the prop guard is mild steel tube, nothing
fancy, just practical, as is everything about
the craft.
The first engine runs were successfully
completed earlier this month and finishing
tasks, including tidying up the wiring, are
under way. Completion is scheduled for
Saturday – just deciding which one.
Motor, lift fan and prop drive
Background
Some time back Alistair and I, with input
from DCM and Alfred, were exploring the
idea of building hovercraft as build projects
and an interesting way of exploring this
country’s vast selection of interesting
coastal and inland waterways. Similar to
choosing which aircraft to build, the first
step was to define the mission or missions,
then see how well different makes and
models matched up. We wanted to be able
to carry a minimum of two people, plus
camping and other equipment, with a good
degree of safety in a range of weather
conditions.
We found that a number of the smaller
hovercraft were roughly the equivalent of
jet skis. Over powered and go like stink, OK
for racing but of little practical use.
Sport Aviator
January 2015
7
Chapter News
P R O J E C T
N E W S
Alistair’s Levitation Machine – Cont
By Gordon Sanders
They also often used Rotax engines, making
them expensive to build and operate. WIG
(Wing In Ground-effect) vehicles aroused
initial interest but were discarded as
potentially being fun but unsuitable for
mission. Other craft had poor rough water
performance, often contributed to by front
mounted lift fans.
The Sevtec hovercraft models could be
likened to range of small to medium
launches with proven performance in open
water, including a 1,400 mile trip from
Washington State to Alaska in the 20ft
Explorer and a 460 mile trip over the big
waters of Puget Sound in a 16hp 12½ ft
Vanguard. Unfortunately the Sevtec craft
are not the sexiest looking ones, but
reliable performance trumps looks any day.
Top speed is adequate. While it naturally
varies with engine power, load carried, and
surface being traversed (smooth ice is the
fastest, uneven ground or very rough water
the slowest) Alistair’s Surveyor should
achieve better than 50kph over smooth
water, lightly loaded.
As with selecting an aircraft, cost of owning
and operating had to be considered. The
majority of materials for construction of the
Sevtec range can be purchased locally,
including the required density and thickness
(or nearest metric equivalent) of urethane
foam from Forman Insulation. Special parts,
and even complete kits, are available from
the USA at reasonable prices.
A suitable transport trailer can be locally
manufactured. Alistair is investigating the
use of a modified jet ski one. Being
trailerable also minimises storage costs,
just take it home and put a cover over it. A
lawn mower motor of 25~30hp is a lot
cheaper to buy, run and maintain than a
Rotax or similar motor and, being a marine
craft, regulatory compliance costs are
minimal to non-existent for both craft and
operator.
There is plenty of info on the web relating
to building and operating Sevtec craft. Just
Google ‘Sevtec Hovercraft’ or something
similar and follow your nose.
SAANZ Auckland
The Surveyor in its temporary home
Lastly, the reason Alistair is nearly ready to
launch while I have yet to start building
mine is mainly that I am not allowing
myself to start until I have completed the
major renovations to my house and, being
retired, I am doing all the finishing work
myself, and there’s a lot of it. Still, nearly
there and I’ll get that Code Compliance
Certificate signed off yet!
M E M B E R
U P D A T E
Kevin Paulsen - Team RV Leader
By David Wilkinson
Sport Aviator
January 2015
8
Chapter News
P R O J E C T
U P D A T E
David Grove Hills – Vans RV-4
By David Grove Hills
Work on the RV4 over the last year has
been steady if not meteoric. I shoot myself
in the foot by not being here. Three months
away from home is not conducive to
finishing a project such as this in record
time. Although not aviation related I have
to mention that part of that three months
was a trip to the Isle of Man motorcycle TT
with 65,000 other petrol heads and while
there witnessed the superbike lap record
being taken out by New Zealander Bruce
Anstey, average speed 132.298 mph
(212.913 km/h). On country roads! Yes
these guys are insane. Good to see that he
was recognised in the 2015 New Year's
Honours List.
After uprighting the fuselage, work started
on the rear turtledeck which proved to be
ill-fitting. Frustratingly the only way to
address the problem was to remove the
pre-bent webs on two of the bulkheads, and
rivet on replacements, a suggestion made
in Van's construction manual should
difficulties arise, not me being OTT. David
Wilkinson's timely intervention pointed me
in the direction of a part used on the RV8
which has saved many hours of fabrication.
