VP-1 pilots
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 2
From: Europe
tKF,
I nearly was one but did not proceed as the overall costs would have been heavily influenced by the fact that I would have had to hangar it at an airfield at considerable cost.
I did my spreadsheet
and worked out that the nominal cost difference between the VP1 operation and something in which I would have been able take a mate or so up would be marginal so chose to go a different way.
Now I have the farmstrip I sometimes think that it would be great fun to have something like the VP and certainly think they are a ticket to many hours of inexpensive flying.
I have it on good authority that the hangar issue is solvable in your case.
I think I still have not given back the book from one of the 'Listers' detailing the goings on for VP1s and I will contact him to see if I can give it to you for reading.
Hope it all works out for you and if I was the jealous type would be envious. Will be great to meet up at Stik's and compare notes.
Best of luck.
FD
PS Get helmet for your nut!
I nearly was one but did not proceed as the overall costs would have been heavily influenced by the fact that I would have had to hangar it at an airfield at considerable cost.
I did my spreadsheet
and worked out that the nominal cost difference between the VP1 operation and something in which I would have been able take a mate or so up would be marginal so chose to go a different way. Now I have the farmstrip I sometimes think that it would be great fun to have something like the VP and certainly think they are a ticket to many hours of inexpensive flying.
I have it on good authority that the hangar issue is solvable in your case.
I think I still have not given back the book from one of the 'Listers' detailing the goings on for VP1s and I will contact him to see if I can give it to you for reading.
Hope it all works out for you and if I was the jealous type would be envious. Will be great to meet up at Stik's and compare notes.
Best of luck.
FD
PS Get helmet for your nut!
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Isle of Man
I know the North Western Strut of the PFA were building one for their members. Last time I saw it at Barton (EGCB) it had the wings covered, and was standing on it's own wheels. Not sure if the project has progressed.
Just remembered the reg. G-BCVE. A VP2. I believe they were going to put a BMW m/c engine on the front.
Just remembered the reg. G-BCVE. A VP2. I believe they were going to put a BMW m/c engine on the front.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 10
From: Just South of the last ice sheet
Are any VP1/2's built with removable wings? I ask cos the Fokker Eindecker lookalike that is being advertised at the moment says that it comes with wing cradles. From this I assume the wings are demountable. Is this a time consuming operation or is it easy a la Kitfox / Avid?
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 0
From: South Norfolk, England
They all derig; it takes two (better three) people about an hour to do. Unfortunately as they are not designed to be taken apart on a regular basis they would need an inspector sign off every time you re-rigged for flight.
It might be possible to come up with a decent frequent use control coupling system (perhaps pip pins ect like gliders) but the wing root and upper wing strut bolts have to be tight to work properly. This means that pins with "R" clips or whatever probably would not be ideal and good engineering practice would preclude the re-use of the old nuts at least, perhaps even the bolts each time. If someone came up with an accecptable method and could get it past the PFA as a mod it would be great. With the wings and tail off the VP1 and 2 take up very little space and could easily live in the average garage. As it is they have to remain rigged to be practical but could easily be derigged and stored at home in the winter to save hangarage.
SS
It might be possible to come up with a decent frequent use control coupling system (perhaps pip pins ect like gliders) but the wing root and upper wing strut bolts have to be tight to work properly. This means that pins with "R" clips or whatever probably would not be ideal and good engineering practice would preclude the re-use of the old nuts at least, perhaps even the bolts each time. If someone came up with an accecptable method and could get it past the PFA as a mod it would be great. With the wings and tail off the VP1 and 2 take up very little space and could easily live in the average garage. As it is they have to remain rigged to be practical but could easily be derigged and stored at home in the winter to save hangarage.
SS
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 10
From: Just South of the last ice sheet
Thanks shortstripper , I suspected that was the case. It is slightly surprising given the low cost ethos behind the Veeps that they weren't designed with a folding wing.
The extra hangarage for the VP would exceed it's value in eight months.................
The extra hangarage for the VP would exceed it's value in eight months.................
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 0
From: South Norfolk, England
Depends on what you think of as their "value". True, in monetary terms they are not high priced, but for "value" for money in terms of FUN FUN FUN they easily outweigh the summer (or annual)hangarage cost.
Having said that .... VP's belong on private strips and are surprisingly STOL given their poor climb rate. I can get off and up to 50' clearance in under 250m ... but it probably then takes nearly 10 minutes to reach 2500'. Still, what's the rush?
SS
Having said that .... VP's belong on private strips and are surprisingly STOL given their poor climb rate. I can get off and up to 50' clearance in under 250m ... but it probably then takes nearly 10 minutes to reach 2500'. Still, what's the rush?
SS
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Essex, UK
TKF
I bow to the size of your genitalia.
I fly microlights, mostly, but would need those electric prodding things to get me in a VP.
Whilst SS says he flies one, I'll bet its not far and i'll bet he has plenty of other aircraft too.
On a (very) slightly less daunting scale, have a look at a Minimax, Thruster TST, or Taylor Monoplane.
I share an airfield with a monoplane owner and he flies almost as much as I do. He loves his aircraft.
No good for girlfriends though
I bow to the size of your genitalia.
I fly microlights, mostly, but would need those electric prodding things to get me in a VP.
Whilst SS says he flies one, I'll bet its not far and i'll bet he has plenty of other aircraft too.
