rehashed bensen question??

[drleon]

i've been wondering about building a bensen copy
have spare parts from a single seater air command lying around
in south africa the only homebuilt's allowed are bensen's, and kb's
i even have an old mac engine
any suggestions?

[GyroDoug]

Why would the government only allow older and less stable machines in the homebuilt arena? That seems pure crazy to me!

[drleon]

they do allow newer gyro's
but
for homebuilt's only tried and proven
it can be modified later

[drleon]

The question is if the bensen is still a vaible cheaper option for fun flying taking into account changes to the tail etc.
Need to make up my mind re bensen
Or otherwise kb3
Cannot find plans for kb3 though

[Gyro28866]

A stock Bensen with a Mac or VW is real close to CLT.
If you plan on using a rotax or other engine and spin a larger than 52" propellor, then you will have to modify it to a drop keel design to keep it at CLT.
My B7m Mac powered Bensen will fly hands off and has no bad habits.
the second pic is a B8 with overhead stick

[Ron Iaconis]

Originally Posted by GyroDoug

Why would the government only allow older and less stable machines in the homebuilt arena? That seems pure crazy to me!

Why oh Why do you act as the final word regarding stability ????????

[drleon]

I have an 72 hp mac in pars that i want to revive
Will get cdi ignition
Little scared of mac attacks

[drleon]

i am able to get a brand new 447 with tuned exhaust, maybe 2 carbs
are they underpowered for a bensen with dropped keel if the pilot weighs 187 pounds?
i will probably use newer rotors anyway