DIYer builds Peugeot AX 106 diesel engine powered wooden aircraft

Posted By: Vinod Sharma | Oct 18 2010

Some people dream, some strive to achieve them and some take them to the sky. Here is one guy who has can be credited for doing something that others have done little about. The creator has exploited the expertise gained in the automotive diesel engines and utilized it in creating a new two-seater diesel efficient, more economical, relatively simple to build and cheaper to operate micro light aircraft under the selected wings.

peugeot 106 diesel engine propelled diy aircraft

Powering the aircraft in takeoff is the Peugeot 106 which is also on the Citroën AX. It's the smallest diesel to pump classical market (1.4 liter) and that is all aluminum, it gives to 53cv 5000t/mn to 80 kg naked. The DIY plane’s parts including the fuselage and the spar are made of wood and carbon (carbon bonded wood and laminated sticks, carbon is bought in ready-made bars). The ribs are made of foam and the CP is coated with an epoxy glass fabric.

The powertrain consists a main gear which is made of glass epoxy and is attached to the fuselage frames by rubber mountings. Apart from this, the 400/4 wheels are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, the front leg consists of a telescopic tube 25CD4S, the suspension is made by elastic rings and the pedals operate the rudder via cables. The size of the front wheel is 350/4 on the plane and 400/4 on ULM.

Peugeot AX 106 engine powers the plane to have a maximum cruising speed of 250km/h, rate of climb is 1000 feet per minute, the fuel consumption in the early 20h is 5.6 l / h at 180-2, and takeoff distance as well as landing space is 350m and 200m respectively. Given its small size, the plane can be built in a car garage and the final cost of the aircraft in flying condition is estimated between 7500 and 8000 euro, remains which remains well below the purchase of a Rotax engine only.