Starduster or Acroduster Too
Michael A. Vidal
Does anyone have any experience with the Starduster Too or Acroduster
Too (or Stolp Aviation for that matter)? Due to financial constraints
I'm contemplating a plans built a/c and these two seem to fit the bill.
Any information would be appreciated.
Michael A. Vidal
mvi...@ti.com
Erik Shilling
In <3290AB...@ti.com> "Michael A. Vidal" <mvi...@ti.com> writes:
>
>Does anyone have any experience with the Starduster Too or Acroduster
>Too (or Stolp Aviation for that matter)? Due to financial constraints
>I'm contemplating a plans built a/c and these two seem to fit the
bill.
>Any information would be appreciated.
I worked for Stolp Starduster Corp for several years and have flown
both aircraft. The Acrouster two was more of an acrobatic machine with
symetrical wings and did extremely well with an IO-360 engine. The
Starduster two although quite good could not compare to the Acroduster
two as far as acro was conserned. It had the flat M-6 airfoil I
believe, but it still did quite well with the same IO-360 engine.
Regards,
--
Erik Shilling Author; Destiny: A Flying Tiger's
Flight Leader Rendezvous With Fate.
3rd Squadron AVG
Flying Tigers
Richard West
The Acroduster Too is a very good aerobatic design, but is not well
suited to a pilot with little conventional gear experience. I
generally hold 80 knots to short final, and, in the flair, little of
the runway environment remains in view. This takes a bit of getting
used to, with runway width more of a factor than length.
Lee McGee
Michael A. Vidal wrote:
>
> Does anyone have any experience with the Starduster Too or Acroduster
> Too (or Stolp Aviation for that matter)? Due to financial constraints
> I'm contemplating a plans built a/c and these two seem to fit the bill.
> Any information would be appreciated.
>
> mvi...@ti.com
I'm about fifteen months into building an Acroduster Too. The design
makes very clever use of readily available aluminum extrusions, etc.
for making various wing and control fittings and things. The elliptical
planform wings are not really that much harder to build than a set
of straight wings, so don't let this trouble you. Basically you build
a rib jig to fit the smallest ribs, build four (one for each wing),
open up the trailing edge end of the rib jig a bit by removing
wood with a sanding drum, build four more, open up a bit, build four
more. Now you're out to the aileron ribs, and you get to build
sixteen of these all the same! The result is a very pretty wing!
On the Starduster this gets even easier; the ribs are simply routed
out of 1/4" aircraft plywood.
These seem reasonably easy plans-builts, and can be built with only
garden-variety tools. I'm building mine in a two-car garage.
Main power tools are a little Sears bandsaw, a bench grinder, a belt
sander, a drill-press jig for a hand drill motor.
There have only been a few times where I've had to get out to use
a specialty tool (like a larger metal bending brake).
I'll be done with all wings by February, then move on to a lot of
tube cutting, fitting and welding. In 1998 it will get shoved out
into the driveway to fit and rig the wings. Then take 'em off and
shove it back into the garage again for the next year of work...
Michael, plans-building can fit pretty well with financial constraints,
as you only need to put out $1k or $2k at a time when setting the shop
up, or getting materials for and building specific components. Until
you get into the engine and instruments, your most expensive item is
going to be, believe it or not, the set of flying wires! ($2K+).
Stolp Starduster is able to package materials for you as "kits" at
pretty good prices, as well, if you like to think of this in
a more organized manner. They can also sell you a really good and
detailed little book, "Building the Gold Duster", which tells all
about one gentleman's journey building an SA-750 Acroduster Too,
and how he did it, step by step.
By the way, these planes fly really nice!
--
Lee McGee lmc...@corp.sgi.com
|
(415)933-2403 FAX (415)965-0369 GRUMMAN _|_
http://reality.sgi.com/lmcgee_corp/ AA-5B ____/___\____
"When I fly, I feel an isolation ___________[=o=]___________
extreme and radiant" - Peter Garrison TIGER e/ o \e
Earl Dennis Smith
Michael;
I have a few hours in a Starduster Too that was plans built in
early 1980's. I have to say that it is the most delightful aircraft I
have ever flown, very sensitive to control inputs but well harmonized.
I too have considered building either the Starduster or Acroduster. If
economics are a consideration (aren't they always?) the Starduster can
at least be built with lower horsepower engines. The one with which I
am familiar uses a 150 hp Lycoming and performs adequately enough as a
sport aircraft. If pure aerobatics is your bag, then I'd opt for the
Acroduster.
Either one is going to give you a great time if you're current in
taildraggers, and fits of anxiety if you're not! I'd recommend lots of
dual if you're not completely comfortable in relatively perky
taildraggers.
Good luck,
Earl
chris grotewohl
I have instructed in the Starduster 11 and have 50 or so hours in them.
One was a 150hp and the other the 180hp version. They both had bungee
gear. One collapsed during taxi and they decided to put the spring gear
on her. The main gear position seems to effect the heaviness of the
tail. The 180hp version I flew was tail heavy and the owners are
thinking about moving the gear back 7". I love the airplanes
characteristics but it can get out of hand on the ground if your not on
top of it.
Chris Grotewohl CF11 land/sea