Keith103April 4, 2020, 2:27pm
I brought this over to a new thread so this information is searchable and does not get buried under the ribs. ( But I agree we all already know this, so I don't claim to have invented a new type of wheel. LOL ! )
I think I made a mistake about the Vne limitation for FAR Part 103.
The limitation for Pt 103 is only that max speed in level flight with full power, should not exceed 55 knots ( 63.3 mph ).
There is no Vne limitation.
Any Vne limitation that exists is imposed by the airframe designer, based on structural strength and analysis.
Also I feel the 1030 has a stall speed of 26 mph "with flaps extended down". (I am not totally sure about this. Other Max 103 / 1030 owners can verify this.) Without flaps I guess it is slightly higher.
In fact the original design had a higher stall speed than the FAA imposed limit of 24 knots or 27.6 mph. That is the reason the flaps were added as an after thought to the 1030 to get the stall speed under the 103 limit. ( There was a flap handle and some mechanical linkages to the ailerons, to enable both ailerons to be reflexed down , which had the same effect as flaps being extended. )
As Gyro Jeffro is not on this forum, I had emailed him as to why he is rarely flying over 50 mph. His answer was that he would love to, but with his 28 hp F33 engine, he is not able to get better performance.
I was in touch with him throughout his build, because earlier on, I had sold him a completed set of 24 ribs including the tip ribs with plywood already glued. The ribs on his HiMax were all made by me, so I was really excited when he made his first safe flight on his HiMax.)
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§ 103.1 Applicability.
This part prescribes rules governing the operation of ultralight vehicles in the United States. For the purposes of this part, an ultralight vehicle is a vehicle that:
(a) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant;
(b) Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only;
(c) Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and
(d) If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds; or
(e) If powered:
(1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;
(2) Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S. gallons;
(3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and
(4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed.
Quoted from Keith103
I think the 1030 plans call for RS-5 for both top and bottom compression ribs. At least thats how I built mine.
Regarding Vne, I have seen some videos from Gyro Jeffro on YouTube where he is climbing in his Pt 103 HiMax at 40 mph indicated, and doing level flight at about 45 to 48 mph. I thought he was flying too close to stall speed.
I would be more than happy if I can do 60 to 65 mph on cruise without the airframe falling apart.
is it advisable to fly this 1030 airframe at 90 to 100 mph ? Firstly that is above Part 103 limits. But if I still want that kind of speed, I would prefer a stronger air-frame built for that speed, so I know it is safe.
Quoted from toliver66
1030 specs from the team web site:
1030F Performance:
Top speed 63 mph
Cruise speed 55 mph
Stall speed 26 mph
Vne 90 mph
Climb rate 650 fpm (@ about 40 to 45 mph from my understanding)
Take-off Roll 150 ft.
Landing Roll 180 ft.
So 60 to 65 mph cruise might be pushing it a bit but doable. Climbing out at 40 to 45 mph is fine as the stall speed is 26 mph (and its my understanding that 40 to 45 mph is optimal speed for climb out in a max). And just because you can cruise around at 63 mph doesn't mean you have to. Cruising around at 48 mph is perfectly ok, your a long ways from stalling out. 90 to 100 mph exceeds the Vne of the 1030. So if you want to cruise around @ 100 mph I don't think the Minimax 1030 is for you.
I think I made a mistake about the Vne limitation for FAR Part 103.
The limitation for Pt 103 is only that max speed in level flight with full power, should not exceed 55 knots ( 63.3 mph ).
There is no Vne limitation.
Any Vne limitation that exists is imposed by the airframe designer, based on structural strength and analysis.
Also I feel the 1030 has a stall speed of 26 mph "with flaps extended down". (I am not totally sure about this. Other Max 103 / 1030 owners can verify this.) Without flaps I guess it is slightly higher.
In fact the original design had a higher stall speed than the FAA imposed limit of 24 knots or 27.6 mph. That is the reason the flaps were added as an after thought to the 1030 to get the stall speed under the 103 limit. ( There was a flap handle and some mechanical linkages to the ailerons, to enable both ailerons to be reflexed down , which had the same effect as flaps being extended. )
As Gyro Jeffro is not on this forum, I had emailed him as to why he is rarely flying over 50 mph. His answer was that he would love to, but with his 28 hp F33 engine, he is not able to get better performance.
I was in touch with him throughout his build, because earlier on, I had sold him a completed set of 24 ribs including the tip ribs with plywood already glued. The ribs on his HiMax were all made by me, so I was really excited when he made his first safe flight on his HiMax.)
=============================
§ 103.1 Applicability.
This part prescribes rules governing the operation of ultralight vehicles in the United States. For the purposes of this part, an ultralight vehicle is a vehicle that:
(a) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant;
(b) Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only;
(c) Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and
(d) If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds; or
(e) If powered:
(1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;
(2) Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S. gallons;
(3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and
(4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed.
