Starduster Too for a newbie
John Borkowski
I am considering my first airplane project. I am
considering a Starduster too. I am a low time
PP-ASEL with good mechanical skills.
I would like to hear comments on the plane, building
it and flying it. I expect by the time it is done,
to have alot more time under my belt as well as some
tail wheel time and maybe even an intro to Acro type
class.
I understand the aircraft is only sorti of considered an
Acrobatic craft, which is fine I dont ever expect to do
more than a few alieron rolls. but I do like the open
bi-plane idea. I am also looking at a house in a
neighborhood with a 2400' grass strip and think the
plane will fit on the strip nicely.
any comments, lessons, and advice, would be greatly
appreciated.
John
Ed Wischmeyer
> I am considering my first airplane project. I am
> considering a Starduster too. I am a low time
> PP-ASEL with good mechanical skills.
John -
Some first rate, second hand knowledge. There've been lots of variations in
the plans over the years, and some of the early plans had big c.g. problems.
Make sure that what you get has everything sorted out. I don't know enough to
give you further advice. Second, the elliptical wings add considerably to the
building time. Third, make sure you have a couple of open cockpit flights
before you build. I've got 10 hours in open cockpit, and thought open cockpit
was a real pain. Make sure you know you like it.
Good luck!
Ed Wischmeyer
F.L. Whiteley
$24,500 905ttaf/eng
Based at Greeley, CO
http://www.greeleynet.com/eaaregional/d2.htm
Contact D. Dilley at ddi...@aol.com
John Borkowski wrote in message ...
>Hi All
>
>I am considering my first airplane project. I am
>considering a Starduster too. I am a low time
>PP-ASEL with good mechanical skills.
>
Lee McGee
building time; in fact, on a Starduster Too the ribs
are simply cut out of 1/4" ply. Even on the more
complex Acroduster, with built-up web and capstrip ribs,
this is not a big deal. Make a jig out of solid plywood
to fit the smallest rib. Make four. Open up the jig
a bit to the next size with a sanding drum or router.
Make four more ribs. Repeat a few times until done.
The process does not take much more time than building the
ribs for a straight, unattractive wing.
Starduster is still in business and will give excellent
support to any phase of your construction. They will even
build stuff for you for $$$. -Lee
**** Posted from RemarQ - http://www.remarq.com - Discussions Start Here (tm) ****
JmcBoots
There is a show coming up here in the fall, I'll have to see it I can hitch
a ride on one.
Thanks
On Sun, 11 Jul 1999 17:50:07 -0700, Ed Wischmeyer <edw...@aa.net> wrote:
>John Borkowski wrote:
>
>> I am considering my first airplane project. I am
>> considering a Starduster too. I am a low time
>> PP-ASEL with good mechanical skills.
>
Bob U.
>
>> I am considering my first airplane project. I am
>> considering a Starduster too. I am a low time
>> PP-ASEL with good mechanical skills.
>
>John -
>
>Some first rate, second hand knowledge. There've been lots of variations in
>the plans over the years, and some of the early plans had big c.g. problems.
>Make sure that what you get has everything sorted out. I don't know enough to
>give you further advice. Second, the elliptical wings add considerably to the
>building time. Third, make sure you have a couple of open cockpit flights
>before you build. I've got 10 hours in open cockpit, and thought open cockpit
>was a real pain. Make sure you know you like it.
>
>Good luck!
>
>Ed Wischmeyer
Your right on, Ed.
I put 100 hours on my Flybaby 35 years ago and the urge has never come
back. My motorcycle was more practical... and it was seasonal as hell.
Aside from this aspect, a local pilot bought a Startduster II and
never did get good enough to check out in it.
Seems the visibility or lack of it gave him fits on flaring.
Tailwheel wasn't his forte, either.
But, his female instructor was a knockout/fox.
Perhaps this is why he was in no hurry to learn.
To make a short story long, the landing gear was not all that stout in
the original design or some such and the gear needing fixing along the
way.
The dude got disgusted, sold it and then moved on to California.