Vertical and horizontal stabilisers are 90%
complete and fitted. No real problems,
except the area where HS front spar meets
fuselage. There are some half dozen angle
pieces and spacers to be made and one
particular aluminium angle that bolts to the
fuselage longerons is fairly critical in that it
is difficult to maintain specified hole to edge
distances. I am happy with the Mk3 version!
HS front spar/fuselage attach area
Just started canopy frame fitting. The blogs
have proved very helpful in this area.
Suggested mod to ill-fitting bulkheads.
SAANZ Auckland
Start of canopy frame fit.
Sport Aviator
January 2015
9
Chapter News
P R O J E C T
U P D A T E
P R O J E C T
David Grove Hills – Vans RV-4 Cont.
Peter McVinnie – Glastar ZK-OPM
Instead of mating the front canopy frame to
the instrument panel as per manual, it's a
lot easier to mate the instrument panel to
the frame. If I had the skills and composite
knowledge would probably replace the
aluminium frame skins with glass as many
do, although there could be a weight
penalty.
RV8 Instrument panel attach flanges being
fitted to RV 4 bulkheads
Hopefully the next couple of months will see
the fuselage standing on its own two feet as
it were and the first and penultimate wing
fit."
M E M B E R
U P D A T E
Three generations of Wilkinson’s
Joining overhead at Springhill.
David had James in the back.
SAANZ Auckland
U P D A T E
By Peter McVinnie
Hi Gavin,
OPM is flying, and has its Special Category
Amateur Built Airworthiness Certificate,
issued by CAA at 1630 on Christmas Eve! I
am delighted with its docile characteristics
and performance!
I flew her to Matamata yesterday (18 Jan)
to see how the Walsh Memorial Flying
School was going. 72 students and 25
instructors there this year, and all is going
very well with the amazing spell of weather
they have had. About half the ab-initio
students have soloed so far.
Next year is the 50th anniversary of this
wonderful institution, and they are planning
a big reunion. I was on school #4 in 1970 it is quite different now with ATC controlling
the movements on the three parallel 10/28
runways with ALPHA holding points, and
even has ATIS!
It was all uncontrolled in my day, with a lot
of NORDO ops. It was great to mingle with
students and instructors, and see how much
fun and enthusiasm there is amongst
everyone.
Regards,
Peter McVinnie
PS. OPM was N90PM in the States. I
couldn't organise the painter to remove the
N9 whilst reassembling the aircraft, so put a
Kiwi patch over it to leave OPM - I'm
starting to like it!
Sport Aviator
January 2015
10
Chapter News
P R O J E C T
U P D A T E
M E M B E R
U P D A T E
Nev Hay in Te Papa Collection
Nev Hay – Pearce Replica
By Nev Hay (Pictures by Ian Allen)
By Evan Wheeler
Hi all
Some pics of ZK RPT at Masterton Wings
over Wairarapa 17 Jan 2015 by Ian Allen.
I estimate I got to 15-18mph (cross wind
from the left at about 10kts. Temp 29c) and
was ‘blipping’ the engine so I did not go
faster. The wing was fully ‘inflated’ so was
getting good lift and the elevator and
aileron/spoiler were effective. Did not go
faster as I did not know where the C-of-G
was. Lady running alongside starboard wing
is Ivan’s Mudrovcich’s D-in-L and could not
keep up – so it was moving well.
Nev
Hi Gavin
Dropped into Te Papa to kill a few hours
after CAA meeting. The 75th Anniversary
display of Air NZ was on and I came across
this photo.
I always thought a museum was a
storeroom of old fossils and things. Can’t
say that about Nev though.
Subject: Pearce Replica
From: David Wilkinson
This weekend Dad and I went to Warbirds over
Wairarapa. Very good family friend Nev Hay
(well known NZ aviation personality) was doing
high speed runs in this replica of the Pearse
replica. The real engine is on display at the Air
NZ exhibition. Dad says it was in the back
cupboard of his class while he was doing his
training!
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
11
Chapter News
R N Z A F
These skills were built upon, when they
continued to learn in larger, more complex
aircraft, he said.
N E W S
Red Checker Bid Final Goodbye
By Thomas Heaton
Beaton said it was sad to see the "capable
little planes" go, as the Airtrainers gave the
RNZAF's pilots their first taste of military
flying.
The Red Checkers fly in formation for their
finale over Ohakea Air Force Base,
celebrating 16 years’ service.
