Amihan STOL — Design Specification Book

A living document. Every design decision recorded with its reasoning. Add to it as the design evolves — nothing here is locked unless explicitly stated.

CHAPTER 1 — PROJECT GOALS & DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

What This Aircraft Is For

The Amihan STOL is a two-seat, high-wing, cantilever monoplane designed for short-field and water operations in a coastal and island environment. It is designed to operate from short gravel strips, beaches, and sheltered water — the kind of terrain where a standard light aircraft is marginal and a floatplane is the normal answer. The goal is an aircraft that is genuinely capable in that environment, not merely certificated for it.

Primary roles:

Short-field bush flying — wheels on gravel, grass, or packed sand
Float operations — calm and moderate sea state
Cross-country cruise at 150 knots — the aircraft should not be slow everywhere, only slow when it needs to be
Emergency and utility use — the kind of aircraft that earns its keep

The Helio Courier as Inspiration

The Helio Courier is the reference aircraft for this design. It achieves a stall speed of approximately 30 mph at 2,800 lb gross through a combination of fixed full-span leading-edge slats, large Fowler flaps, full-span drooping ailerons (flaperons), and a clean high-aspect-ratio cantilever wing. It does this without tricks — the aerodynamics are honest and the slow-flight handling is docile.

The Amihan takes the same approach: invest the complexity budget in the high-lift system, keep the rest of the aircraft straightforward, and let the wing do the work.

The Modular Platform Concept

The Amihan wing is designed to serve two aircraft:

Amihan Glider — 42 ft span, foot-launched, single seat, ~385 lb gross. The original design. A soaring aircraft built for efficiency and foot-launchability.
Amihan STOL — same planform, same chord, same rib tooling and skin moulds, powered by the UL Power 520iS, side-by-side two seats, float or wheel undercarriage.

The two aircraft use different spars (different structural ratings) but share identical root pin geometry, root rib layout, and leading-edge tang position. The carry-through beam and fuselage-side hardware never change. Swapping between configurations is a matter of pulling three pins and lifting the wing clear.

This is not a compromise — it is a deliberate engineering constraint that forces the two designs to stay compatible at every interface that matters.

Design-To / Operate-At Weight Strategy

The Amihan STOL is designed to the 2,000 lb structural case (utility category, +3.8G/-1.5G limit, +5.7G/-2.25G ultimate) while targeting approximately 1,200 lb operating gross weight. The actual loaded weight with two crew, full fuel, and baggage comes out to approximately 1,440 lb — well within the structural envelope and comfortably below the 2,000 lb design case.

The purpose of this margin is not conservatism for its own sake. It is room to grow — heavier floats, additional equipment, a heavier engine variant — without triggering a structural redesign. The spar is sized once, correctly, to the 2,000 lb case. Everything else is sized to the real operating weight.

Design Philosophy in Summary

Build to real numbers, not optimistic ones
Invest complexity where it buys performance — the high-lift system — not where it merely adds features
Keep every load path explicit and inspectable
Design for the marine/float environment from the start, not as an afterthought
The experiment decides, not the theory — build, measure, adjust

CHAPTER 2 — AIRFRAME GEOMETRY

Overall Dimensions

ParameterValueNotesWing span42 ft (12.8 m)Full span, tip to tipWing chord4 ft (1.22 m), constantNo taper — simplifies tooling, ribs, skin mouldsWing area168 sq ft (15.6 m²)Span × chordAspect ratio10.5Span² / area — high for a powered aircraft; good for cruise efficiency and glideWing sectionNACA 65(2)-415Laminar-flow section, 15% thickness, max thickness at ~35% chordFuselage length22 ft (6.7 m)See tail moment arm rationale, Chapter 5Cabin width43 in (1.09 m)Matches PA-28-140 / Cessna 172 — proven side-by-side widthWing positionHigh wing, cantileverCarry-through above cabin roofSeat arrangementSide-by-side, two seatsPilot and passenger abreastUndercarriageWheels standard; floats possibleFloat attach geometry to be designed in from the start

Fuselage Length Rationale

An initial 20 ft fuselage was considered. At 20 ft, the wing-AC-to-stabilator moment arm is approximately 10 ft, which forces a ~27 sq ft stabilator and leaves the full-flap pitch trim margin uncomfortably tight — the additional downwash from full flaps risks consuming most of the stabilator's available nose-up authority at the point it is needed most (the flare).

