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 Kibby
Guarding the Flock
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Joined: Jul 2009  NH, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 8:29:45 AM
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT I'm thinking right off that the best use would be for recon, but it would also put you in harms way from ground fire. Would it be even worth it to have one? What other uses would a small airplane, specifically an ultralight have in a survival scenario such as a collapse, or maybe even an invasion? If you had one, how would you put it to use? 
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Posted: 6/17/2012 8:50:34 AM
...oh so very Mad Max!
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Kibby
Guarding the Flock
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Joined: Jul 2009 NH, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 8:55:04 AM
Originally Posted By FNFalGuy:
...oh so very Mad Max! HA! Right! I didnt even think of that guy! 
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Posted: 6/17/2012 9:12:04 AM
[Last Edit: 6/17/2012 9:12:32 AM by safe1]
Chuck Slusarczyk who designed and built the CGS Hawk, worked with the IDF for cost effective border patrol. He said he had a great time shooting up the desert with UZI's mounted to the wings.
They figured that potential ground fire that made contact would hit 80% air when passing through the Dacron. They talked about running redundant supports of aircraft cable inside the wing struts since they are one of the most vulnerable "meet Jesus" items on the plane. Throw in some Kevlar under the cockpit to protect the pilot and it wouldn't be a bad idea. It never went beyond the research stage but the Chuck told the story, it sounded plausible. |
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Posted: 6/17/2012 10:04:13 AM
Good for hunting, or scouting out your hunt at least.
Maybe coordinate with your hunters on the ground via talkie. Probably massively useful for patrolling. Or like you said, route recon. Fly a dozen miles, relay to the group the route is clear, wait for them to catch up and do it again. Perfect BOV for the single guy with nothing to lose. Endless hours of fun. |
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Posted: 6/17/2012 10:14:42 AM
Kamikazee counter-attacks
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Posted: 6/17/2012 10:55:34 AM
[Last Edit: 6/17/2012 10:56:35 AM by NexQuietus]
I'll see and raise you a Rotor craft... HERE
I like the idea though. guy I know has one that he uses for fun now, but he bought it with SHTF in the back of his mind. He even put in a landing strip at his BOL. jim Edited to add... check out the videos from the craigslist ad, it looks sketchy, but cool at the same time. |
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Skibane
Brown Marmorated Stinkbug
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Joined: Aug 2001 TX, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 11:58:37 AM
Originally Posted By NexQuietus:
it looks sketchy, but cool at the same time. The very definition of an ultralight! |
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Posted: 6/17/2012 11:58:38 AM
Gyrocopter strafing runs?
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CJan_NH
Blissfully ignorant Colt KoolAid drinker...
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Joined: Jul 2003 NH, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 12:07:07 PM
[Last Edit: 6/17/2012 12:07:22 PM by CJan_NH]
Kibby, there is an ARFcommer local to us who is big into R/C prop planes and ducted fan jets. I'd like to combine his knowledge of R/C aircraft with my knowledge of long-haul wireless networking to build a model plane capable of real-time video. Real-time POV cameras in model planes are quite common, but I want to mount an image stabilized PTZ camera on an airframe capable of extended loiter time and GPS overlay. The tech has come way down in cost, and I'm starting to gather equipment. Ideally I'd like to have a testbed flying by fall if I can get schedules in sync
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slappomatt
Elevator constructor
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Joined: Jan 2006 USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 12:36:51 PM
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Kibby
Guarding the Flock
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Joined: Jul 2009 NH, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 1:15:26 PM
Originally Posted By NexQuietus:
I'll see and raise you a Rotor craft... HERE I like the idea though. guy I know has one that he uses for fun now, but he bought it with SHTF in the back of his mind. He even put in a landing strip at his BOL. jim Edited to add... check out the videos from the craigslist ad, it looks sketchy, but cool at the same time. Do you need a pilots license for one of those, or is it considered an ultralight? |
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Kibby
Guarding the Flock
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Joined: Jul 2009 NH, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 1:19:35 PM
Originally Posted By CJan_NH:
Kibby, there is an ARFcommer local to us who is big into R/C prop planes and ducted fan jets. I'd like to combine his knowledge of R/C aircraft with my knowledge of long-haul wireless networking to build a model plane capable of real-time video. Real-time POV cameras in model planes are quite common, but I want to mount an image stabilized PTZ camera on an airframe capable of extended loiter time and GPS overlay. The tech has come way down in cost, and I'm starting to gather equipment. Ideally I'd like to have a testbed flying by fall if I can get schedules in sync
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Thats not a bad idea either. If one could handle all of the high-tech stuff, it would certainly keep a person out of harms way whilst reconning a fwd area. I could imagine having drone-type RC planes loaded with dynamite, and triggered to explode on target. Flown by someone behind the safety of cover, it'd be a great way to bugger up the plans of any attackers laying siege to your location. Imagine how our boys back in WWII would have done with that technology avalable to them on such a smaller scale as we have it now? |
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Gingerbreadman
Just making it up as I go.