The planes were also used for aerobatics by
the Red Checkers team, who performed
around the country.
As the new planes take centre stage, the
CT-4E fleet will return to the outfit from
which they were being leased, Pacific
Aerospace.
The new aircraft boasted bigger engines, so
could go a lot higher and a lot further, and
the cockpit configuration had changed,
Beaton said.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force's Red
Checkers have had their swansong.
Seven of the 11 new T-6C aircraft have
been received already; the remaining four
aircraft are expected to arrive mid-2015.
The air force's 13 CT-4E Airtrainers had a
final farewell as they flew over Manawatu
yesterday.
The Airtrainers are being replaced by a new
fleet of 11 Beechcraft T-6C Texan IIs, which
were purchased this year.
Families, former pilots and RNZAF members
watched five of the aircraft fly over Ohakea
Air Force Base, commemorating 16 years of
service.
They were expected to be used for the 2016
wings course.
A competition is being run to rename the
Red Checkers, to better suit the new
aircraft, through the air force's Facebook
page.
Officer commanding the pilot training
school, Squadron Leader Ben Stephens, led
the farewell flyover.
"It was important to recognise the
contribution of the aircraft and share the
experience with the pilot training school
team."
About 190 students learnt to fly the planes
and successfully passed through the
Airtrainer phase of their "wings course".
Commanding officer of flight training Wing
Commander Richard Beaton said the planes
had seen 72,000 flying hours since 1998.
"They have been the training platform for
our pilots to learn day and night flying,
navigation, instrument and formation
flying."
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
12
Chapter News
I N
By Jenny Davies
M E M O R I U M
Ian Paul Davies
By Don Wilkinson
Ian Paul Davis
31 July 1938 - 26 November 2014
The Late Ian Davies was a very active SAA
Member during the time of Pikes Point
Airfield.
He not only built a Bobcat microlight and
half a Quickie Q2 but he and his wife Jenny
were very active in the affairs of Pikes and
the AK chapter at the time.
Both were good to be with and really
involved in many interests in their busy
lives. Ian epitomised the word "innovator".
Adventurous, hard-working and resourceful,
he was predominately a motorcycle buff
from his early years and a fan of the Bert
Munro story.
Ian was on the MCC Community board for
Mangere Bridge and as such proved to be a
challenging critic of Mayor Sir Barry Curtis.
Ian told numerous funny stories of
confrontation with The Mayor, always with a
gleeful laugh when telling.
He was a mechanical engineer with a very
practical view point on many subjects.
He was with a bunch of mates, all on motor
bikes, heading for Invercargill for the Bert
Munro commemoration, something they did
each year, when an apparent sudden heart
attack stopped him south of Queenstown.
He died before he hit an oncoming van.
More than a dozen of his flying friends
attended his funeral along with many
dozens of his motorcycle mates and the
families of his two sons.
Ian's final departure was with the
accompanying roar of some 20 or 30 motor
bike engines. He would have been
laughing.
A terribly sad and sudden loss for many of
us but particularly for Jenny, with whom he
was deeply in love.
Jenny presented the attached reading at
Ian's Funeral with emotion, courage and
dignity.
SAANZ Auckland
When God put Ian on this earth he gave
him 76 years. “Ian”, he said “you need that
much time because you are also going to
have three wives and this will distract you
from some of the tasks ahead. The bonus is
you will start your family young but you will
also have to work long hard hours to
support them. You will have already
developed a passion for motorbikes and
speed so it will be a bit of a juggling act to
keep everybody happy but you will love
your children unconditionally and do all you
can to give them a great childhood and you
will invent many things so they can have
much fun. You will build them bikes and
trolleys (often from others waste), take
them camping, hiking, sailing, fishing and
motorcycling and instil in them the
principles you live by”.
‘Also’, said God, I am giving you an
inquiring and inventive mind which will see
you take on many tasks, this will leave you
with a total inability to shop (unless it’s to
get a bag of nuts or a tin of sardines),
prepare or cook food, clean the house or do
the washing!!! –well that’s why you will
have three wives.
Sport Aviator
January 2015
13
Chapter News
The last of these will be your greatest love,
your best friend, your everything but be
careful not to take her for granted. She will be
your greatest supporter as you will be hers,
your business manager and companion. She
be your Accountant and your Doctor figuring
how to keep the finances afloat and your
health in good shape.
