Ron: This Fokker is one of my own design, much updated with modern airfoil, ailerons, different tailplane and such, but meant to look very much like original in planform. Since it's almost full size with 29' wingspan, it weighs in at 510 lbs empty, and while the flying wires do the major work in supporting wing loads, the forward and aft spars of each wing fit 18" into two fuselage spar boxes, extending to each side, forming a short midwing center section, integral with the fuselage. The first is just forward of the instrument panel, the other on the aft cockpit bulkhead. Even in the event of a parted wire, the spars would still carry much of the load - kinda "belt and suspenders" approach. With the typical main support pylon, there are four turnbuckles attached at each side, this being the one area of contention when it comes time to dismount the wings. Since I really like the Flybaby, particularly a two place version, I am considering it for a next project, but I would really like to keep something on the field that I won't have to take down - just drive out to the airport and fly. Even towing the trailer around town with people creeping up to get a look makes one nervous. Not the time for a fender bender and aircraft crash all at once. The Fokker was featured in the Nov./Dec. issue of VW Aviation News. My thanks to Keith Schindler for such an outstanding publishing job. Irv Furman Ron Wanttaja wrote: > FlyBaby > > Jill Rosenkrantz wrote: > > > > FlyBaby > > > > Ron: I like to hear the wires on my Fokker as well, knowing that the wings are > > still attached, but the simple truth is, that it's really a royal pain every time > > I have to rig the thing, when taking it off the trailer. If they had some tie > > down space available, here at Lee Field, where I fly from, I would gladly take > > them up on it. Forget hanger space - just does'nt exist around here, unless I > > want to travel an hour by car. Yes, flying wires, like suspenders do the job, but > > then someone invented the "belt". > > Hmmm...I assume your Fokker's bracing wires are all separate. On a Fly > Baby, the flying and landing wires are joined to either shackles or a > steel strap; when the wings come off, instead of being stuck with > sixteen separate wires, you have four bundles. Not only that, but you > don't have to "re-rig" the beast after reattaching the wings, since none > of the turnbuckles except the single master one is disturbed. > > I assume you've got one of the Basler Eindekkers. If so, you've got a > pretty light wing and can handle it by yourself. A cantilever wing is > going to be a heavy handful. If you want to pull the wings off or put > them on, you probably can't do it alone. With the wingtip fitting and a > section of broomstick, you can fold and unfold a Fly Baby's wings > yourself...pretty important if you're going to keep the plane at home > and transport it to the airport when you want to fly. > > Ron Wanttaja > ikvamar@gte.net >