WELCOME MINIMALIST AIRPLANE FANS!

We are a study group devoted to small, safe, economical, and fun minimalist airplanes.

All are welcome to join in this Leonardo da Vinci spirited study of the essence of minimalist airplane flight. We embrace an eclectic style mixing relevant classic and modern themes in aviation, mathematics, and science with a kindly emphasis on energetic group dynamics and synergy. Please feel free to initiate or discuss any topic within these broad themes.

William Rich
Host

Denis N. Afanassyev
Technical Lead

OUR GROUP IS ACADEMICALLY ORIENTED AND OUR WORK PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ACTUAL FULL-SCALE AIRCRAFT
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HOT TOPICS:

Free Piston Linear Generator (FPLG)
E-Volo Multicopter
Paraglider/Hangglider Hybrid
Lazaire Electric
e-Go Composite Canard
Rotron Wankel
Spacek SD-1 MiniSport
Afanassyev Kitten Piglet
Solo by AyerCraft
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DEFINITION:

Minimalist Airplane – A single-seat (or possibly two-seat) airplane with a gross weight of approximately 500-1000 lbs and the performance, reliability, and privileges of an American Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). A stunning example of a minimalist airplane is the Colomban MC-30 La Luciole that weights 240 lbs and can carry a 200 lb pilot at over 100 mph using only 25 horsepower.
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GROUP CHARTER:

A. Study small, safe, economical, portable, and fun minimalist airplanes.

B. Identify and define specific minimalist airplane concepts using modern aircraft development lifecycle methods.

C. Determine which concepts are currently available, can be build from available components, or must be designed and built from scratch.

D. Investigate materials and methods applicable to minimalist airplanes.
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RECOMMENDED TEXT:

Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach, by Daniel P. Raymer
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