So see what happens when you take on one of these birds?
Better get your license plates now... before the rush, John. <g>
Bob U.
highflyer
>
> Hi All
>
> I am considering my first airplane project. I am
> considering a Starduster too. I am a low time
> PP-ASEL with good mechanical skills.
>
> it and flying it. I expect by the time it is done,
> to have alot more time under my belt as well as some
> tail wheel time and maybe even an intro to Acro type
> class.
>
> I understand the aircraft is only sorti of considered an
> Acrobatic craft, which is fine I dont ever expect to do
> more than a few alieron rolls. but I do like the open
> bi-plane idea. I am also looking at a house in a
> neighborhood with a 2400' grass strip and think the
> plane will fit on the strip nicely.
>
> any comments, lessons, and advice, would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> John
It is a good airplane. Relatively easy to fly for that category
of airplane.
Keep it light and do NOT put a larger engine in it. A Lycoming
four banger is excellent power to the Starduster Too. Watch your
construction closely so you don't get tail heavy. They tend in
that direction.
HF
Gary Chenier
100 mph. The Starduster is a fairly docile airplane but learning to
land it, especially on pavement, with no forward visibility, takes a
while. Make sure you have the latest plans and info. The gear needs to
be properly positioned for cg and it needs the latest "beefed up"
changes. Keep it light. Mine has a Lyc O-320-B3B with c/s prop, basic
inst., KX170B , intercom , and transponder and weighs 1125 empty. You
want about 85 lbs on the tail wheel. It handles great on the ground and
won't try to swap ends on you unless you really fall asleep. They now
offer a removable canopy kit that I am considering. If you want to fly
a lot of xcountry or fly in colder weather, you may want to check it
out. A 2400' grass strip would be ideal to learn on. Good luck.
Gary
JmcBoots
Why the emphasis on not going with a larger motor?
If I do this I will probably go with the 320.
But I was think it would be cool to have a radial
up front.
John
CW9371
as the stardusters all stay in wautoma for the week. The airport is Y50.
Christopher Wilcox, President
CGW Insurance/Investments
Registered Investment Advisor
www.cgwi.com
cwi...@cgwi.com
J P Rourke
>O
>>
>>> I am considering my first airplane project. I am
>>> considering a Starduster too. I am a low time
>>> PP-ASEL with good mechanical skills.
>>
>Your right on, Ed.
>Bob U.
So, what I want to know is wwhere is the instructor now??? <g>
-john rourke
Bob U.
>>To make a short story long, the landing gear was not all that stout in
>>the original design or some such and the gear needing fixing along the
>>way.
>
>>The dude got disgusted, sold it and then moved on to California.
>>So see what happens when you take on one of these birds?
>
>>Better get your license plates now... before the rush, John. <g>
>
>
>>Bob U.
>
>So, what I want to know is wwhere is the instructor now??? <g>
>
>-john rourke
wwhere?
yyou kknow bbetter tthan tto aask!
Hush yo' mouth.
Your spoken for young man.......
and I will not be known for leading you astray.
Besides, I feel a strange urge for some dual meself.
Bob U.
highflyer
>
> HF
>
> Why the emphasis on not going with a larger motor?
>
> If I do this I will probably go with the 320.
> But I was think it would be cool to have a radial
> up front.
>
> John
>
Because everybody takes the Skybolt and the Starduster Too and
crams a big six cylinder engine into it to get better "vertical"
performance.
That increases the weight, cuts the fuel range and increases the
landing speed to uncomfortable levels. The result is an airplane
that does not fly anywhere near as well and is a bear to handle.
With the higher landing speeds and overweight condition they also
usually groundloop them or break the gearlegs off before long.
The airplanes were designed for a Lycoming four banger. Go with
the designers calculations and don't redesign the airplane off
the cuff.
I have seen the Skybolt with the Continental radial. You HAVE to
three point it. If you did a wheel landing you would break the
prop. The Continental radial is so much heavier that the landing
speeds are WAY higher than the original. It makes a cute biplane,
that is no fun at all to fly, IMHO.
HF