Airchair Update Page

by Mike Sandlin ................. Last Update:  July 4, 2009 (Pig update)

 

On the fourth of July, 2009, in my backyard, the Pig is partly assembled with its newly mounted Walmart boat seat. Note the fabric faired struts, and the open frame, "prismatic" rudder pedals, which I like a lot because they are really stiff. The tops of the wings have been silvered for protection from sunlight. 

       

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Old Stuff

Technical drawings of the Pig are now available for on line viewing or download. See the Basic Ultralight Glider homepage menu for links.

Want to see the Pig on video? Here it is, but it's not moving! It's tied down at El Mirage, last September. Anyway, have a look at Solar-flight.com/news .

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    The Pig has flown high and has successfully completed its basic maneuvering tests. Ground tows,  360 degree turns, and bank reversals were performed with excellent results.

Photo by  Eric Lentz Gauthie

These flights were made at  El Mirage Dry Lake, near Victorville, California, on September 24 & 25, 2008.

        

 Photos by  Eric Lentz Gauthier

Photo by  Eric Lentz Gauthier

 

 

Photo by  Eric Lentz Gauthier

The nose down takeoff and landing is standard in wind, but tail down starts and stops work in light conditions. The radio was used to give instructions to the driver for hookup and while on tow.

Eric Raymond is seated in the Pig above. He is best known for the design and flying of the Sunseeker, his solar electric airplane (see his  website at  solar-flight.com ).

  
Photo by  Eric Lentz Gauthier

The Pig is intended to be forgiving of error and to take a lot of abuse.  At this point the Pig is looking like a winner. It flies well on line tow and rolling slope launches, and maneuvers well with its two axis control system. I haven't established its ground rolling cross wind limits yet, but I've seen enough to think that with proper procedures these situations will not be unduly restrictive.

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