The Italian C.A.P. (E.A.A. Chapter 459) gave two prizes for the best ultralight project during the Carpi meeting of 1997 (prize “Giancarlo Maestri”) and 1999 (“Caproni Cup”); subsequently the project was improved in many aspects and the drawings were
updated several times.
Further charges and refinements have led to the creation of the "Piuma Evolution", motor glider more high performance and comfort (it is currently the most built version) and the faster "Piuma Tourer", same fuselage, but with wings of
a different profile and size.
A few years later, a side-by-side two-seater was designed, the Piuma Twin, later replaced by the Piuma Twin Evolution, which incorporated the improvements suggested by 9 years of construction of the Twin, with a more streamlined fuselage
and a tail configuration similar to the single-seat Piuma Evolution; some single-seater and two-seater constructions are visible on the site, both in flight and under construction.
The project and drawings for the new Piuma Almerico were completed in 2013, with 2 side-by-side seats and wings with a more gliding profile and greater aspect ratio.
The author started but then suspended its construction, introducing various changes to modify it into a single-seater (more suited to his needs), replacing some already built parts with new elements and at the same time completing the relative
calculations, manuals and drawings, now available with the name of Piuma Almerico Mono - one seat.
Each project is conceived with aeronautical criteria: in addition to the large technical drawings (24” x 39”, a Construction Book is available (which includes a note of the materials to be purchased, from aviation birch plywood to Spruce fillets,
to the aluminum alloy, fiberglass, glues, etc.).
A Project Book is also attached, with calculations, graphs and drawings relating to both the calculation of forces, sizing and verification of structures, prediction of flight characteristics, Airfoils - Drag - Lift - Efficiency - Speed Vx, Vy, VNE,
V Stall, Center of Gravity - etc.
There is also a DVD with many photos of the details under construction and of Piuma in flight; the DVD also includes the CAD drawings for Laser or CNC cutting of various aluminum and plywood parts (see details on the site pages).
Method of construction, assembly and costs
With the exception of a few parts that need to be turned and milled, there is nothing a hobbyist can't do at home with basic equipment such as a power jigsaw, sander, drill press, vise, files, sandpaper, and so much passion.
Assembly and disassembly are quick (about 30 minutes for one person); a normal hang glider trailer, modified to be able to support the wings, is good for transporting all the Piuma models.
The costs are extremely low when compared to a motor glider or commercial aircraft, while the necessary construction time depends on the meticulousness of the builder and on the choice of single or two-seater; on the model pages there are more details.
Bibliography
- L'ALIANTE - Dott. Ing. Stelio Frati
- CALCOLI DI STRUTTURE AERONAUTICHE - Dott. Ing. Michelangelo Flaccavento
- COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE - Dott. Ing. Mario Ribaldone
- AERODINAMICA PRATICA - Dott. Ing. Michelangelo Flaccavento
- PRONTUARIO PER IL CALCOLO DI ELEMENTI STRUTTURALI - Diagio Furioni - Claudio Messina - Leonardo Paolini
- THEORY OF WING SECTIONS - Ira H. Abbot - Albert E. Von Doenhoff
- HANDBOOK OF AIRFOIL SECTIONS FOR LIGHT AIRCRAFT - M.S. Rice
- Profili 2 Pro - Stefano Duranti - great software for wing profiles
- Some magazines EXPERIMENTER and SPORT AVIATION of the EAA (USA)
