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MCR-01 Sportster - VH-SIP

Update - June 2003

The first flight of my MCR "Sportster" went perfectly, with only minor adjustment needed.

She climbs at more than 1500 fpm. Speed is around 150 kt. Stall at 50 kt or less.

I am now about half way through the test period. I am very well pleased. She is a lovely aircraft!

Update - April 2003

Engine has been run. Fuel flow tests OK at all weird attitudes. Placards installed. Weighed in at just 260 kg. I am very pleased.

I will continue with the checks just as soon as my broken ribs allow.

Update - February 2003

MCR "Sportster"

I have been preparing the fuselage for painting. It is now at Aeropaint at Jandakot. Should be back in my hangar in March for the finishing work.

Update - January 2003

Just about ready for painting

Beginning of the Story

My project is a Michel Colomban/Christophe Robin design, Type MCR01. Mine is the "Lafayette Sportster" 2 seater with a Rotax 912S turning an MT electric propeller.

The carbon fibre fuselage mouldings are complete. The first week was spent on getting the large carbon fibre gear leg in place, the wheels and brakes installed and wheel fairings trimmed.

Under the guidance of my mentor, we assembled two wings in two days. The photos show the assembly of the spar - wood web with carbon fibre spar caps - the foam ribs - lots of epoxy delivered from an air powered mixing gun - then the assembly is wrapped with an aluminium skin and strapped down in a massive jig and left to cure for two days. For this operation the tooling is most impressive. The very heavy wooden jig has a form and a strap for each rib. Then we spent another day building four flaperons. Of course there were six flaperon brackets to install, but we had enough spare time to build a tailplane.

The carbon fibre structure with the sheet aluminium skin is very light. A lot of engineering has gone into this design. What makes the building progress so well is the organisation of the parts for sub assemblies, the tools on hand and the jigs and fixtures .

The fuselage started out on a hospital bed which could be jacked up and angled as needed. That's a great idea!

The panel is roughly in position. I sent these two pictures to Blue Mountain for planning the wiring.
That BIG hole on the left is for the EFIS - displays just about everything including Gyros, Alt, ASI, TAS, ROC, all engine stuff, maps and the time!

I receive excellent guidance from my mentor, a Danish guy named Poul Jeppeson who is QC chief at the workshop and is readily available for help.

I have been working for many hours on the mechanical fit out. The complication of nosewheel steering with inflight lock (as per Cessna), adjustable rudder pedals with hydraulic toe brakes each side will make an interesting story itself.

We work a 10 to 13 hour day. Marguerite also helps. Our studio where Marguerite and I live is very small, and there is no TV. So we are progressing well.

See you all later,

John & Margueriet Chesbrough
building in France

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