GEODETIC #1 BIPLANE FOR SALE
Sumner Hushing
I've had several requests for more information since my last posting,
so I've put together a little information sheet which might pique the
interest of someone else out there.
I've owned half of this one of a kind taildragger biplane for several
years, and had a wonderful time flying it around San Diego county, and
up to the Merced fly-in. My partner took it to Oshkosh, and got its
picture in Sport Aviation, but now I can't find my copy, and I can't
remember which issue, I think it was back in 1984 or 85.
It's very basic -- single seat, open cockpit, wood and fabric, no
electrical system. Here are a few of the fun facts:
Builder: An aircraft mechanic in Vernal, Utah
Build Date: With parasol wing in 1969, biplane in 1976
Hours: Approximately 500 (my partner has the logs)
Wingspan: 22 feet
Empty weight: 440 pounds
Gross weight: 800 pounds
Fuel: 15 gals, 80/87 or 100LL
Engine: Continental A-65; bored out to 80HP
Electrical: No
Avionics: Whatever you bring with you
Instruments: VFR basics... A/S, Alt, Ball, Comp, Tach, Oil P/T
Baggage: Small canvas shelf for knapsack behind pilot
Takeoff Dist: About 300 feet (no obstacle, paced off)
Cruise: 80-90 mph
Endurance: 2 - 3 hr, depending on power setting
Ceiling: Have had it to 12,000 feet, but I got too cold.
It's built with a strong "basket-weave" construction, which leaves many
triangles showing on the inside, hence the name "Geodetic". Kind of a
take-off on Geodesic, I guess. We call it "Geo" for short. I never
met the original builder (J. Warren Harris, in Vernal Utah) -- we
bought it from the second owner, at Perris Valley airport, where he had
it hangared.
Geo's a lot of fun playing the aerobatics game, although negative G's
can get uncomfortable. The fuel cap, just in front of the windshield,
doesn't seal too well, so you know right away when you're pulling
negative. Keep all the maneuvers positive, and Geo's great fun. Or
else duck quick. Or you could fix the seal on the fuel tank cap. I
have had Geo upside down many times, doing loops and rolls, approaches
to hammerheads, immelmans, split-S's, and such. Geo's not a rocket,
but it's lots of enjoyment!
My partner and I have each gotten married, been transferred to
different states, and bought houses, since we acquired Geo. Bruce was
transferred to Tucson, and took Geo with him to Tucson to find a
cheaper hangar. Now that he has 3 little kids, he's afraid to even
start the engine with them around, so it's just sitting in the hangar
wanting to fly.
Geo really needs a good home, with somebody who likes to go out and
catch bugs in their teeth once in a while.
I recently scanned in an air-to-air color photo of Geo with Bruce
flying, and it makes a nice 45K JPEG which I'm using for the desktop on
my Mac.
Please contact either one of us if you're interested in buying Geo:
Sumner Hushing,
303-971-5130 (Voicemail anytime)
303-794-4211 (Evenings)
email: hus...@den.mmc.com
Bruce Markle,
602-794-1847 (Days)
602-579-0283 (Evenings)