ultralight/moped anyone?

justthisguy1292 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 10:34 AM

I was inspired by an ultralight flying by my house. are there any auronotic junkies here who can tell me if these engines could power a slow ultralight? I know this isn't about paint jobs but it certainly is about arriving in style. I'm thinking a large wing clamped to the front and a smaller one to the back. I know it sounds crazy, but i can't think of why it couldn't work. My plans aren't as simple as that but thats the general gist.

deacon · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 12:26 PM

I am not a pilot type, but there are some here and I even think his idea has been floated before. Someone will be along to give you some information

chrisme · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 12:43 PM

Whether it could or not, I wouldn't trust a cheap chinese engine to fly me around.... I barely trust it to take me more than reasonable pedaling distance from my house LOL

**BarelyAWake** · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 12:55 PM

Back in the early days of ultralight flight it wasn't uncommon to see 250cc single cylinders in ultralights...

But that was scary as ****

You probably could fly one of these engines - but there's no way you could take off or climb. The best you could hope for would be to prolong a glide in a very slippery glider.

My Quicksilver MX had a dual carb, twin cyl Rotax 440 @ 40hp+ (w/a triple bladed carbon adj pitch prop & a few other mods) to give you an idea of what we're talking about. Although considered overpowered (engine for a 2 seater in a single seat plane) I found it to be "adequate" for the bush pilot style flying I was known for.

**Ilikeabikea** · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 02:10 PM

You need 35 to 40 hp. These bike engines aren't anywhere near that..................

justthisguy1292 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 02:27 PM

why does the engine HAVE to be so powerful? there are a few human powered ultrlights(one of which made it across the english channel). A human in great shape puts out less than half a horse and chinese engines can put out between 2 and 5. that seems like more than enough to get it off the ground. i don't want to go soaring. just 20 feet up is all i want. even less if i can find somewhere with enough clear space.

**BarelyAWake** · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 02:32 PM

It's that whole difference between perpetuating a glide in a super slick plane and trying to take off short field. Unlike cars or bikes, the engine's power gives you your climb ratio - and it's just drag reduction to make you faster.

So while you can "fly" a glider, maybe even take off with a lil tiny motor like these - you'd need three football fields or so to do it - and it better be a cold, calm day lol

Not being able to climb is the most dangerous aspect of a plane's characteristics, as the planet is really the only thing that can hurt you - you do need to avoid it as much as possible

You could always get a hang glider, strap one of these lil puppies as a pusher motor (shaft is pointed wrong but w/e) and jump off a cliff... It would help your distance... maybe... I dunno though, what with the added weight of motor, fuel, prop, etc.

You'd prolly end up with the same performance as you had w/o the engine, cept now its noisy heh

justthisguy1292 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 02:42 PM

there is a small airport near my house. ultralights take off from there all the time so i think i can. should be plenty long enough. the Wright brother's plane only had 12 hp so i think i can make due if my contraption is a third the weight, which it should be. I would be using the moped part of the machine to get up to 30mph and that only takes me a few seconds to get up to. my engine is pretty modified so it puts out a bit more than the average engine. thanks for all the imput. i'm pretty determined to atleast try this, so more advice on how to do instead of how its going to kill me would be more appreciated

Tim_B_172 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 03:07 PM

I am a private pilot and I just recently got my A&P mechanic license. I don't have a whole lot of experience, for now I pick up part-time aircraft work when I can get it. That said I still wouldn't want to try it. It may be possible though, ever heard of a Cri-Cri? Aerospaceweb.org | Ask Us - Cri-Cri Homebuilt Aircraft
I think that if I was going to build an airplane using these chinese engines I would want 4 of them. I know it sounds excessive, but with the right props it might just give you enough thrust.

The one thing you said that worries me is that you don't want to go more than 20 feet high as though that makes it less dangerous. That is a common misconception, actually higher is safer, it gives you more room to correct for mistakes or glide down in the event of an engine failure. Not criticizing you or anything, just please keep it in mind if you actually get your idea off the ground (pun intended).

justthisguy1292 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 03:19 PM

ya i see your point with the whole 20 ft thing. i was just trying to point out how little i'm expecting to get out of this.