I will find you many people who share your
intelligence, whacky sense of humour and
with whom you will be able to bounce ideas
back and forth. You will treasure these friends
and some will be like extra sons to you with
whom you can share your passion for flying
and for motorbikes. Yes Ian, you will take up
flying and enjoy the freedom of the sky and
the challenge of building an aircraft, but
because that takes time first you’ll find a
couple of like-minded mates and buy one
already built. You will always enjoy the
challenge and stimulation of making things
work and finding a “Low Tech” way of doing
things. You will not know the time of your
passing so you will have to pack in as much
as you can and there will always be another
invention in the tank.
You will have a total irreverence for Authority,
Government Departments, Rules and
Regulations and you will try to sort out
Councils and put them on the right track. You
will always march to your own beat and your
aim will be to leave the world a better place
for your having been there.
Your passing will come as a total shock to all
who love you as they will not be expecting it
but they will feel in some ways relieved that
you were having the best of times and you
went fast (just as you wanted). Rest Home
Proprietors will all be breathing a great sigh of
relief as you would’ve been organizing an
uprising in no time at all to improve
conditions, facilities etc. I am saving you the
indignity of old age, infirmities and
confinement. While no new memories will be
made you will become a legend and stories
will be told about your deeds and misdeeds
for many years to come.
You will watch over those you love and
cherish and guide your projects from the
afterlife and they in turn will keep you safe in
their hearts and memories and think of you
every day of their lives.
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
14
An Unusual Arrangement
by Jon Farmer
An Unusual Arrangement of
Engine, Propeller and Airframe
By Jon Farmer
A few months ago, I was faced with a 5
hour wait on Hong Kong airport and spent
the first half hour trying to find Virgin
Pacific's check in counter. Why did it take so
long? Well firstly, I guess I missed the
board that gave the row number of each
airline and I seem to remember there were
some 12 rows. In each row there were
perhaps 16 airlines and I dragged my
wheelie suitcase up and down 7 rows before
finding Virgin's check in desk.
Once there, my suitcase was booked
through to Auckland and I was issued with a
boarding pass. Relieved of my burden I was
free to look around and became so
fascinated with a circus nearby that I found
a seat to watch.
A party of about 7 West Africans had been
on a buying spree in Hong Kong and divided
up the loot between them to suit the
luggage allowances. One man had a coil of
rope suitable to anchor a fair sized fishing
vessel, another man was trying to pass off
two car tyres as personal luggage and a
third man took his television set out of its
carton to avoid being oversize.
With some four hours to kill, I wandered out
onto an airbridge that connected the upper
level departure hall with a high level road
outside. Hanging there was what had
seemed to be a model of the Wright
Brothers aircraft but such was the massive
size of the Arrival and Departure Hall that
this was an optical illusion and the aircraft
turned out to be a full size replica of a
Bristol Boxkite.
SAANZ Auckland
The Bristol Boxkite replica hanging in the
massive arrival/departure hall of Hong
Kong airport to commemorate the first
flight to be made there in 1911. Note the
cabinets at the bottom of each pillar on the
far wall. Each cabinet is around 20ft high
and contains an air-conditioning unit.
A bit of research indicated that the Bristol
Boxkite was a very successful aircraft in its
day as nearly 80 were built. Part of that
success was due to the pronounced camber
of the wing, more than most other aircraft
of the time. Another reason was that the
Bristol Aeroplane Company ran at least
three flying schools in England, the
philosophy being that the more people who
could fly, the more aircraft would be sold. A
number of governments bought Bristol
Boxkites, notably, Russia, India, South
Africa and even Australia bought two, one
of which made several firsts. The test pilot
took his wife for a flight and she became
the first woman to fly in Australia. He also
took a news reporter for a flight over
Sydney who took the first aerial
photographs in Australia.
Sport Aviator
January 2015
15
An Unusual Arrangement
by Jon Farmer
Nearly all the Bristol Boxkites were powered
by 50hp Gnome rotary engines which were
quite advanced being light, powerful and
reliable. The crankshaft is stationary whilst
the crankcase, cylinders and propeller all
rotate round it.