At 22 ft, the moment arm grows to approximately 12 ft. The required stabilator area drops to ~22 sq ft, the trim range stays at the original ±5°, and the full-flap downwash margin becomes comfortable. The weight penalty for the extra 2 ft of aft fuselage is approximately 5-15 lb, partly offset by the lighter stabilator. The fuselage-to-span ratio at 22 ft is 0.52, comparable to the Helio Courier (0.54) and Cessna 185 (0.56).

Cabin Width Rationale

43 in matches the PA-28-140 (Cherokee 140) and Cessna 172 — proven, well-understood cabin widths for side-by-side seating. The carry-through beam spans 43 in at the cabin roof, keeping it short and light. Reference widths for context: Cessna 182/185 = 44 in, Helio Courier = 46 in, Piper PA-32 = 49 in, Sling High Wing = 47.2 in.

Wing Position and Carry-Through

High-wing configuration with the carry-through beam above the cabin roof. The main spar sits at 35% chord (the NACA 65(2)-415's maximum thickness location), which corresponds with the rear door post. This ties the primary wing structure directly to a major fuselage frame.

The carry-through is a short aluminium box beam spanning the 43 in cabin width at roof level, with steel lug ears at each end. Both the glider spar and the STOL spar attach to the same carry-through via identical pin geometry — no fuselage modification required to swap wings.

CHAPTER 3 — WING DESIGN

Aerofoil Section

The wing uses the NACA 65(2)-415 throughout the full span. This is a laminar-flow section with maximum thickness at approximately 35% chord — further aft than a conventional 4-series section. It delivers low cruise drag when the boundary layer stays attached, and reasonable lift characteristics at low speed when assisted by the slat system. The slat carries the high-lift burden entirely; the main element does not need to be a high-camber section.

When the slats deploy, the main element's exposed leading edge takes on a character close to a Clark Y — blunt, forgiving, with a gentle non-snapping stall. This is a useful property for a STOL aircraft and is a direct consequence of the separation cut geometry, not an accident.

Incidence and Cruise Attitude

Wing incidence is set at +2° to the fuselage reference line (FRL). This places the wing at its best lift-to-drag AoA during cruise, with the fuselage sitting at a roughly level 2–3° nose-up attitude. The pilot sees a near-level horizon in cruise without the nose-high attitude of a high-incidence design.

Planform

Constant chord, 4 ft (1.22 m) throughout. No taper, no twist. The rectangular planform stalls root-first naturally on this section — induced downwash reaches critical AoA at the root slightly before the tip — which preserves aileron authority through the stall without requiring washout. The constant chord also simplifies rib tooling: one rib profile serves the full span.

Span: 42 ft (12.8 m)

Chord: 4 ft (1.22 m) constant

Wing area: 168 sq ft (15.6 m²)

Aspect ratio: 10.5

Spar Position

The main spar sits at the point of maximum thickness — 35% chord, or 16.8 inches aft of the leading edge. This corresponds to the rear door post on the fuselage, tying the wing's primary structural load directly into one of the fuselage's heaviest frames. The wing aerodynamic centre (25% MAC) sits 4.8 inches forward of the main spar.

Laminar Flow Intent

The 65-series section rewards a clean leading edge. The slat system necessarily disturbs the boundary layer when deployed, but at the speeds where slats are used, laminar flow is not the priority. In cruise with slats closed, the leading edge is uninterrupted and the section performs as designed.

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CHAPTER 4 — HIGH-LIFT SYSTEM

Philosophy

The slat system is the heart of the Amihan's STOL performance. The investment in slat complexity pays for the docile low-speed handling and the low stall speed. Everything else in the design is kept simple.

Automatic leading-edge slats require no pilot input, no actuators, and no switches. At low angle of attack they are held closed by aerodynamic pressure. As AoA increases, a suction shift at the leading edge pulls the slat forward and down on its tracks, opening a slot that re-energises the boundary layer and delays stall. The pilot gets the benefit without managing it.

