Turbulent, Jodel D9, single seaters...
 

Hi all,

I completed my PPL a couple of months back and I'm looking to move onto some more interesting flying...

I've been sifting through G-INFO and various websites, basically I'm looking for a Turbulent or similar single seat type.

I was just wondering whether anyone knows of any aircraft and owners I could get in touch with. there doesnt seem to be many groups based around these types that I can find.

Anyone have any personal experiences with these kind of aircraft? Obviously I'm going to need a tail wheel conversion and relative training.

Ideally I'm looking for something in the south west but I'm willing to travel for any interesting flying!

Just looking to see what I can come up with,

Any help appreciated

Kind regards,

Glen.

I've flown a reasonable sample of single seaters, although none of the types you're describing.

You're usually looking at fairly forgiving characteristics, but the combination of low inertia and highish drag makes them microlights in all but name. Legally speaking you'll need a group A taildragger rating, but the best preparation would be to spend some time in a draggy taildragging microlight trainer - which probably means a Thruster: any of the TST, T300 or T600N are approved for training use and will give you the sort of experience you need to safely fly a lightweight taildragger.

Personally, if I was looking for a light single seater, the aircraft which appeals to me most would be a Minimax.

G

One idea might be to contact your local LAA Strut (very active in the SW) where there's a great deal of experience available to someone considering flying in the LAA field (so to speak).

Getting tailwheel time may well lead you to fall in love with all sorts of aircraft...be warned.

I strongly advise you to visit the airfields where such people are to be found, and talk to them, which should lead to flying and the rest is just between you and your bank manager .....:ok:

As well as the types you have mentioned, consider a Luton Minor.

Great aircraft and probably more suitable than a type like a Turbulent / Taylor Mono (that have got a much higher wing loading) if you have only just got your licence.

Mind you, with a name like yours, I would also steer well away from wood and fabric...

The Rans S4 is a more useable microlight than the Minimax, judging from which types attend fly-ins. Spares are available too.

If you've a few quid more the lighter end of the Rans S6 fleet is tried and tested with no snags and they have the distinct advantage of folding wings to ease the hangarage problem. The entry level Rotax 503 version is well loved and quicker than the 447 engined S4, able to cary two men plus camping gear across the Irish Sea last month.

See RansMail for July 2009 for details.
mike hallam.

Still a share going in the D9 at White Waltham I believe....long way from SW though...

I can second the Luton Minor, but it depends on what level of comfort you require!! Its a great little taildragger, pretty basic - basic instruments, no flaps or anything like that! Flys pretty slowly and of course its open cockpit so the endurance of the aircraft can relate quite well to the endurance of the pilot :E

If you do a search on Wikipedia there is a page about them on there.

You could probably pick one up for around £5k!!! And they use about 2 gallons of fuel an hour, so pretty cheap to run. They do count as Group 'A' aircraft.

Fun to fly.

Found this.

The Luton Minor - very affordable flying

Turbulent, Jodel D9, single seaters...
 

I have owned two Tipsy Nippers and a Corben Baby Ace. Both nice aircraft but the Nipper is a wonderfully designed machine despite looking like a giant bumble bee. The trouble with it is that it is aerobatic and in Raymond Cuypers book it states that virtually all Nippers in Germany crashed, due to over exuberant flying by people not necessarily qualified to perform aerobatics. The engines fitted to them were derivations of the VW and most were not terribly reliable (although I believe that Barry Smiths 'Acro' engines are excellent).

The power-off descent would come as a surprise to most pilots only having flown Cessna / Piper aircraft. They are fitted with perspex covers at the wing/fuselage junction which we thought was for picking a field when the engine failed! I have had many, many engine failures in the Nipper and can confirm that the perspex was most useful.

Have often had a thought that if a two seater Nipper with a Continental 0-200was designed and manufactured it would be a wonderful training aircraft.

John

The Luton Minor looks ideal for what I'm looking for, shame theres nothing like that in SW or near Bristol.

If there was enough people interested I'd seriously consider setting up a group.

I'm also interested in the Tipsy Nipper, but they seem scarce also?

Why are these kind of aircraft not so much more popular? Whats the point pottering around in a 150 when you can have more fun and save money!

Right well im seriously conisdering the Jodel at White Waltham.

I'll keep looking.

Nipper
 

There will shortly be an immaculate Nipper on the market. Not going to be too cheap though.:O

Go do some time with the Tiger Club at Headcorn - they have Turbulents you can rent after you have been checked out - see if you really like them.

Glyn Richards is the man to speak with......................

Arc

Devon Strut's History

These people are a bit nearer to you. Just connect to the LAA's more affordable aircraft (I have to say that now there are some rather grand machines on the register) and huge knowledge base for guaranteed bliss.

I might have exaggerated the last bit just a tad, but you know what I mean....near bliss. ;)

Lots of useful info and a very firendly bunch over at:-

Tipsy Nipper Owner's Group

Bought one myself a couple of months ago and can confirm its an utter hoot to fly! I went for the Jabiru engined one as opposed to the VW as the Jab has more power, has an electric starter (no hand swinging) and should hopefully be more reliable.
If your tall you'll need one with the seat and pedal mod's but I'm 6'3" and with those done I can happily fly and aero mine.

They dont change hands very often though and prices have been strong for quite some time!

Regards

UA

If you want to save on hangarage but don't mind not clocking up too many miles per flying hour...

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...raweighing.jpg

Take a look at the website I'm (very slowly building) Dedicated to VW powered aeroplanes. I'll be adding more soon, but there's a taste there already :ok:

The Flying Bug

SS

I agree, Tiger Club at Headcorn.

I have a Turbulent in NZ, great machine, 45 years old now, standard 1200 cc VW beefed up to 1400 cc.with bigger pots, coarser prop. gets me airborne in about 200 metres, and cruises at 80 kts.

VW very difficult to start, no impulse mag. Will develop a strong right arm. Tiger Club have modified most of theirs to electronic ignition, just need a gentle flick - very envious !

Had early engine failure on finals, subsequently attributed to letting the engine get too cold - had done the whole circuit at idle, 'cos being used to 10,000 ft of black tarmac, I felt I was too high and fast for the 1,000 ft grass strip I was approaching. Tiger Club - by e-mail - suggested that I never bring the power right back to idle until over the hedge, so now have a large red line painted on my rev. counter at 1200 rpm. Seems to work. Is the best fun I can think of with my clothes on.

Keep burning out exhaust pipes though, where the front, hot, bend meets the cold airlflow.

Enjoy.

speedbird
 

I wonder if you could lag the pipe with heat shield tape they use in motorsport,maybe need a few clips to secure it?
Lister:)

Not exactly your specification for a single-seater, but if you're looking for rewarding flying on a budget, the Thruster TST can be had for as little as £3500 (a couple on the BMAA website recently). It's a hoot to fly and you do have a second seat, should you want to share the experience.

Lister Noble,

Thank you, yes, we've done that on an ALPI Pioneer, but ask 2 people and get 3 answers. Some motor sport guru's reckoned that they get condensation under the tape, which wears them out just as quickly - dunno, but when I get the beast going again I'm going to give it a go. Nothing to lose I feel.