Earthstar Aircraft's Thunder Gull JT2 & Odyssey

[Pete]

As a prospective ultralight builder (with an recreational pilot permit
up here in Canada) I would be greatful for any/all information on
Earthstar's thunder gull planes. They seem to be nicely finished from
the few pictures that i've been able to snag off the 'net, and even have
had an HKS 700E installed on one.

Anyone out there built one? Know of any builders or builder groups?
Flown one??
Is the designer Mark H. Beierle reputable?

Thanks for any/all info,
Cheers!
Pete

[pierce day]

An improved version, the Titan, is manufactured in Geneva, OH. Literature
can be requested at:

ti...@interlaced.net

Pierce

[Mark Ambrose]

The Titan is NOT an improved version of the ThunderGull. It's a ripoff
version. The factory demo pilot for Earthstar sold a set of plans and a
partially built plane to a kit manufacturer who subsequently ripped of
Mark Bierle's design. The changes they made to the kit made it unsafe
and resulted in Titan requiring extensive rework by an aeronautical
engineer to make the aircraft safe again. You'll notice the long pointed
snout in the Titan. Looks great, but shifts the center of pressure so
far forward it required adding a ventral fin in front of the vertical
stabilizer. More weight, more drag. You'll notice the Titan has a steel
tube going straight down the center of the windshield. Your forehead
misses this tube by an inch or less. Nice way to bash your brains out in
an off-field landing. The Earthstar doesn't have this. The list goes on.
Look closely, and past the advertisements.

If you want a nice flying plane, buy the original. Get an Earthstar.

Mark Ambrose
Maryland
RANS S-7/912

[Duncan Charlton]

I'll second this. I looked into the matter myself, and although I didn't
speak to the Tornado folks, I have a friend who owns one. The gear legs are
inferior and as Mark said, the tail wasn't big enough -- apparently the
Titan guys thought the big Thunder gull fin looked to big but the had to add
area to give the plane adequate yaw stability (plus the long snoot.) You
can fly with the door(s) off on a Tunder Gull but not on a Titan. I flew
the Odyssey and asked endless questions about the structure and how the
engineering was done. My only real remaining concern is the carrying of
fuel in the cockpit. It can be carried in the wings for another $1700 or so
but if it leaks it eats up the foam leading edge ribs. The leading edge is
bonded to these ribs, giving a smooth leading edge. I enjoyed flying the
Odyssey although the ailerons were a little heavy. I couldn't believe how
much junk you can get behind the seats. These planes are expensive compared
to typical ultralights but you get a nice durable plane that flies very well
on 52 hp.

duncan
char...@flash.net
Mark Ambrose wrote in message <35CCF5...@erols.com>...

[Amin Juffali]

Hello Pete.

From what I know the builder of the Tornado was working as a welder for
Mark. Then he left Earthstar and build the Tornado. Titan had some
problems that are outlined by Mr. Mark Ambrose in a reply to your message.
Mark from Earthstar is a very helpful, nice and knowledgeable. He can
build the plane for you if you prefer as an option. You can get hold of
him by email : Gul...@aol.com. He can supply you with all the
information you need.

Were are you in Canada ?

You can reply to me at ajuf...@ibm.net

Amin

Pete <pe...@mail.net> wrote in article <35C90013...@mail.net>...