Rihn DR-109

Last updated
DR-109
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Ashcraft Aero Works
Designer Dan Rihn
Status Plans available (2013)
Number built at least 12 (2013)
Unit cost
US$50,000 (kit, less engine, 1998)
Developed from Rihn DR-107 One Design

The Rihn DR-109 is an American aerobatic homebuilt aircraft that was designed by Dan Rihn. The aircraft was supplied by Jim Kimball Enterprises of Zellwood, Florida and more recently by Ashcraft Aero Works of Aurora, Illinois in the form of plans. It was designed for competition aerobatics as well as a trainer for the Rihn DR-107 One Design. [1] [2] [3]

United States federal republic in North America

The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States or America, is a country composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions. At 3.8 million square miles, the United States is the world's third or fourth largest country by total area and is slightly smaller than the entire continent of Europe's 3.9 million square miles. With a population of over 327 million people, the U.S. is the third most populous country. The capital is Washington, D.C., and the largest city by population is New York City. Forty-eight states and the capital's federal district are contiguous in North America between Canada and Mexico. The State of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east and across the Bering Strait from Russia to the west. The State of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U.S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, stretching across nine official time zones. The extremely diverse geography, climate, and wildlife of the United States make it one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries.

Homebuilt aircraft planes constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity

Homebuilt aircraft, also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch," from plans, or from assembly kits.

Zellwood, Florida Census-designated place in Florida, United States

Zellwood is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,817 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

Design and development

The DR-109 is a monoplane that features a cantilever low-wing, two seats in a tandem enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed conventional landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration. [2]

Monoplane fixed-wing aircraft with a single main wing plane

A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with a single main wing plane, in contrast to a biplane or other multiplane, each of which has multiple planes.

Cantilever beam anchored at only one end

A cantilever is a rigid structural element, such as a beam or a plate, anchored at one end to a support from which it protrudes; this connection could also be perpendicular to a flat, vertical surface such as a wall. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs. When subjected to a structural load, the cantilever carries the load to the support where it is forced against by a moment and shear stress.

Tandem arrangement in which people, machines, or animals are in line behind one another facing forward

Tandem, or in tandem, is an arrangement in which a team of machines, animals or people are lined up one behind another, all facing in the same direction.

The aircraft fuselage is made from welded 4130 steel tubing, covered in sheet aluminum. The tail surfaces feature steel tube spars, sheet aluminum ribs, are covered with doped aircraft fabric and are cable-braced. The 24.0 ft (7.3 m) span wing is constructed in one piece and has Douglas fir spars with plywood ribs and covering. The wing employs a Wainfan 16% symmetrical airfoil and has a wing area of 114.00 sq ft (10.591 m2). The wing has almost full-span ailerons and no flaps. Other features include a 48 in (121.9 cm) wide cockpit. [2] [4]

Fuselage aircraft main body which is the primary carrier of crew, passengers, and payload

The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section. It holds crew, passengers, and cargo. In single-engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, as well, although in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselage, which in turn is used as a floating hull. The fuselage also serves to position control and stabilization surfaces in specific relationships to lifting surfaces, which is required for aircraft stability and maneuverability.

Aircraft dope

Aircraft dope is a plasticised lacquer that is applied to fabric-covered aircraft. It tightens and stiffens fabric stretched over airframes, which renders them airtight and weatherproof.

Douglas fir species of tree

Pseudotsuga menziesii is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae. It is native to western North America and is known as Douglas fir, Douglas-fir, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. There are two varieties: coast Douglas-fir, and Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir.

The DR-109 can accept engines of 200 to 300 hp (149 to 224 kW). The standard powerplant used is the 260 hp (194 kW) Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 six cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine. [2]

Lycoming O-540 family of flat-six piston aircraft engines

The Lycoming O-540 is a family of air-cooled six-cylinder, horizontally opposed fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter engines of 541.5 cubic inch displacement, made by Lycoming Engines. The engine is a six-cylinder version of the four-cylinder Lycoming O-360.

Aircraft engine engine designed for use in powered aircraft

An aircraft engine is a component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines, except for small multicopter UAVs which are almost always electric aircraft.

The aircraft has an empty weight of 1,495 lb (678 kg) and a gross weight of 2,275 lb (1,032 kg), giving a useful load of 780 lb (350 kg). With full fuel of 46 U.S. gallons (170 L; 38 imp gal) the payload is 504 lb (229 kg). [2]

The designer estimates the construction time as 1300 hours. [2]

Operational history

In November 2013 11 examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration, with another one previously registered and now removed. [5]

Specifications (DR-109)

Data from AeroCrafter and Lednicer [2] [4]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 205 mph (330 km/h; 178 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 178 mph (286 km/h; 155 kn)
  • Stall speed: 58 mph (93 km/h; 50 kn)
  • Range: 534 mi (464 nmi; 859 km)
  • Rate of climb: 2,800 ft/min (14 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 19.96 lb/sq ft (97.5 kg/m2)

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Experimental Aircraft Association (2013). "Rihn DR-107 & DR-109". Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 108. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN   0-9636409-4-1
  3. ↑ Ashcraft Aero Works (2017). "Products" . Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  4. 1 2 Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage" . Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  5. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (1 December 2013). "Make / Model Inquiry Results" . Retrieved 1 December 2013.
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