On a (very) slightly less daunting scale, have a look at a Minimax, Thruster TST, or Taylor Monoplane.
I share an airfield with a monoplane owner and he flies almost as much as I do. He loves his aircraft.
No good for girlfriends though
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 20
From: I have no idea but the view's great.
barshaker
After spotting my reference to Switzerland in the PFA thread I had you marked down as a very astute individual so I must now ask, what is wrong with the Veep (either 1, 2 or both)?
Also anyone else with any experience of Mr Evans' two short planks please feel free to chip in.
No, I've never flown in one; yes, I do intend to next year.
Feel free to PM me if you need to use rude words.
After spotting my reference to Switzerland in the PFA thread I had you marked down as a very astute individual so I must now ask, what is wrong with the Veep (either 1, 2 or both)?
Also anyone else with any experience of Mr Evans' two short planks please feel free to chip in.
No, I've never flown in one; yes, I do intend to next year.
Feel free to PM me if you need to use rude words.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 0
From: South Norfolk, England
Poor Old VP's, they do get a ribbing don't they?
Strange thing is most of it comes from those who have never flown one and base their ideas on hearsay
. True, the climb rate is slow ... but it's no slower than a Luton Minor or FRED, which are two comparable aircraft. I tell you what ... I bet that even though they are not designed as STOL I could get my VP into and out of strips most aeroplanes could not! The climb rate "IS" slow, but once you get the technique right they get off and up to a safe height in a very short distance indeed. True also that they may not be good touring aeroplanes but again 70 knots is quite respectable for their class; compare again to the Luton (about 60mph) and the FRED (maybe 65mph). Of course you have to decide what you want from an aircraft? if as I suspect TKF is out to build hours cheaply then how can you knock a VP, or for that matter any other small single seat homebuilt?
No, I haven't used it to fly far, but a couple of hundred miles (which I have done) is OK. I do have a T31m I'm building and recently a share in a Falconar, but that would not put me off flying further afield in it for fun when it's flying again. Sure, as a serious go places aeroplane it would be a joke ... but at about £20-£30/hr all in, and the fact that it really is good real fun flying ... who can snigger?
SS
PS ... It may not look sexy either, but you'd be amazed how much interest a VP invokes from non flying and flying folk alike when you turn up at a fly-in.
Strange thing is most of it comes from those who have never flown one and base their ideas on hearsay
. True, the climb rate is slow ... but it's no slower than a Luton Minor or FRED, which are two comparable aircraft. I tell you what ... I bet that even though they are not designed as STOL I could get my VP into and out of strips most aeroplanes could not! The climb rate "IS" slow, but once you get the technique right they get off and up to a safe height in a very short distance indeed. True also that they may not be good touring aeroplanes but again 70 knots is quite respectable for their class; compare again to the Luton (about 60mph) and the FRED (maybe 65mph). Of course you have to decide what you want from an aircraft? if as I suspect TKF is out to build hours cheaply then how can you knock a VP, or for that matter any other small single seat homebuilt? No, I haven't used it to fly far, but a couple of hundred miles (which I have done) is OK. I do have a T31m I'm building and recently a share in a Falconar, but that would not put me off flying further afield in it for fun when it's flying again. Sure, as a serious go places aeroplane it would be a joke ... but at about £20-£30/hr all in, and the fact that it really is good real fun flying ... who can snigger?
SS
PS ... It may not look sexy either, but you'd be amazed how much interest a VP invokes from non flying and flying folk alike when you turn up at a fly-in.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
tKf - very well done this morning!
For those not in the know - tKf (Ed) completed his GFT and nav test this morning. He is 17 on Sunday and rumour has it that the CAA are going to open the beehive especially to grant him his licence on his 17th birthday!
I understand it is a quick cycle down to LGW first thing Sunday then you are taking your parents to lunch in Le2K in the school 172.
Now you might have qualified for a pilot's licence but you have not passed your driving test and you certainly aren't old enough to neck pints on licenced premises!
Stik
For those not in the know - tKf (Ed) completed his GFT and nav test this morning. He is 17 on Sunday and rumour has it that the CAA are going to open the beehive especially to grant him his licence on his 17th birthday!
I understand it is a quick cycle down to LGW first thing Sunday then you are taking your parents to lunch in Le2K in the school 172.
Now you might have qualified for a pilot's licence but you have not passed your driving test and you certainly aren't old enough to neck pints on licenced premises!
Stik
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 20
From: I have no idea but the view's great.
Well done TKF.
I learnt to fly at 17 and then did bu&&er all with it for years and years, I'm sure that you won't fall into the same boat.
Fantastic.
I learnt to fly at 17 and then did bu&&er all with it for years and years, I'm sure that you won't fall into the same boat.
Fantastic.
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
From: Swindon, Wilts,UK
Well Done TFK.
Flyin'Dutch' what's wrong with Austers may I ask! apart from the fact that there's no such thing as a cheap one
Come to think of it get involved with any aircraft and you will pay,and pay, and pay................... either time or money they are demanding beasts. However the rewards that you reap make the investment well worth it
Blue skies and happy landings TFK.
Flyin'Dutch' what's wrong with Austers may I ask! apart from the fact that there's no such thing as a cheap one
Come to think of it get involved with any aircraft and you will pay,and pay, and pay................... either time or money they are demanding beasts. However the rewards that you reap make the investment well worth it
Blue skies and happy landings TFK.