Ragwing Storch

The Ragwing Stork (scale replica of the Storch) from RagWing Aircraft Design falls within the LSA rules, based on what I see on their website.

Two seats (pilot and one passenger) - check.

Less than 1,320 pounds gross take off weight - check.

Max speed below 138 mph - check.

Stall speed below 51 mph - check (I'd say!  made it with 46 mph to spare)

Single engine, fixed prop, unpressurized cabin, daylight VFR only, yada yada.....check.

There is no requirement that an LSA be tricycle geared.  The commercial guys make them that way because they can't be ground looped and therefore are safer to land.

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/sport_rule.pdf

Thanks, Frank!

I appreciate the link- it'll provide me with a few months of reading matter!

I guess the first thing to do is order the plans.   Has anyone here built one of these planes?   Any advice, warnings etc.?

Thanks much

Dave

1) Find out where and when your local EAA chapter is meeting, and SEND AN EMAIL to whomever is in charge (or call them) of it a week or so before their next web-published meeting.  Nothing is more frustrating that showing up to a meeting that has been cancelled, moved, etc. and you miss out because it's at Fred's house to see his project's progress and get in a quick covering class.

2) Make a plan, both financial and time, on how you're going to pay for it and work on it.  Get ready to be flexible, but I found that the rudder to my Nieuport 11 only got started and built when I set a firm time to work on it, and put everyone on warning.  The rest of the kit got pushed back six months due to an unforseen financial obligation that magically fit the airplane fund at that point....sigh.  But that doesn't mean I didn't punt and buy a few gauges (I'll need them anyway!).

3) Ask to help someone build their airplane.  Nothing teaches like doing, and there is no better plane to learn on than somebody else's. 
 
    Besides, you're going to need help at some point....get to know folks who know folks.

Dave-

You want to look at the Preceptor Aircraft Corp. Storch "STOL King"

similar numbers, and LSA approved

Paul

Dave:

Check out the Yahoo group on the Stork at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ragwing_Stork/

Michael

a Subaru powerd RW Stork in New Zealand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSiTNQgj_N8

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/wilsonnz/

Michael

 Howdy-

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but the past few months have seen a disturbing number of complaints pile up against Preceptor and its current owner DuWayne Counts on the Homebuilt Aircraft forum . At least one person paid in full for a kit in early 2009 and has yet to receive any parts as of November 2010. Communication is reported to be extremely spotty, and I have experienced this myself. You would have to be prepared for your plans to be completely unsupported. Personally I've wiped the Preceptor designs from my list of potential aircraft

And now back to our regularly scheduled uplifting (!) programming....

Other LSA aircraft with STOL performance available plans-built include:

• Zenith 701 and 750
• Wittman Buttercup
• a couple of Tiger Cub variants

Not quite STOL but close are the Christavia Mk I and II, J6C Karatoo, and Fisher Dakota Hawk.

The class of the Storch kit world is the Rotax 912S-powered Criquet Fi-156 Storch , covered in a recent (Sept.?) issue of Sport Aviation. Sadly no plans available, as it is a much more robust and powerful plane than the Roger Mann Ragwing Stork, which has been described as a STOL trainer with just enough useful load to carry a pilot and (smallish) passenger. -Dan

Dan,

Good to know, thanks.

Damn shame, I liked that thing.

Many thanks to everyone who replied!

I'd say that for the most part the only real safety difference between approved kit planes is how loose the nut behind the stick is.  And what said loose nut is comfortable with.

Some might say that a really slow stall speed tail dragger is infinately less safe than, say, a trike geared Kitfox.  They'd have a point, since one can't ground loop tricycle gear.  And then the heated argument begins about what is a "real" plane.

OK, I've been searching and browsing until my eyes hurt and it seems most of the designs I like are built largely, if not totally, from metal.

Therefore, I need some info on working with tubing.   Is it best done electrically or with gas?   

Finally, does anyone know anything about Boeing Surplus Sales in Wichita?   I used the one in Seattle until I moved to MO a few years ago and it was great.   I've heard that the one in Wichita is much smaller.   

Dave

Yes, I too was sorry to see the situation with the perceptor SK.  Looks like he's got some serious troubles according to the yahoo group.  That's too bad.  I am buying a set of plans for it though... since I figuring on at least a partial scratch build.  If I do not decide on it, I'll sell them.  I've looked at the Ragwing Stork as well, since I'm excellent with wood too, but the design engineer in me (natural not by education) just didn't like a couple of things (like tension loads on brackets and sheer loads on through bolts that are not collared... just the wall thickness for contact area... just not good).

OK... the next question will likely raise an eyebrow or two.... but since I can AC stick weld well on the level... and have designed and built many heavy metal items over the years, I have to ask...  

Can one, and what is the penalties in weight and structural strength, for using square tube instead of round?  Can 4130 even be had in square tube?   It also lends itself to easier fitting with a cut off saw and grinder.

Well, sorry if I'm too ignorant yet to know an obvious to others answer... please be patient.

Thanks in advance,

Another Dave

David:

I'm building a Ragwing Stork RW20 and it is very robust. It can be built in the 600 -650 pound range if you go with the lighter tandem version (RW-19), use a lightweight engine, stick to the plans and don't add extras.  If you are really careful it can be done under 500 pounds, but that's with no brakes, side windows, etc. and a 2 stroke.  I'm 6'2.5" and 220#, and Roger Mann is even more, so join the club.  Occasionally unfinished projects come up for sale. Roger has a video of the planes flying and they certainly perform at the low end of slow flight/extreme STOL.  They are rather draggy so top speed is not their virtue.  The speed record is in the 80's, with cruise in the 60's/70's depending on how clean you make it.

I suggest joining our Ragwing Stork listserve.  We have about 450 members with many builders.  So between builders and Roger you can get questions answered.

There is also a STOL King listserve.  I'm a member of that also and have the plans.  One just flew a few weeks ago and can be found on you tube.  The plans are more complete on the STOL King, but it is much more complicated and requires welding skills.  Currently you probably can only find STOL King plans used and the only support is from other builders.

If you are a good welder and can handle a complicated build the STOL King would be good.  If not, the RW-19 is the way to go and it is much cheaper to build.

Another possibility is the Just Highlander.  You can buy it with the welding already done.

Gary Van Meter

RW-20 builder

Howdy Dan, when you describe DuWayne's communication as extremely spotty you are being kind. About a year ago I ordered plans from him despite my doubts about the performance claims. He didn't hesitate to charge my credit card, quite some time went by and never received the plans. Would not reply to messages until I left him one stating that I was going to deny the charge on my credit card.  He was real quick to get in touch with me stating that he would rather issue me a refund instead of getting a charge back. Waited a few days and no credit showed up. Finally just contacted my credit card company and they removed the charges. The three times I talked to him on the phone was a very unprofessional and unpleasant experiences but it only cost me my time in the long run.

I built one give me a call on my cell phone   1-503-791-8466   I can tell you a lot about it.       Roble