Earthstar Forums

Hi Mark,

This low cost steel is 3X stronger than chromoly. at Forbes, it was stated as being 7% stronger and 30% lighter than steel. http://www.bainitesteel.com

do you think it could lighten up the roll cage nicely?

rc

(off topic) Mark, Mark, have you ever tried on a Centurion's dress? this man resembles you so much, next to a Gull it may be neat PR

2 cents,
rc

(off topic) Mark, Mark, have you ever tried on a Centurion's dress? this man resembles you so much, next to a Gull it may be neat PR

2 cents,
rc

...except, not exactly ultralight or aerodynamic! Cool pic, though.

do not archive

But how much does it cost, weld, drill, and considering the amount of steel in the fuselage is it cost effective. I don’t know the actual weight of the roll cage, maybe 30# or so, and I suppose a true ultralight could use free #’s to put more stuff on, or if the build was getting a bit chunky.

Hi
The weight of the thundergull J frame is 24# Gull 2000 is 21# Odyssey is 31#
Happy Flying
Mark
Sent from my iPhone

I ya, there is 1# of powder coat

Sent from my iPhone

If it worked out to be 30% lighter than it would save 6.7 # off the weight of the frame. Reality is always less.
Happy flying
Mark

Sent from my iPhone

thank you. generally felt the frame was thrice as heavy. am sure thou must have considered any weight savings value in replacing the aluminum skin, as it mentions being twice as strong; maybe the thinness of the sheet is harder to work with..

found another rule of thumb about how 1% weights savings equates to ~0.75% fuel savings in the air; in the context of future windowless planes.
rc

Many times stronger and lighter materials are also more brittle and subject to cracking from vibration. I had to repair cracks in my rear boom tube support this year.

Mike S