经典超轻型飞机-GYPSY

wzh · 发表于 2010-2-5 04:15

总体特征

Capacity: no passengers
Length: 17 ft 0 in (5.19 m)
Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.76 m)
Height: ()
Wing area: 144 sq ft (13.40 sq m)
Empty weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Useful load: 250 lb (113 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 500 lb (226 kg)
Powerplant: × Rotax 277 two stroke, single cylinder, 26 hp (19 kW) each
Propellers: 1 propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 55 mph (89 km/h)
Cruise speed: 35 mph (57 km/h)
Stall speed: 22 mph (36 km/h)
Range: 75 statute miles (122 km)
Rate of climb: 500 fpm (2.54 m/s)
Wing loading: 3.47 lb/sq ft (16.87 kg/sq m)
Power/mass: 19.23 lb/hp (0.084 kW/kg)

wzh · 发表于 2010-2-5 04:17

飞机的设计和制造过程

Designer John Chotia created the Gypsy in 1980 as a development of the Chotia Woodhopper(Gypsy 在1980由 John Chotia 设计,由Woodhopper演变而来).
The Woodhopper was itself a development of the Chotia Weedhopper. The Gypsy was intended as an easier design for amateur builders to construct than the Woodhopper, with its all-wood construction.
The Gypsy features bolted aluminum tube construction, a wire-braced wing with a span of 32 ft (9.8 m)(Gypsy是由铝合金管用螺丝固定,金属线固定的机翼长度9.8米), with the ground wires supported by a kingpost(带有主梁支撑的底线). The wing is of aluminum tube construction(机翼是铝合金管支撑的), with foam ribs and a covering of doped aircraft fabric(机翼带有泡沫翼肋,该翼肋表面被航空纤维成分覆盖).
The design has a standard empty weight of 165 lb (75 kg) easily allowing it to qualify for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, with its maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight requirement.
The initial engine was a two stroke powerplant of 25 hp (19 kW) and the recommended power range is 20 to 25 hp (15 to 19 kW). The engine is mounted on the overhead keel tube in tractor configuration.[2]

Unlike the open-air pilot seat of the Woodhopper(和全开放的wood hopper飞机不一样), the Gypsy design places the pilot in a cockpit bathtub pod with a windshield that provides wind protection(gypsy的设计让飞行员坐在有风挡的坐舱里). The main landing gear has no suspension and the tailwheel is attached to, and steered by, the rudder directly(主起落架不是悬挂上的,尾轮和方向舵直接链接). The controls are conventional three-axis.[1]

The Gypsy was put into production in 2000 as a kit aircraft by Endeavor Aircraft & Automation of Paw Paw, Michigan at a price of US$6,900 for a complete kit. Production was completed in the mid-2000s and the kit is no longer available. Endeavor specified the 26 hp (19 kW) Rotax 277 as the standard engine and recommended a power range of 26 to 42 hp (19 to 31 kW). The kit version has a higher empty weight of 250 lb (113 kg).[1]

[ 本帖最后由 wzh 于 2010-2-6 19:34 编辑 ]

wzh · 发表于 2010-2-5 04:22

The Gypsy Project

On April 27, 1995 the board unanimously recommended construction of a Gypsy as the chapters first aircraft construction project. Reasons cited for the selection were ease of construction, variety of materials utilized, and fast build time(飞机的设计目标: 容易建造, 可以利用各种材料, 快速的建造时间).

By the June meeting Ernie reported the foam ribs are capped with wood (翼肋里用泡沫替代木材)and the project is moving to Bill Ayers' hangar to work on a brake and some metal fabrication work. Target cost for materials (less the engine is $1000, 目标成本是1000美元,不包含发动机). The hope is to fly for less than $1500!(总成本少于1500美元)

By January 1996 the flight surfaces were nearing completion with the next step being completion of the fuselage and then covering the aircraft.

In May the fabric bill for the Gypsy was paid bringing the total for materials to $1085, a little over the goal but still a good number.

By November the project was into the rigging stage, with mounting the engine next on the list for our builders.

1997 brought a lot of competition for the Gypsy, there was talk of a new hangar and a new aircraft project, but work continued.

In April the group moved building night to Tuesdays and the talk was about finishing up and moving to the paint booth.

February 1998 brought focus back to the Gypsy due to the Indy Flyer groups desire to test the wing in a flying aircraft before finalizing it, on the Indy Flyer project. Fuselage covering and rigging were going well.

June brought taxi testing and talk of the first flight, if it would just stop raining.... After working out some engine carburetion problems, the first flight of the Gypsy was completed on November 8, 1998