This solves the cooling problem as the
cylinders are being whirled through the air,
even on the ground, but it does also cause
some problems. The carburettor has to be
stationary on the airframe and the air/fuel
mixture, along with lubricating oil, fed
through the hollow crankshaft to the
crankcase. Each cylinder has a pipe from
the inlet poppet valve to the crankcase and
the exhaust valve is operated by a push
rod. Ignition is by an uninsulated wire from
the sparkplug to a segment on a disc that
rotates with the engine and is fed by a
spark coil and brush gear attached to the
airframe. Both rotary and radial engines
have to have an odd number of cylinders
although the connecting rod arrangement is
different. In a rotary engine all the big ends
go on the crank throw but in the radial
engine, only the master rod goes to the
crank and the other rods go to bearings at
the big end of the master rod.
The Bristol Boxkite first flew in 1910, about
7 years after Richard Pearse, and was still
in use at the beginning of the First World
War. However it was then superseded by
the rapid advances in aerial technology.
There are no original Boxkites left but a
number of replicas, three of which are in
flying condition although not with Gnome
engines. The Australian Airforce Museum
has a replica which first flew with an 0-200
engine hidden in a wooden box it now
sports an Australian made Rotec radial
engine.
An original photograph of a Bristol Biplane,
commonly called a 'Bristol Boxkite', which
clearly shows the unusual position of the
propeller between the engine and fuselage.
Also of interest is the pronounced camber
of the wings which contributed to the
success of this aircraft over its
competitors. The ailerons are held up by
airflow in flight and are pulled downwards
by movement of the joystick. Presumably
the smaller of the two cylindrical tanks
contains castor oil for the total loss
lubrication system.
Is there another aircraft in the World that
has its propeller fitted between the engine
and airframe? Think of the overhang on the
crankshaft and it's hollow at that. What
about the size of the hole in the prop hub?
And with 7 cylinders, at least one is sure to
be blanked off from the airflow by a prop
blade.
How about sending in your explanation and
you might win a chocolate fish! Auckland
Chapter has a spare one left over from last
month's ' Name the mystery aircraft'
competition which was not won. (It turned
out to be a Russian bomber in German
colours!).
With an empty weight of 900lbs and MAUW
of 1150lbs the Bristol Boxkite would fit into
our microlight category but I'm not sure
how they managed to carry a passenger
and the small payload explains why all the
early reports were of short flights, 15
minutes or less. The standard wingspan was
34 ½ feet but the military version had an
upper wing 12 feet longer. Maximum speed
of both versions was 40 mph.
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
16
Round the World Visitor
Round the World Homebuilt
Visits New Zealand
By Bruce Cooke
Shortly before dark on the evening of 10th
January, a small, sleek homebuilt joined
overhead Hamilton Airport and set down on
runway 18. The aircraft was an extensively
modified Lancair IV, with the American
registration N6ZQ, and the sole occupant
was its builder, Bill Harrelson of Kinston,
North Carolina USA.
The Lancair was at Hamilton as part of a
record attempt for a circumnavigation
crossing both North and South Poles, and as
with ventures of this type, things hadn’t
gone entirely to plan.
The flight is an attempt to beat the existing
FAI class C1A (landplane) record that was
set by a Piper Malibu in 1987. The record is
based on the total elapsed time between
leaving the start point and arriving back at
the start point having crossed both poles
and landed at specifically nominated
locations. The nominated locations are
important. The flight could be done without
nominating any, but the distance credit
(which is used to calculate the speed) will
then be based on the minimum great circle
distance flown – nominally the diameter of
the planet. By nominating points the great
circle distances between those points get
credited, which, chosen carefully should
allow for practical deviations from the direct
route. The trick is still to get around as
quickly as possible but extra distances flown
should at least be partly factored in. The
Speed to beat in this instance isn’t
particularly high, since the Malibu took 4
months, which gave an average speed to
beat of 14km/h!
SAANZ Auckland
by Bruce Cooke
Bill’s original plan was to fly from Kinston
USA to Montevideo Uruguay, Punta Arenas,
Chile, Over the South Pole to Hamilton NZ,
then Honolulu Hawaii, Fairbanks Alaska,
and finally over the North pole and back to
Kinston. Montevideo, Hamilton and
Fairbanks were the nominated points for the
record.
