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THE READY SOURCE of data used in the field of Lightplane Design. The tools rather than the derivations. Presented in a form useful to the "Eyeball" designer as well as the engineer. This requires the use of approx. methods (good enough) where the classical approach requires an engineering background.
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CONTENTS include sizing of wings, tails, ailerons and flaps. Includes family of NACA airfoil charts, simple propeller design with NACA nomograms, Scale engine
tracing templates for Continental, Lycoming, VW and Rotax Models with wts, hp and rpm. Welding and glueing allowables. Flight performance matrix table for reading speeds and Rate of Climb.
EVANS HANDBOOK REPLACES A LIBRARY OF MANY DESIGN TEXTS, GOVERNMENT STUDIES AND REPORTS, ALL IN ONE BOOK, 145 pages. |
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BUILDERS LETTERS TODAY VOLKSPLANES ARE FLYING IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES |
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The following letters show that "Volksplaning" is Sport Flying at its best. These are excerpts from a few of many on file: |
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SCOTLAND - A. Sutherland
I served my apprenticeship as a country blacksmith repairing anything. Mend and make it work with nothing thinner than 3/8 plate and 3/8 bolts, or weld it! Probably my most delicate job was fitting shoes on a horse, so, 1/16 ply glued together came as a change. After 4 years, with periods of 3-4 months when I couldn't get at it, I was ready. After taxi runs I gave it full chat to raise the tail. Oh, what a surprise! And to get it back down, ease back on the stick, aye, but I didn't close the throttle did I?? Not me! And so the whole thing leaped into the sky. Too late to close the throttle now! I was flying, excited, overjoyed, petrified, and prepared to meet my maker all at one time. I suppose it's every homebuilder's ambition to fly his machine to the PFA Rally, so I eventually did just that. Then the annual dinner and to see who got the prizes. Well, I heard my name mentioned…. my name…there must be a mistake! No mistake, I was presented with the BEST HOMEBUILT TROPHY! In my wildest dreams I never thought I'd ever get this one. Since childhood, I have often dreamed of having my own airplane. Thank you Bud for making a boy's dream come true. (Note: This is the second VP-1 to win this Trophy) |
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ENGLAND - K. Pearce
I had been flying my VP-1 and was so happy with the performance that within three weeks of receiving my permit, I flew the Channel to France. At Lydd the weather turned out very hazy. But after chatting with the controllers I decided to go, hoping that the murk would clear out to Sea. Flight visibility was 7 to 8 km with no horizon, the "Goldfish Bowl Effect". Using the airspeed and altimeter to maintain level flight and the compass as a direction and turn indicator, I crossed the Channel. The crossing took 40 minutes with 30 out of sight of land. Eventually I saw waves breaking, a good sign. Then the faint outline of the French coast…. what a relief! My goal was Boulogne, but I expected the dim harbour ahead would probably be Calais, but it was Boulogne. Ecstasy, I had done it on target. |
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AUSTRALIA - B. Creer
In testing the VP-1 for "First of Type" for the Australian DOD, we sometimes flew three test periods per day between the two of us. We operated in cross winds considered too harsh for the Club 172s. During the required dive to VNE, I inadvertently transposed the Evans VNE of 120 MPH out in knots, thus diving to 120 knot instead 104. Beyond proving the sturdiness of the VP, it proves that one should be on the ball, mentally, even with simple aircraft. The VP is the third VW powered homebuilt I have flown. It out flies them all. For those who rebel against square lines, you don't see this when flying, and within ten minutes of your first takeoff, it will transform itself into a Sopwith Camel, or a Fokker, or a Spitfire, or whatever you dream about. Bud Evans has given homebuilding a simple, safe, honest-to-Orville aircraft. |
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AUSTRALIA - G. Laubach
Most building of my VP was done at night instead of TV. On first flight it flew hands off with no adjustment really needed. When flying to Rallys, I strapped a sleeping bag on top of the rear fairing. The papers them wrote me up as a flying swagman. I have flown across Australia, east to west, and had to land at lonely roadhouses and taxi up to the fuel pump while people used their cameras. One farmer got a sudden surprise when at dinner I taxied up to his window after running low on fuel. He offered to buy the VP. I have built other homebuilts, have my own strip on my farm, and although flying for 35 years, I still love it. |
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IRELAND - M. Donohoe
After my first VP flight I was so hyperactive I couldn't sit down for hours. Now we are shortly to become an EAA Chapter with 30 projects and 8 VPs. What I find interesting is that of this date, all six projects completed ad flown in Ireland are all Evans VPs. Take a bow sir! Recently I gave a lecture to the Royal Aeronautical Society showing sides of construction and also flight. Then I ran your film, made by VW America, of Beatty doing aerobatics with a camera an engine cowl. With music, it wowed them. Hope to fly the VP to Cranfield, and if weather good to Epinal and meet you there. All the best. |
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CANADA - J. Laing I have flown my VP-1, GUPY, for 22 years and completed 1430 hours of flight covering 50,000 miles in cross country. First ring job at 1345 hrs. Not bad for 3,000 to 3,200 rpm continuous. Engine was built from all new parts and magnafluxed before assembly. In the beginning I stripped plug threads a few times until I learned better. After occupying a little over 30% of my life, GUPY was delivered to the National Aviation Museum somewhat emotionally. Even my wife admitted that she didn't show as much emotion when the kids left home. |
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ENGLAND - F. Walker, Engineering Exec. PFA Some years ago I was talking with Frank Parker of the PFA bemoaning the fact that none of the plans available really fitted the needs of our members. Our thoughts turned to the need for the minimal airplane, but how many of these were not very practical in local airfields. However, exception makes the rule. To illustrate, I picked up the latest Sport Aviation showing a newcomer called the Volksplane, which looked a very sound job and simple enough for the beginner to finish. I wrote Bud Evans, asking for details and he replied giving a set of plans and full stressing data. It was obviously a well thought out airplane designed by a practical engineer. Since that day that many VPs have been built, and Robert Lowe not only built one but also found the time to write about it as he worked. I hope you have as much fun and satisfaction as he did, when he finally took to the air in his own VP. |
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ENGLAND - R. Selby, Capt. British Airways
I started building a VP-1 25 years ago, but someone else finished the project and its still flying in the north of England. Despite my failure to complete, I could never get the VP out of my mind. Recently, within 10 years of retirement from BA, it seemed a good time to start something I could fly after retirement. I looked around at all the little airliners and warbird pretenders, but nothing had replaced the simplicity, ruggedness, charm and honesty of your classic design. Yes, I bought my second set of VP plans and started over. Anyway, many thanks for creating this wonderful, eternal design which has been on my mind for a quarter of a century. I enclose my card. If you ever fly BA, look for me. |
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NEBRASKA - Dr. D. Gerner I am still flying my VP-1 22 years after completion, and it still draws attention. After 10 years in the open cockpit I bought a Comanche 180 and sold the VP. From there on whenever I got near the VP, it kept calling to me. So, I bought it back and completely remodeled it with enclosure, raised turtleback, new engine cowl, and wheel pants. I am taking it 300 miles to an air show at Minden, Neb. next week. I fly the Comanche for business and family trips, but the VP can't be beat for good old stick and rudder flying. |
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SOUTH CAROLINA - V. Whatley 34 pilots flew my VP-1 in a day and a half at the Wings and Wheels Fly-in. It is in the N12VW logs, and was witnessed by several hundred including EAA Paul Poperezny and Jack Cox. It is no hoax. No problems, a ball was had by all. Grand total on airplane to date 46 pilots. |