Open-source airplane could cost just $15,000

wheelsup

wheelsup

Well-Known Member
Open-source airplane could cost just $15,000

By Jason Paur, Wired

There’s an open-source airplane being developed in Canada, and now its designers are looking to double down on the digital trends, turning to crowdsourced funding to finish the project.

The goal of Maker Plane is to develop a small, two-seat airplane that qualifies as a light sport aircraft and is affordable, safe, and easy to fly. But unlike other home-built aircraft, where companies or individuals charge for their plans or kits, Maker Plane will give its design away for free.

The group behind the project consists of pilots and engineers who are designing the airplane, allowing it to be built using the kind of personal manufacturing equipment somebody in the maker community might already have at home or can easily purchase. The idea of a home-built airplane is nothing new. It dates back to the earliest days of flight, after Orville and Wilbur made and flew their own airplanes (and engine), the homemade plane movement — literally — took off.

Today, the home-built movement continues, and this week tens of thousands of pilots and fans of home-built airplanes are descending on the annual Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

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[...more from CNN.com...]
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Well I have my doubts. What would make aircraft more affordable is a reduction in liability and testing costs as well as significant electronic cost reductions. I'm not suggesting their use, but for example people are putting digital pitot tube sensors on R/C drones fed into the on-board computer. The price of these pitot tubes...under $50.

One might be able to create three independently operating FCC's using pitot/static inputs and electronic gyros and display them on LCD screens for next to nothing comparatively using upgraded hardware more suitable for real aircraft. Software code could take all 3 inputs and throw out the most erogenous one.
 
wheelsup said:
What would make aircraft more affordable is a reduction in liability and testing costs as well as significant electronic cost reductions. I'm not suggesting their use, but for example people are putting digital pitot tube sensors on R/C drones fed into the on-board computer. The price of these pitot tubes...under $50.
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How's about things like allowing manufacturers to use off-the-shelf components? From what I understand, the alternators in many light GA aircraft bears very little difference from some of the most common automotive alternators, yet costs significantly more just to have an FAA sticker on the side. I understand the need for testing and ensuring a particular piece of equipment is safe for aviation use, but come on... let's get real. Between purchase costs, insurance, fuel, and maintenance, GA is quickly becoming a rich man's sport only.
 
Wow, an experimental experimental.

This kind of stuff is neat but good lord why do people love tossing out the baby with the bath water when it comes to certification? Are we really going to pretend airplanes should be cheaper than cars?
 
My dad and me built a minimax for about 9,000 from plans. Found some old growth douglas fir to use for the wood from an old schoolhouse that was getting torn down. It is a blast to fly!
 
Of course it's also somewhat funny that someone would spend $15,000 on materials but be set back to spend the normal $250-300 for a set of plans for the airplane they want to build.
 
durind said:
My dad and me built a minimax for about 9,000 from plans. Found some old growth douglas fir to use for the wood from an old schoolhouse that was getting torn down. It is a blast to fly!
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That's awesome. When I was about 13 I had the MiniMax info packet all worn out and dog-eared. I was certain I would build one. I still think about starting one every once in a while.
 
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