Doc's D-Lite - A new thermal build at Aloft

[Wayne]

We have been working with one of our local thermal pilots to produce a new thermal kit. We have been working closely with Ed to bring his dream plane to life. Perhaps a bit ambitious for our first in house airplane kit, but it is finally starting to see the light of day. I'm probably jumping the gun, but after many tests and many revisions we are building our first full wing.

Here are the guys dry fitting the prototype wing. It is good to have someone building the plane that was not involved with the design as he can stumble and find all the confusing parts that we need to address.

Only a lot more to do.

 

[Doc J]

Damn you guys are busy!

Doc.

 

[Jarron]

Hi! I'm the builder and likely test pilot. I am looking forward to getting this put together. I've built balsa but nothing this big!

 

[Doc J]

Hi! I'm the builder and likely test pilot. I am looking forward to getting this put together. I've built balsa but nothing this big!

Looks like a goodie, Jarron.

EVERYONE should have experience building with balsa.

I love it.

Doc.

 

[ORRich]

I really miss it. Nothing like taking your time and jigging things up or sanding a triangular piece of balsa into a compound curve wing tip. Hated the monokoting though.

 

[Konrad]

This is one woodie I’d like to see in 3D. I’ve seen it on the screen but it is a whole different thing to have the parts in hand.

Now that the F3F season is coming to an end I should have some time on my hands to offer my unbiased prototyping experience. Besides Jaron’s time it too valuabl. I as a retired bum….

All kidding a side do look at how I film cover light (TE) structure. I posted the details earlier.

 

[Wayne]

I'll agree with the earlier post, I rather enjoy building in wood, but the covering is an art that I have only on rare occasions received a passing grade.

 

[Doc J]

I got really good at tissue and dope then nylon and dope.

Now I sometimes cover the wood in glass.

Well it 'aint a glider but its still (noisy) fun.

Doc.

 

[thenated0g]

Those look great @Doc J

 

[Hank GB Z]

Signing on to follow the progress. I'm always interested in new balsa kits. I like that it has full size plans. I'm not a big fan of the Lego type pictoral instructions.

Hank

 

[Jarron]

Center section nearly all framed up.

 

[thenated0g]

What wood and thicknesses did you guys settle on?

 

[Jarron]

What wood and thicknesses did you guys settle on?

me no know me just build airplane. I'm the guinea pig LOL but It's a balsa and lite ply construction with carbon leading edge. There will be some 1/64th sheeting involved for a D box. @RafaelAvila is the mastermind.

 

[Wayne]

This is still very much a prototype build. I don't think a day goes by where we do not debate the build. At this point we just need to assemble this panel and see what we have for strength and twist and weight. We already have several small changes that will be in the next build. We have some experimental sheeting coming up soon.

 

[Hank GB Z]

Hey Aloft Crew,


The build is looking good so far. What are the specs? 2M, 3M wing span? I think it was already said to be full house. Will the nose be such a shape that making it a motor glider be pretty easy?

Thanks,

Hank

 

[Jarron]

Hey Aloft Crew,


The build is looking good so far. What are the specs? 2M, 3M wing span? I think it was already said to be full house. Will the nose be such a shape that making it a motor glider be pretty easy?

Thanks,

Hank

It will have a 3.6m span and will have a composite electric fuselage.

 

[Wayne]

Can be pure glider or electric nose.

 

[Hank GB Z]

Wayne, Jarron,


Thanks for the replies. She's gonna be bigger than i thought. Looking forward to more progress.

Hank

 

[Wayne]

OK - This thread has not been kept up to date.

We finished the first prototype some time ago and she flies great. She was heavy as our new fuselage was not yet available, so she carried extra nose weight, but performance was great.

We have been working on version 2 where we have been refining the design. Cleaning things up, making things both stronger and lighter and making her even easier for folks to build. We are taking our time and studying every single part to see where we can make improvements to the design. For me this is the fun part!

Here are a few pics from the current build:

3D printed center section. (Slightly updated since this photo.) This carries the wing bolts and the 6 pin wire connector distributing the bolt loads into the wing spar and sub spar. Don't worry, we have tested it for strength and heat. No issues.

We also use a 3D printed joiner box for the outer panels. This gets thread wrapped. Again fully tested.

And a new tail:

 

[Hank GB Z]

Looks good. I really like the way you made the rudder and vertical stab. Is your new fuse a fiberglass one as well?

Hank