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Posted: 6/17/2012 2:23:26 PM
Ultralights have a very limited range and carrying capacity, which makes them a poor BOV.
FAR 103 (Ultralight) aircraft limits: -Single Occupant -Max empty weight of 254lbs (155lbs if unpowered) -5 gallons or less fuel capacity -55 knot max airspeed at full power and level flight -24 knot max stall speed In some unlikely hypothetical One Second After scenario, you could use one to scout an area, or maybe to travel a short distance that is otherwise impassable, provided the weather will allow it. As for a BOV, you are better off with a truck. |
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Posted: 6/17/2012 2:45:32 PM
[Last Edit: 6/17/2012 2:45:55 PM by EXPY37]
Most any aircraft [preferably with STOL capabilities] would have valuable capabilities in many senarios.
Just because they won't take you farther than a truck in some cases, doesn't mean they won't take you where a truck... ...WILL NEVER GET TO!  |
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Posted: 6/17/2012 3:17:34 PM
Originally Posted By Kibby:
Originally Posted By NexQuietus:
I'll see and raise you a Rotor craft... HERE I like the idea though. guy I know has one that he uses for fun now, but he bought it with SHTF in the back of his mind. He even put in a landing strip at his BOL. jim Edited to add... check out the videos from the craigslist ad, it looks sketchy, but cool at the same time. Do you need a pilots license for one of those, or is it considered an ultralight? single seat Ultralight no license needed, 2 seater, license needed. |
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Posted: 6/17/2012 3:19:01 PM
Originally Posted By Gingerbreadman:
Ultralights have a very limited range and carrying capacity, which makes them a poor BOV. FAR 103 (Ultralight) aircraft limits: -Single Occupant -Max empty weight of 254lbs (155lbs if unpowered) -5 gallons or less fuel capacity -55 knot max airspeed at full power and level flight -24 knot max stall speed In some unlikely hypothetical One Second After scenario, you could use one to scout an area, or maybe to travel a short distance that is otherwise impassable, provided the weather will allow it. As for a BOV, you are better off with a truck. you know you can get a 2 seater Ultralight, so for a single person and there gear to get to a BOL it would be just fine. BUT for a 2 seater you have to have a license pre SHTF, post SHTF no one is going to care. |
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Posted: 6/17/2012 3:25:49 PM
What about an airborne ham repeater station? I have a buddy looking to setup a brief case sized aerial repeater
Just a thought. S-1 Originally Posted By CJan_NH:
Kibby, there is an ARFcommer local to us who is big into R/C prop planes and ducted fan jets. I'd like to combine his knowledge of R/C aircraft with my knowledge of long-haul wireless networking to build a model plane capable of real-time video. Real-time POV cameras in model planes are quite common, but I want to mount an image stabilized PTZ camera on an airframe capable of extended loiter time and GPS overlay. The tech has come way down in cost, and I'm starting to gather equipment. Ideally I'd like to have a testbed flying by fall if I can get schedules in sync
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Skibane
Brown Marmorated Stinkbug
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Joined: Aug 2001 TX, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 3:26:22 PM
Originally Posted By Gingerbreadman:
Ultralights have a very limited range and carrying capacity, which makes them a poor BOV. FAR 103 (Ultralight) aircraft limits: -Single Occupant -Max empty weight of 254lbs (155lbs if unpowered) -5 gallons or less fuel capacity -55 knot max airspeed at full power and level flight -24 knot max stall speed In some unlikely hypothetical One Second After scenario, you could use one to scout an area, or maybe to travel a short distance that is otherwise impassable, provided the weather will allow it. As for a BOV, you are better off with a truck. What's the fuel consumption? No reason you couldn't carry extra fuel during an emergency... |
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Posted: 6/17/2012 3:35:14 PM
Depending on the engine, anywhere between1.5-3 gal/hr. Throttled back some guys have burned about a gallon per hour Many "ultralights" are on the fat side and a few have10 gal tanks which are forbiddeN
Originally Posted By Skibane:
Originally Posted By Gingerbreadman:
