Thatcher CX5, Thatcher two place CX 5 plans built experimental amateurbuilt aircraft
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- Thatcher CX5, Thatcher two place CX 5 plans built experimental amateurbuilt aircraft.
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Thatcher CX5, Thatcher two place CX 5 plans built experimental amateurbuilt aircraft
The thing that has always attracted me to airplanes is their beauty and graceful lines. From the time I was a boy, I wanted to design and build an airplane with what I liked best about the way airplanes look. I wanted it to be easy to make, economical and with a closed cockpit so you could fly it all year long. The cockpit needed to be big enough to handle me a 6' plus person comfortably, so I made a wooden mockup of the cockpit first.
I am a high school graduate and a graduate from Embry-Riddle School of Aeronautics for Aircraft Mechanics and have been continually active in general aviation for over 50 years, with countless hours of hands-on experience in sheet metal, welding, engine build-up, and all the other skills necessary to be an aircraft mechanic. Now that I'm retired, I found I had the time, space and a few funds to build an airplane, I felt might be wanted by many homebuilders that do not have unlimited funding, but have the same dream I had.
I chose a VW engine because I think it is the most economical, smoothest running reliable power pack available and it has a good support team in Great Plains Aircraft Supply.
The aircraft is constructed with 6061T-6 aluminum and assembled on a 16' table with a 3"X¼" steel angle attached to the side used to make most of the bends in the metal. There are no special jigs required. The ribs and bulkheads are formed over wood. The engineering was calculated at 4 Gs and tested to 5.8 Gs
The airplane is quite simple and easy to make. The main center section and wing spars are made first and the wing attach points are drilled together to set the wing dihedral, the spars are separated and the wings constructed. The completed wings are joined to the center section spar and the center section is built up with the wings attached. Now you know that the wings will fit the airplane when completed. The center section is removed and set on the 16 foot table and the fuselage is built up around the center section. I used mostly Avex flush rivets, which are pulled rivets. This made it possible to build the complete aircraft by myself except for a few operations.
The performance has been the real surprise for me. I never dreamed it would fly so great. It has a very gentle stall and is easy to land. I have only 300 total flight time as a private pilot yet I got in it and flew it without any trouble at all. It is stable and faster than I thought. I'm flying along with my hands folded in my lap, working off the 40 hours needed to complete the requirements. When the wing drops a little I just add a little opposite rudder and the wing comes right back up, never having to touch the stick. It has excellent cross wind handling too.
I fly out over the beach here in Pensacola and look down at the people and wonder if they have any idea how happy this 75 year old man is to be up here in his airplane that he made himself.
David Thatcher, Sr.
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www.ultralightf... - Thatcher CX5, Thatcher two place CX 5 plans built experimental amateurbuilt aircraft
• Thatcher CX5, Thatcher...
OK !For the first time we’re not abusing the word affordable, good looking airplane, thumbs up.
Just bought the plans and I spoke with Dave and he is a great guy
We are waiting for the CX7 !
That is a slick looking beast... I like it a lot.
Very nice! Actually affordable!! 👍👍
Fist bumps 👊👊👊👊👊, high fives/pats on the back ✋✋✋✋✋, extra thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍
And....Slap Happys 😊 😤 👌 😍!!!
OLD FELLOWS UNITE: build, fly & LOVE "easy build", inexpensive, high quality, VW-based 3000cc!
(Hurry, no-one lasts forever....)
Thats kind of a concern I have, Mr. Thatcher aint a spring chicken. Hope hes teaching some younger guys? I was looking at a Vans kit, but oh boy is that and a rotax expensive. Heck, he says we can build this for the cost of the rotax 912is.
well a little more, but you get the idea.
I’ve helped a friend a little with his CX-5 build. The building process is definitely fun and simple. However the plans definitely aren’t as detailed as the sonex or zenith plans. One reason I am working on a zenith for the more user friendly plans.
Awesome job......thanks for sharing
I know he means well but theses Dan Johnson interviews are painful to watch. He never lets anybody finish speaking.
Nothing said about the panel hanging down below that looks like and airbrake.
I think it's an airbrake for easier landing (?)
Its in another video, search for the CX5 like he said. The CX5 has a glide ratio of 13:1, speedbrake increases the descent rate, yes.
What does the Thatcher cost to build? See 7:38 .
25K-30K depending on avionics
@@brent1041 ; I presume we could put a glass system in? Ima newbie, and have no preferences, but seems like older analogs would be more expensive? Any comments from experienced folks would be appreciated?
Nice. Seems very economical. Any issues getting one inspected? How does one make the canopy? Anyone in AL USA building one? Idea on when side-by-side seating might be ready?
No issues with inspection. Many CX-4 are already in the air with no issues. The canopy is a vacuum mold process that can be done DIY or purchased through a supplier, as many homebuilts are. The designer and the gentleman in the video are in Pensacola. Where in AL are you? The CX-7 is very near finished and should be done testing this year, last I heard an update.
@@NWTejas ; North Ala, Huntsville area. I didn't see anyone in the lists. Looks like the man that was making subassembly kits is no longer doing so.
Very interested in the seven I would love more information.
czcams.com/video/fK9HwcwdvrI/video.html
The Ultralight Flyer
Anyone with a set of plans? What are your thoughts?
When will the CX7 be ready?
He indicated later this year.
The Ultralight Flyer
The plane's nice, but I'm looking at the GMC Gad-About behind it. Only made the GMC MH for 5 years & the Gad-About was the rarest of the rare.
The nose gear is what ruined it
*Well, If you searched in later vids....You can build a nose gear or taildragger....Your choice.....Plus...I think its a forum that shows you how....**www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/threads/is-the-thatcher-cx-5-still-being-supported.27414/*
But. Tri-gear. 😥