Can we go back to making planes out of wood again now?
Thanks for agreeing, Rod1. But while I do not want to underestimate the Jodels and their legacy, I was rather thinking of new designs, admittedly of light or even very light planes, that use wood extensively, though mixing it with modern composites. The IBIS and Luciole are examples that spring to my mind but there must be several more.
Last edited by Jan Olieslagers; 8th Jan 2011 at 18:23. Reason: Grocer's apostrophe
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Have you not flown a Jodel?
For all the wood airplanes you've got running around in Europe, however, I still don't think you'll come close in terms of numbers, to those found in the US. Not in general aviation, nor in general.
Some great products have come out of French Aviation, there's no question about that, both big and small. From the Cri-Cri (an unabashedly fantastic design, the great tragedy of which is that the designer won't sell plans to the US) to the A380, French products are not to be dismissed lightly.
To suggest, however, that the French have the most wooden aircraft and the best wooden aircraft, or that the French have the greatest tradition of wooden aircraft, would be rather misplaced.
The British Mosquito was a design of pure genius. A lot of countries have had wooden airplanes. Today wood continues to be a popular choice for homebuilt airplane construction. I'm building a wooden Sorrel Guppy, myself, though it may be another lifetime before it gets completed at the present rate of construction.
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The early Mooney had a wooden wing but went to metal in the early 60's.
The real problem with wood, as someone already has pointed out, lies in the fact that there fewer and fewer wood masters out there who can really take of wood airplanes in the longer term. The wood master that my friend relies on worked on old Caproni planes, and has great experience with wood airframes and wings/tails.
While it's true that there quite a few modern machines such as the Pioneer 200 and 300 from Alpi Aviation, this is more of an exception than the rule. The Pioneers have their roots in the Asso series designed by Bepi Vidor, an italian wood artisan with great design skills. A lot of homebuilder from plans have built Asso planes in wood here in Italy. Not sure if the Asso series is known abroad.
Ciao, Luca
It is - sad memories - ASN Aircraft accident 04-JUL-2010 Asso Aerei Champion V OO-G08
Says nothing about the plane as such, though, still less about wood construction. Think you are right about the required skills getting lost.
Says nothing about the plane as such, though, still less about wood construction. Think you are right about the required skills getting lost.
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There can't be many ones left with the unmodified tail. However, the M20A wing was a wonder. It was faster than the subsequent alu wings and had a smoother ride. Everyone being terrified of wood, the A's can be had for a pittance these days. Absolutely nothing wrong with them.
It works OK in southern France but they still have to be watched.
