Author: "clayr_55" <clayr_55@...> Time: Mon Jul 29, 2002 1:09 pm PDT Link
I was also at the Oshkosh Forum.
A few interesting tidbits...
They realize that this plane will be bigger and in order to
facilitate assembly in small spaces, they've made a few adjustments.
The tailcone from the baggage bulkhead back can be built separately
and attached to the rest of the fuselage during final assembly at the
airport.
The fuselage can be mounted on the gear legs before the wings are
attached, so that all plumbing to the brakes, etc. can be finished
before moving to the airport. The wing attach bolts go through the
carrythrough spar outside the fuselage, in the gap between the
inboard wing rib and the outside fuselage skin.
The flaps retract to -3 degrees up in order to improve aerodynamics
at cruise speeds. The flap hinge points are even further down and
aft than the 9.
The 2 doors will be gullwing, and attach to some kind of fuselage top
still in development. (probably composite)
The seats are going to be something new... supposed to be
comfortable, not take up a lot of room, but more expensive. My guess
is something composite like the new car racing seats that are
available.
It is designed to carry 4 real adults, some baggage, and full fuel.
Their goal is to fly the prototype to OSH next year.
It will be ready on Thursday... which Thursday is anyone's guess.
--Clay