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Now this is a story of an intrepid aviator convinced that his design will not kill him:

http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-10-13 ... hbuilt.asp

Ummm well... what do you think the outcome will be?

What are your thoughts?

Would you be his test pilot if he asked you?

CJ

The deal breaker for me was this photo caption:

The aircraft is quite modular as tail, aft fuselage sections and wings can be readily removed.

If it had read: The aircraft is quite strong as tail, aft fuselage sections and wings cannot be removed under any circumstances, then I might have given it a shot.

I really admire and appreciate this mans spirit and tenacity to learn and accomplish a dream. This is exactly the same thing that has made many of the worlds inventors and innovators successful.

As for test flying his particular aircraft, uh, no.

No way in hell. I saw this yesterday, and I'm only interested in it to the point of a guy designing and building his own thing. We all know what's going to happen...

I think it's just down-right foolish...

cjensen wrote:No way in hell. I saw this yesterday, and I'm only interested in it to the point of a guy designing and building his own thing. We all know what's going to happen...

I think it's just down-right foolish...

Let me challenge you just a bit on this Chad. What about it do you find foolish? If you consider that he most likely does not have resources for materials, material experts, engineering, or even the ability to get educated in the sciences as necessary to do something to the standards that we would expect. If we go back 75 years in time, which one might argue is where his country is wrt development and resources, this guy could be a genius.

Yes we wouldn't fly it, but then we are blessed with a whole set of knowledge probably not available to this man. He most likely can't even call up a hanger neighbor and ask a question. Maybe he isn't so much foolish, as he is an innovator and dream chaser without any way of knowing what he is doing wrong.

Hehe...figured somebody would!

This

he is an innovator and dream chaser without any way of knowing what he is doing wrong.

is a fair statement. I still think it's foolish (definition of a fool- an ardent enthusiast who cannot resist an opportunity to indulge an enthusiasm). I wasn't trying to be negative. I just hate to see someone, anyone, do something like this, get worldwide exposure, and end up...well...I hate to think of how it will end, but it'll be one of two things, one will be fatal, and the other will be a banged up dream.

I agree that this is a difference between what we have, and what they don't. He is an innovator, I'll give him that. It's still, by definition, foolish. And I'm really hoping that he DOESN'T get it airborne, for his own safety.

Spike wrote: Maybe he isn't so much foolish, as he is an innovator and dream chaser without any way of knowing what he is doing wrong.

He isnt an innovator, Orville and Wilbur were the innovators. They went through all the learning curves that led the world to where we are today. Six months of 'research' on the internet would hardly make one experienced enough to build a complete aircraft.

He might be an innovator if he actually made a plane that could fly on frooty beer!

He isn't an innovator? I would suggest that anyone in that area of the world who builds something like that is an innovator. How do you manage to fit an automobile engine, to a completely un-before seen airframe, in a country so lacking in resources and not be an innovator?

He might not have invented aircraft as the Wrights did, but he sure had to do some innovation to create that and create it there.

He may be an innovator but at that empty weight he will need to attain a forward speed of 110kts in order to get it airborne.

Spike wrote:He isn't an innovator?

no, I dont think he is an innovator based on the following definition>> 'An innovator or pioneer (pronounced /ˌpaɪ.əˈnɪər/) in a general sense, is a person or an organization who is one of the first to do something and often opens up a new area for others and achieves an innovation.'

Spike wrote:
He might not have invented aircraft as the Wrights did, but he sure had to do some innovation to create that and create it there.

i dont think innovation is involved either based on the following definitions either>> "Innovation is a change in the thought process for doing something, or the useful application of new inventions or discoveries.[1] It may refer to an incremental emergent or radical and revolutionary changes in thinking, products, processes, or organizations. " >> "Distinguishing from invention

Invention is the embodiment of something new. While both invention and innovation have "uniqueness" implications, innovation also carries an undertone of profitability and market performance expectation.

An improvement on an existing form or embodiment, composition or processes might be an invention, an innovation, both or neither if it is not substantial enough. According to certain business literature, an idea, a change or an improvement is only an innovation when it is put to use and effectively causes a social or commercial reorganization."

I think our ideas of innovator and innovation may differ quite a bit.

I think all he is doing is jury rigging something and hoping it works.

It may be that he is an African redneck, and he will make the comment 'hey y'all, watch this' before taxiing out for his flight in his 'innovation'.

Not just no, HELL NO! It might get off the ground, but I don't think the landing will be very pretty.

He's gonna die.

I'm just trying to imagine the sound of that wood prop turning 4000 rpm's when he throttles up for takeoff... scary.

Spike wrote: If you consider that he most likely does not have resources for materials, material experts, engineering, or even the ability to get educated in the sciences as necessary to do something to the standards that we would expect.

Dunno about that.

That Article said... wrote:Nderitu says he has had a passion for aviation since he was a boy; with no prior training in engineering or aviation, he built his own design after six months of intensive research on the Internet.

After 6 months of Internet research this is what he came up with? Really? At least he's not offering a kit for purchase based on this design.

At any rate I don't think he'll get hurt. This aircraft will shake itself apart on the first engine run-up.

Hahaha... OK, I wanna know who voted YES that they would fly it!

Nderitu, are you logged in on this site and voting?

Hey, I guess this makes me "qualified" to make my own space shuttle now doesn't it!?!

CJ

I knew that I'd seen this somewhere else before...

Oh WAIT!!!

I think his nosewheel design is slightly more robust than Van's!

Maybe you -A guys could contact Nderitu for his plans!?!

hahaha

CJ

wow, tough crowd this week, I can just feel the love.

smithhb wrote:I'm just trying to imagine the sound of that wood prop turning 4000 rpm's when he throttles up for takeoff... scary.

Maybe this will be what saves his neck. He will run up the throttle and his prop will fly to pieces at that RPM.

Either that or his nosewheel will collapse BEFORE he takes off.

At any rate, he gets an A+ for his innovation and perseverence, in my book.

He actually has a gear reduction on the thing!

Looks like the prop speed won't be what fries his bacon.

If you go to the EAA link from the first link, there is an update farther down on the blog to another video.

It seems that the Kenyan gumment is putting the brakes on his plans to fly it.

Good thing!

CJ