Smallest Multiengine Aircraft
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Vancouver Island
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Amsterdam
WR, can you back that up? Because if there is one twin that has a very marginal performance when flying on a single engine, it would be the cri cri. And I think the cri cris engine were not aero engines by origin, but came from chain saws. So they would not have the reliability of your average aero engine too.
Granted, you can land it in spaces that helicopters would probably stay away from, and the cri cri is not your average IFR steed, but still...
I even read an article that when the builder/owner of the jet engined cri cri wanted to start flying his creation, he had to get a multi jet engine license first. As the cri cri is a solo machine, he could not get his training on the cri cri. So he had to pay for a 500 USD an hour fighter trainer (don't remember the type, but looked like an F15 or so) to get the appropriate license.
Granted, you can land it in spaces that helicopters would probably stay away from, and the cri cri is not your average IFR steed, but still...
I even read an article that when the builder/owner of the jet engined cri cri wanted to start flying his creation, he had to get a multi jet engine license first. As the cri cri is a solo machine, he could not get his training on the cri cri. So he had to pay for a 500 USD an hour fighter trainer (don't remember the type, but looked like an F15 or so) to get the appropriate license.
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Sydney NSW Australia
i have plans for a cri cri here, and a friend of mine has one 90% complete, with the 15 hp engine, they can climb at 250 ft/min on 1 engine! their single engine performance is better than most GA twins! they have minimal asymmetric tendencies as the prop wash from each engine is deflected by the canopy so with 1 engine out, the prop wash from the live engine being deflected counteracts the yaw tendencies, and also with engine so close to the centreline, there is little yaw anyway
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Strathaven Airfield
Of course you could also fly the Lazair - not smaller than the Cri Cri if you are measuring wingspan, but may actually be lighter.
And with it being a microlight, unlike the Cri Cri, it is in a "smaller" category ;-)
And you don't need a twin rating.
G-MBYI is my Lazair, there's a pic of one on G-INFO under G-MVGZ
Very best wishes,
Colin
And with it being a microlight, unlike the Cri Cri, it is in a "smaller" category ;-)
And you don't need a twin rating.
G-MBYI is my Lazair, there's a pic of one on G-INFO under G-MVGZ
Very best wishes,
Colin
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Midlands
The Cri-Cri is very aerobatic, has a 180Kg gross weight and was designed by Michel Colomban, one of a number of aircraft he is responsible for including the MC100 BanBi, and in collaboration with Mr Robin, for the MCR01.
http://www.cricri.co.uk/cricri_history.htm
It can have, depending on which engines are fitted, very good single engine performance. I have witnessed one doing aerobatics on one engine and it was coping fine. As to the “not a real aircraft engine” most of you have powerplants originally designed as ground power units.
Rod1
http://www.cricri.co.uk/cricri_history.htm
It can have, depending on which engines are fitted, very good single engine performance. I have witnessed one doing aerobatics on one engine and it was coping fine. As to the “not a real aircraft engine” most of you have powerplants originally designed as ground power units.
Rod1
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: ...back of the drag curve
Can thoroughly reccommend the Cri-Cri.. Flown it and done aerobatics in it and it's a delightful little machine. Not sure about whether you need a MEP rating or not (I did have one) but if you get the chance to have a go, rip the owners arm off!!!
The only thing that is odd is starting with a pull cord a la lawnmower, and you sort of sit with your legs either side of a clear plastic fuel tank....
The only thing that is odd is starting with a pull cord a la lawnmower, and you sort of sit with your legs either side of a clear plastic fuel tank....
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Central Africa
I guess this http://www.flixxy.com/jet-man.htm is technically multi engine (jet) and smaller than a cri-cri!
Not for the faint hearted though.
Not for the faint hearted though.
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Buckinghamshire
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: EGPB/EGPD
Ok guys,
You have got me interested in the Cri-Cri now. I love the little thing!!
So I am in the UK, I am interested in building or buying a Cri-Cri, can anyone point me in a good direction to go.?
Anyone have plans or parts that would be of interest to me?
Cheers,
Shetlander
You have got me interested in the Cri-Cri now. I love the little thing!!
So I am in the UK, I am interested in building or buying a Cri-Cri, can anyone point me in a good direction to go.?
Anyone have plans or parts that would be of interest to me?
Cheers,
Shetlander
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 504
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From: South Yorkshire
Cri-cris often seen for sale here
The following wbesite always seems to have a Cri-cri for sale. (Search for MC15 as well as CriCri)
http://www.ff-aero.fr/accueil.php?it...clude=annonces
http://www.ff-aero.fr/accueil.php?it...clude=annonces
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Looking for the signals square at LHR
ROD1
Good point - Lycomings, Continentals, Franklins et al used to be known in the UK as "sawmill" engines.
I'm astounded by aeros on one chainsaw engine. Things obviously have moved on a bit since the days when I struggled to maintain height on one Cirrus Minor in a Miles Gemini!
Good point - Lycomings, Continentals, Franklins et al used to be known in the UK as "sawmill" engines.
I'm astounded by aeros on one chainsaw engine. Things obviously have moved on a bit since the days when I struggled to maintain height on one Cirrus Minor in a Miles Gemini!
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just South of the last ice sheet
Just to give some news about the Phillips Speedtwin. Malcolm Ducker’s prototype Speedtwin Mk 2, similar to Peter Phillips’ Mk 1 flew at the end of March. The Ducker version has an all-new and stronger all-metal airframe and a pair of LOM engines of 140 horsepower each replacing the 100 horsepower Continental 0-200’s in the Mk 1. Years of effort have been expended so let's hope they make a kit of it so that more of these wonderfull machines can grace the skies.