The flight through South America was
largely to plan and on 2nd January Bill set
off from Punta Arenas towards the South
Pole. By the time he reached the pole
however, it was apparent the headwinds he
was experiencing were stronger than
expected, and he would be marginal for fuel
to reach New Zealand. Achieving the South
Pole waypoint, he reluctantly returned to
Punta Arenas. Reaching Hamilton took the
best part of the next week, as Radio and
autopilot issues had to be sorted, plus
alternative plans for the leg to Hamilton. He
did not need to risk the dangers of the polar
flight again, so opted on a trans-pacific
route via Papeete, French Polynesia. It took
some time for appropriate approvals and
confirmation of fuel availability but he was
on his way again. The Papeete to Hamilton
leg was also changed due to the difficulty in
getting customs clearances in Hamilton, so
a brief stopover in Auckland was required –
in the event he was on the ground there for
less than 30 minutes! Thankfully everything
went to plan and Bill is now back on the
original route.
N6ZQ is the second Lancair that Bill has
built, his first being Lancair 360 N5ZQ. Bill
is an extremely studious person with a love
of the challenge of a long distance flight.
The Lancair IV was therefore built with long
range flight in mind.
Sport Aviator
January 2015
17
Round the World Visitor
The airbrakes in the wing were omitted to
allow increased fuel capacity, and the
normal rear seats were replaced with
additional tanks, making it a 2 seater. For
this flight even the second seat has gone,
with additional cabin tanks have been fitted
to bring the total fuel capacity up to over
1400 Litres – enough for 40 hours in the
air. The Continental IO-550 has a larger
sump and some mild performance
modifications fitted. The aircraft is equipped
with a comprehensive Avionics suite with
multiple GPS units and 3 SpiderTracks
tracking systems. An oxygen system is
included, as is a special heater for the Polar
Regions.
by Bruce Cooke
Bill has previously flown the Lancair from
Guam to Florida non-stop – over 7500NM
and 38 hrs in the air!
He is obviously an adventurer with a vision
to achieve a goal, but he is also a genuinely
friendly homebuilder full of enthusiasm for
flying. He regretted missing out on seeing
much of New Zealand as he would have
with his original route from the south, but
enjoyed the scenery from the short transit
from Auckland. Hopefully he will return
again sometime to spend more time with
us. We wish him well on the remainder of
the adventure – safe travels!
Everything is stowed neatly in the cabin to
provide an efficient workflow, but in the tiny
space left, even the most comfortable seat
would start to feel tiring with 30hr+ legs!
There is an autopilot, but when the aircraft
is full of fuel, it has significant stability
issues, so Bill has to hand fly it for the first
10hrs or so before it is safe to use. Bill says
at its heavy weights, it is not a nice
machine to fly.
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
18
Team RV At Masterton
A few shots of the Team RV display at Wings
Over Wairarapa at Masterton.
Kevin Paulsen and Stephen Jones launch
David’s solo display
Followed by David Wilkinson…
Des’s solo display.
Showing off for the crowd afterwards.
Then Des Barry.
Heading back to the aircraft park.
Line astern flypast.
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
19
Mystery Aircraft Quiz
by Steve Stride
A test for all those plane spotters out there.
Identify the mystery aircraft in the picture below and email your answer to the editor at
[email protected] before the next Chapter meeting and the first person to
correctly identify the aircraft will earn themselves a chocolate fish prize.
Note you will need to turn up to the meeting to collect your prize.
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
20
In The News & On The Web
O N
T H E
W E B
O N
Airbus Formation
T H E
W E B
The Beast of Turin
From Huib Volker
From Barry Gillingwater
The echelon break to starboard looks
amazing.
I know it’s a car instead of an aeroplane
but it’s an awesome engine just the
same – maybe you think it might be
suitable for the chapter newsletter?
Watch this 28.5 litre Fiat run for the first
time in over 100 years!
https://grrc.goodwood.com/race/histori
c/28-5-litre-fiat-s76-runs-first-time100-years
http://www.chonday.com/Videos/fivebuj
awe2
O N
T H E
W E B
Air NZ Safety Video
From Norm Bartlett
Now this is one airline safety-video that
is NOT boring. Enjoy.
Must have cost a fortune. Think I will fly
Air NZ just to watch the safety video.
www.youtube.com/embed/qOw44VFNk8
Y?feature=player_embedded"framebord
er="0"allowfullscreen></iframe
O N
T H E
W E B
CAMS Engineering
From Nev Hay
If you are interested in manufacturing it
will take you some time to ‘wander’
through this site.
Well worth a look
http://www.youtube.com/embed/qOw4
4VFNk8Y?feature=player_embedded%2
2frameborder=%220%22allowfullscreen
%3e%3c/iframe
SAANZ Auckland
http://www.cams.net.nz/
Sport Aviator
January 2015
21
In The News & On The Web
O N
T H E
W E B
O N
Watch an IPad land an aircraft
T H E
W E B
Impressive Pitts Flying
From Gavin Magill
From Huib Volker
Failed aircraft engine? Unconscious
pilot? There’s an app for that!
