Custom aircraft design/build business...
 

Hi all,

I am a student about to go into university to study mechanical engineering for Masters. Until quite recently, I was set upon joining the RAF as a pilot, but certain events have forced me to reconsider. I hold a G2 cat. for VGS motorgliders, and would be more than happy to have an excuse to get a PPL etc.

My thoughts now are towards starting my own business that designs and builds aircraft to customer specs (whilst keeping within legislation and rules etc). I understand that its gonna be difficult to say the least, but I would appreciate any input on any aspect of it... for example, how popular it would be, would MechEng be suitable, what specialists would be useful etcetc.

Many thanks, and appologies for the long post!

Matt

It sounds like the John Britten/Desmond Norman model of developing an indiginous design, in house, and having ones own manufacturing facility. Great idea, could do with about £20 million for seedcorn, employee costs etc.

Would one be abused if one said perhaps you arer jumping the gun? Little aircraft manufacturers are going belly up as they find the costs of processing their design into fruition, and ironing out the problems exceed the actual costs of development? Get qualified, learn your trade first with others paying you, and take it one step at a time, rather than trying to leapfrog over people ahead, immensely talented and far wealthier (but still not rich enough). Sorry to be rude, but you haven't even learnt anything yet.

No, thats great! Exactly the sort of reply I needed! and thanks for the quick response.

What sorta quals would I need to have a chance in the industry? Would MechEng be suitable, or would I be better off studying AeroEng? Or are there any other options I haven't thought of?

More questions coming soon I guess:\

Thanks, Matt

bloody engineers :)
 

hi matt,

First of all good luck with the course, I graduated in 2004 and know mech eng can be tough!

I have similar interests to you (currently doing a ppl course) and have pondered designing an aircraft myself. On the mech course you really dont learn enough about aerodynamics and aircraft systems to dive straight in. You do however learn the intricacies of mechanical design and have a brief introduction to fluid mechanics (an aerofoil section etc) so of course a little extra reading might get you in a position to give it a go.

Alas I dont know from a legal point of view if you are required to have any aero-related qualifications to design and build (CAA might not like it) but there is nothing to stop you getting said quals after your degree.

Once again, good luck, and when the going gets tough, head down the union bar :ok:

GW

Thanks again, thats great.... And I certainly plan to er... 'experience' the union bar!

Sticking my unqualified oar in...
I think the Mech Eng would be better for structural designing (Metallurgy, Stress, Etc) as that is where many pitfalls are found first. The Aerodynamics comes later - when you know how to build something to withstand forces for whatever reason - that is the way of Structural Design Development.

CAD is Okay - but still needs an experienced operator to drive it.

Systems-wise, again a developmental thing, that comes with knowledge and experience to avoid older errors and mistakes and to develop new atitudes and reasoning.

Go for the Mech - and keep your own design going in the background - keep thinking about it.

You never know? You might make it work better!

Best of Luck
Rigga