Ultralights have a very limited range and carrying capacity, which makes them a poor BOV. FAR 103 (Ultralight) aircraft limits: -Single Occupant -Max empty weight of 254lbs (155lbs if unpowered) -5 gallons or less fuel capacity -55 knot max airspeed at full power and level flight -24 knot max stall speed In some unlikely hypothetical One Second After scenario, you could use one to scout an area, or maybe to travel a short distance that is otherwise impassable, provided the weather will allow it. As for a BOV, you are better off with a truck. What's the fuel consumption? No reason you couldn't carry extra fuel during an emergency... |
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Kibby
Guarding the Flock
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Joined: Jul 2009 NH, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 4:17:05 PM
Originally Posted By EXPY37:
Most any aircraft [preferably with STOL capabilities] would have valuable capabilities in many senarios. Just because they won't take you farther than a truck in some cases, doesn't mean they won't take you where a truck... ...WILL NEVER GET TO! Kind of what I am on about, really. It goes without saying that an ultralight would be a poor choice for BOV, but in my mind the term BOV kind of applies to everything in the prepper's realm of transportation, right? Its just a label. Obviously, my F150 is a superior BOV in almost every way that an ultralight airplane, well, except the capability of fllight, but I am still working on that! 
Its plausible that someone could "happen upon" a UL aircraft of some kind, and in that scenario it may be fun to imagine the possible uses for it, and thats why I started this thread. Its just an opportunity to think outside the box a little, and draw attention away from the ubiquitous - and somewhat shopworn - BOB threads and the like. |
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CJan_NH
Blissfully ignorant Colt KoolAid drinker...
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Posted: 6/17/2012 4:17:07 PM
Originally Posted By safe1:
What about an airborne ham repeater station? I have a buddy looking to setup a brief case sized aerial repeater Just a thought. S-1 Hmm, never thought about that
Maximizing time on station would be key, just like with a reconnaissance platform. Hmm... Thanks for mentioning this S-1 
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PBIR
I want you to take a step back...
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Joined: Sep 2004 TN, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 4:30:49 PM
Originally Posted By CJan_NH:
Kibby, there is an ARFcommer local to us who is big into R/C prop planes and ducted fan jets. I'd like to combine his knowledge of R/C aircraft with my knowledge of long-haul wireless networking to build a model plane capable of real-time video. Real-time POV cameras in model planes are quite common, but I want to mount an image stabilized PTZ camera on an airframe capable of extended loiter time and GPS overlay. The tech has come way down in cost, and I'm starting to gather equipment. Ideally I'd like to have a testbed flying by fall if I can get schedules in sync
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Check this out: http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/ |
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PA22-400
The first SF shower pic
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Posted: 6/17/2012 4:40:49 PM
coffee + shade + easy chair
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CJan_NH
Blissfully ignorant Colt KoolAid drinker...
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Joined: Jul 2003 NH, USA
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Posted: 6/17/2012 8:43:36 PM
Originally Posted By PBIR:
Originally Posted By CJan_NH:
Kibby, there is an ARFcommer local to us who is big into R/C prop planes and ducted fan jets. I'd like to combine his knowledge of R/C aircraft with my knowledge of long-haul wireless networking to build a model plane capable of real-time video. Real-time POV cameras in model planes are quite common, but I want to mount an image stabilized PTZ camera on an airframe capable of extended loiter time and GPS overlay. The tech has come way down in cost, and I'm starting to gather equipment. Ideally I'd like to have a testbed flying by fall if I can get schedules in sync
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Check this out: http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/ That's exactly the software I've been playing with Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 6/17/2012 10:34:32 PM
Keep in mind that the license for the 2 seater ultralights is much easier to get than a normal pilot's license. When I looked into this, training costs were probably < 5000 dollars, potentially substantially less.
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