Check this out - very impressive Pitts
flying:
http://www.popsci.com/xavion-ipadapp-can-make-emergency-airplanelanding-autopilot
http://vimeo.com/100670266
O N
T H E
W E B
O N
Mooney Emergency Landing
W E B
WWII Planes In A Barn
From Peter Armstrong
Mooney makes a textbook emergency
landing with a failed front undercarriage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol4
rj5CWSP4#t=10
SAANZ Auckland
T H E
From Don Wilkinson
WWII Planes in a barn.
http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/AllNews/2014/August/Pilot/f_talltale
Sport Aviator
January 2015
22
In The News & On The Web
I N
T H E
N E W S
O N
Solar Impulse
T H E
W E B
Sukhoi PAK-FA
From Rob Keith
From Gavin Magill
Gavin saw a reference to this in the
newspaper. The A/C is now in Abu
Dhabi. I think they start of the round
the world flight sometime in March
In the meantime how about a picture of
one very lovely looking jet fighter.
Rob K
Sukhoi PAK-FA
http://russianplanes.net/images/to1530
00/152437.jpg
And a video to go with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0
8AxiE2HwU
O N
T H E
W E B
Owning A Spitfire
From Don Wilkinson
Thought this might interest you.
O N
https://grrc.goodwood.com/coolstuff/youre-thinking-buying-spitfire
T H E
W E B
Weather Map
From Peter Armstrong
Pass this on to your colleagues.
Altitude and overlay selectable.
https://www.windyty.com/?950h,wind,n
ow,-33.395,-191.777,4
Cheers Peter
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015
23
Jan
29
Upcoming Events
Auckland Chapter Monthly Meeting
Speakers: TBA
Av i a t i o n C a l e n d a r
2015
Every Dargaville Aero Club
Sat
The place is buzzing every Sat, wet or
fine, windy or calm, and the $12 lunch at
12.30 is good value. Club on the web at
http://www.flyingnz.co.nz/club_pages/dar
gaville.html. If going as a group please
have the courtesy to ring in advance so
the cook expects you. Contact Murray on
027-478 4308 or the club house on 09439 8024.
Apr
Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow
03-05 Omaka Airfield, Blenheim
SAA Easter weekend. Friday is Practice
Day, including the Marlborough Lines
Twilight Extreme of sunset flying, concert
and fireworks. Sat and Sun are the main
airshow days with over 100 aircraft
participating. Full info at:
http://www.classicfighters.co.nz/
Jun
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
2016
Mar
Air Safari 2016
13-27 Starts at Omaka on 13th Mar, then via the
scenic route (18 airfields) to finish at Alexandra
on 27th Mar. If you need a leave pass signed it
might be time to start working on the brownie
points. A link to more info is on the SAANZ web
site Events page at
http://www.saa.org.nz/public_pages/events.ph
p
3 Sun Turangi Aero Club Fly-In
Each All welcome for a BBQ lunch.
Month Contact Tony on 027-453 3740
Feb
Great Plains Fly-In 2015
06-08 Ashburton Aviation Museum & Airfield
Includes SAANZ AGM, Wings Award
Dinner, etc. Further details to be
confirmed. Download your info pack and
registration form from the SAANZ web site
http://www.saa.org.nz/public_pages/even
ts.php.
AirVenture (Oshkosh) 2015
20-26
rd
Jan
Healthy Bastards Bush Pilot Champs
06-08 Omaka Airfield, Blenheim
More info and registration at
www.marlboroughaeroclub.co.nz
by Gordon Sanders
If members are aware of other events that could be of
interest to others please pass the details to Gordon
Sanders - [email protected].
Feb 27 Australian International Airshow
Mar 01 Avalon, Victoria
Theme is Centenary of ANZAC, 1915~2015. Heroes of the
Sky. Full information at:
http://www.airshow.com.au/airshow2015/inde
x.asp
Mar
National Aerobatic Championships
18-21 Hood Aerodrome, Masterton
(Moved from Waipukurau). New venue
with many facilities, both for flying and
accommodation. Unofficial practice day
Wed 17th. More info at
http://www.aerobatics.co.nz/
SAANZ Auckland
Sport Aviator
January 2015