G-GSCD (s/n 180) Jodel D140E

By Will Greenwood

Ifirst discovered the giant Jodel on a French mountain pilots website, and having previously owned a D-140C many years ago, thought it was time to get another!

After plenty of searching, I found a ski-equipped example that was based at Courchevel in France. A deal was done – without the skis – not much use for those back here in the UK! The next challenge was delays in being able to travel due to the various Covid restrictions. Luckily, I have many friends in aviation and one particular French friend offered a temporary home for my new acquisition, so the Jodel was ferried to Toussus-le-Noble.

After a month, the restrictions were lifted and a friend flew me over to France to collect her, having taken the necessary precautions and tests for Covid. There followed a quick refuel and a departure for Le Touquet to clear customs before heading to Headcorn. Once formalities were done, there just remained a short flight home to Sussex. I enjoyed a few weeks flying her around in the UK before the French Permit expired.

Above Charlie Delta in her former life in the French mountains.

Below left Owner Will Greenwood leaning on the fuselage at Lasham with Brian Smith who assisted and recorded the flight test data. It looks like a Jodel, just much much bigger!

Below right A very neat and businesslike cockpit.

Having already spoken to LAA Engineering for advice before purchase, we started on a full inspection, with my friend Robert Cole (Cole Aviation) making a full inspection of the airframe and engine, which we were pleased to discover was in excellent condition, and testament to having been well maintained. A full pack was sent to LAA HQ, along with photos, and a Permit to Test was issued.

Flight testing commenced, of which the biggest task was ballasting the aircraft up to the MAUW of 1,200kg! The D140 is legendary for its ability to carry nearly its empty weight. This example has an empty weight of 669kg, so even with full fuel of 215 litres, there is still 380kg left for pilot and passengers. For testing, we used water barrels from Lasham Gliding Club to get her close to the MAUW.

The Jodel D-140E will cruise at 120kt at 2,400rpm, lifting its own weight and will still operate out of 450 metres. My family and I look forward to having plenty of adventures in her. The full Permit was issued just before the end of 2021, so we’re ready to go!

G-CMBK (LAA 340-15758) X-Air Hawk 912

By Gordon Salter

It will be 25 years next year that my company started selling X-Air microlights in the UK, with the X-Air being the first three-axis microlight to be certified, at what was then the new max weight of 450kg.

As our current demonstrator is about to celebrate its seventh birthday, we decided to build another, and l have kept a brief record of the process in pictures.

It was decided that having experimented with various engine combinations over the years that it was probably time to go down the tried and tested route and fit a Rotax 912. The X-Air kits comes (as many of you who have built one will know) like an adult-sized Meccano set and having built four X-Air Hawk kits fitted with Rotax 912 engines before, the first been G-CGCV and two others, which we supplied to a flying school in Copenhagen, I’m beginning to know how it all fits.

Below left to right and bottom left The Hawk taking shape in Gordon’s workshop.

Bottom right ’Bravo Kilo, finished and ready for test flying.

The kit was started in April 2021 and I’ve built it in my spare time, and as there was no pressure to get it finished I’ve really enjoyed the building process. It takes almost as long to unwrap the part you need next as it does to bolt it together, however, it still provides a great deal of satisfaction to see it take shape.

I have to confess that I still enjoy flying more than building, and get a real buzz from flying a machine for the very first time, so l am now looking for a weather window to commence the flight testing.

New Projects

If your aircraft has been featured in the New Projects list, please let Project News know of your progress at: projectnews@ laa-archive.org.uk

■ KFA Safari (LAA 402-15803) 24/12/2021

Mr R Stephens, Grand Court Farm House, Main Street, East Winch, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 1NG

■ Pietenpol Air Camper (LAA 047-15801) 13/12/2021

Mr I White, Lansdowne, 10 Henwood, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 5JX

If your aircraft has featured recently in the magazine and has subsequently completed its maiden flight, Project News would like to hear from you at: projectnews@laa-archive.org.uk

■ G-ELNA TL2000UK Sting Carbon S4 (LAA

■ Van’s RV-8 (LAA 303-15802) 13/12/2021

Mr T Gravett, 10 Arun Walk, Faygate, Horsham, RH12 0BR

■ Van’s RV-14 (LAA 39315800) 8/12/2021

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

347A-15751) 1/12/2021

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

■ G-CLOZ KFA Explorer (LAA 417-15662) 24/12/2021

Mr Peter Marsden, 7 Primrose Road, Hersham, Walton-On-Thames, KT12 5JD