Smallest twin in the world

Mike · 02-08-10, 11:24 PM

All you "BIG" airplane drivers, check this out. Pretty amazing. Can't be more than 500-600 lbs. without pilot?

YouTube - Smallest Twin in the World.wmv

I hope there is a parachute in that thing, for legality

)

Pete McCluskey. · 02-08-10, 11:57 PM

A pretty well known French ultra lite. The first version flew in the 70's I believe. Fun little jigger.

Al Jones · 02-09-10, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikegaan

I hope there is a parachute in that thing, for legality

)

Whole aircraft chute, ala ultralight, might be a better choice

Paul Thompson 'Hooligan' · 02-09-10, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikegaan

All you "BIG" airplane drivers, check this out. Pretty amazing. Can't be more than 500-600 lbs. without pilot?

Even lighter than you think Mike - try 63kg...

Cri-Cri Homebuilt | Technical description of the Cri-Cri aircraft

Jack Houpe · 02-09-10, 05:54 AM

In the first of the video, there is a Carbon Sting behind the little twin. Sorry to get off the tread but I got excited to see one.

David Morton · 02-09-10, 06:32 AM

Just imagine - Retractable gear, Some basic nav kit, a basic heater and carrying about 5 hours fuel and you have an incredible commercial camera platform. Being a twin would also mean possible camera work over built up areas such as London. I confess I used to use a Cessna 337 for similar but used to shut down the front engine. Much quieter as well and it had good nav kit and a good wing leveller so I could pour my coffee and have a sandwich while using the Wild RC10 Cameras. Fantastic endurance as well.

Jack Houpe · 02-09-10, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Morton

Just imagine - Retractable gear, Some basic nav kit, a basic heater and carrying about 5 hours fuel and you have an incredible commercial camera platform. Being a twin would also mean possible camera work over built up areas such as London. I confess I used to use a Cessna 337 for similar but used to shut down the front engine. Much quieter as well and it had good nav kit and a good wing leveller so I could pour my coffee and have a sandwich while using the Wild RC10 Cameras. Fantastic endurance as well.

I flew a mix-master too, it was a wonder safe airplane with lots of noise, thank God for Boise noise canceling headsets. Turn off one engine, all it did was slow down 25 knots. I had the extended tanks, 128 gallons of fuel if I remember, had almost 12 hours of flying with the engines pulled back.

I am not so sure I would want to fly that small of an airplane. I think the carbon sting I had was too small in windy conditions. It weighed 880 lbs dry.

David Morton · 02-09-10, 07:41 AM

I used the DC headset with extra gun cotton in the ear capsule and cotton covers
on the plastic seal and turned up the speaker as well. 128 us Gals would be about right - I took 102 Imperial gallons once and still had about 5 galls remaining. The biggest problem on the longer jobs was to slow down the rate of drink intake to keep the bladder comfortable. I don't think I ever had to land just to urinate but the first pee after landing was usually behind the back engine. This one also had the obligatory 8 track stereo and legend has it a certain famous blonde (no names, no pack, drill initials JM) sorted out someone in the back.
system as well.

Mike Trusty · 02-09-10, 08:07 AM

Wait, that's me in the picture looking over the Sting wing. Jack could you send me that picture? I remember that trip very well. We need to do that again. I also have many fond memories in the "Chick Magnet", "Mix Master" 337.

Jack Houpe · 02-10-10, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtrusty

Wait, that's me in the picture looking over the Sting wing. Jack could you send me that picture? I remember that trip very well. We need to do that again. I also have many fond memories in the "Chick Magnet", "Mix Master" 337.

I wish we could Mike. Being neither of us are current it would be illegal but remember that barn upside down?? HA Pic is on the way.

Chris Simpson · 02-10-10, 10:31 AM

I know someone who had a Cri Cri but has now sold it. It appeared to be a practical aircraft for going up and having fun doing aerobatics. You wouldn't want to do any distance in it, however. It is perfectly legal in the UK and doesn't need a ballistic parachute.

The Carbon Sting is having trouble getting approval here - if it is the same aircraft type from the Czech Republic. I don't know what the problem is but it would either be structural or the handling qualities in flight. All new experimental aircraft types here are subject to an approval process, which is very comprehensive involving load testing and full stress analysis of the airframe and also investigation of the flying qualities.

Chris

Rune · 02-10-10, 11:03 AM

I once thougth of building a Cri-Cri, but instead I went for two canard planes(Cozy and a Defiant)Both completed and flying.
It's a nice little toy, but in the early 80's the building cost where to high .
To day I wished that I had done the Cri-Cri. It would saved me for 10 years of building time:-).

Rick S. · 02-10-10, 11:42 AM

the video reminds me of the saying "there are bold pilots and old pilots. But there are no old bold pilots"

David Morton · 02-10-10, 12:04 PM

Rick - at least there is no Jesus Nut, has two engines and a glide capability. Not that demanding really to require anybody being bold.

Pete McCluskey. · 02-10-10, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rstallbaum

the video reminds me of the saying "there are bold pilots and old pilots. But there are no old bold pilots"

My flying instructor, one Doug L.... used to drill that into me. I always had the impression he thought I was a little too bold for my own good.
The same bloke who once did a circuit with me inverted in a chipmunk, we rolled out on short final. Needless to say there was a fair amount paper work to fill out after that lark.

Rick S. · 02-10-10, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Morton

Rick - at least there is no Jesus Nut, has two engines and a glide capability. Not that demanding really to require anybody being bold.

I guess for me it's part of stepping into a homebuilt and trying to fly the wings off...

Only thing worse, I guess, would be a home-built submarine...

A friend of mine, back in the 70's had his pilots license and a whopping 200 hours. He is now a Southwest Airlines pilot and will remain nameless, he got checked out in a Citabria, single engine aerobatic airplane. Picked me up after his check ride and we went out to do some aerobatics, of course without instruction. Couldn't understand (then) why we kept falling out of a slow roll as soon as we were upside down, I don't know how many g's we pulled that day, but it was a pretty dumb stunt.