Layout

Full span, two sections per wing. Each section spans approximately 10.5 ft (half the 21 ft semi-span). The break between sections sits at the mid-span point and is faired with a wing fence.

Each section has its own independent torque tube running spanwise inside the slat body, connecting the two track stations at each end of that section. The torque tube's sole job is to keep the slat from cocking or skewing on its tracks — it carries no aerodynamic deployment load. Because the two sections are mechanically independent, each can deploy at its own rate without transmitting binding loads from one panel to the other, and each panel is self-contained for disassembly.

No differential deployment tuning between sections is needed. The constant-chord rectangular planform already stalls root-first naturally. Both slat sections deploy together and that is the correct outcome on this wing.

Track Geometry

Each slat section runs on two tracks, one at each end, mounted to structural rib stations in the leading-edge structure forward of the main spar. The track arc moves the slat simultaneously forward (opening the slot gap) and down (drooping the nose to increase effective camber) as it deploys. A straight track cannot do both cleanly; the track is therefore curved, with an arc radius of approximately 3–4 inches.

Track angle: approximately 15–20° nose-down to the chord line

Slat travel: approximately 1.5–2 inches forward, 0.8–1 inch down

Deployed droop: approximately 15–20° below the chord line

Before cutting aluminium, the arc geometry is to be verified against the foam leading-edge model. Mock up in card or thin ply, confirm the closed-position fit and deployed gap, then transfer to aluminium extrusion.

Track material: 6061-T6 aluminium extrusion (C or T section), bent to the arc radius on a bending jig.

Slot Geometry

The slot between the slat trailing edge and the new main-element leading edge is convergent — wider at the entry (leading-edge side) than at the exit (upper surface side). This accelerates the flow through the slot and re-energises the boundary layer on the main element's upper surface.

Target slot exit gap (trailing-edge gap at full deployment): 1.0–1.25 inches (approximately 2–2.5% chord). Below 1 inch the slot chokes; above 1.5–2 inches it becomes a pressure bleed rather than a controlled jet.

The slot exit should be positioned tangentially to the main element's upper surface at the new leading-edge stagnation point — the point where the boundary layer is most at risk of separating with the slat deployed. On the Amihan, this is approximately 1–2% chord of the new main element, very close to the new nose.

The slat trailing edge must be positioned forward of and slightly above the new main-element nose — not tucked behind it — so the accelerated jet attaches to the upper surface rather than dumping into the scoop cavity.

Main-Element Leading-Edge Profile

With the slat deployed, the new main-element leading edge is exposed. This begins approximately 1.25 inches aft of the original NACA nose point and curves smoothly up to rejoin the original upper camber line at approximately 5 inches aft — a slat chord of roughly 10% (4.8 inches on the 48-inch chord).

The lower termination of the separation cut ends in a rounded bull nose rather than a square cutoff. Radius approximately 0.75–1.2 inches (15–25% of slat chord). The rounded nose gives the new main-element LE a clean stagnation point at high AoA, tolerates track and fit variation in the closed position, and avoids separation at the nose when the slat is fully deployed and high-AoA inflow arrives from below. The slat's own trailing edge at the lower end is likewise rounded so the two surfaces nest cleanly when closed.

Wing Fence

A wing fence at the mid-span section break serves two purposes: it fairs the gap between the two slat sections, and it acts as an aerodynamic fence limiting spanwise boundary-layer migration and reinforcing the root-first stall progression. The fence is also a structural rib-doubler providing end support for the slat tracks at the break.

Rib Stations for Slat Attachment

Six structural rib stations per wing are required for the slat system:

4 track-attach ribs or doublers (one at each end of each of the two sections)
2 torque-tube support-bearing ribs (approximately mid-panel on each section)

These are additional to the wing's general rib spacing and must be checked against the overall rib layout plan.

CHAPTER 5 — TAIL DESIGN

Configuration

Conventional tail with a fin, rudder, and fuselage-mounted stabilator. The stabilator is a full-flying horizontal tail surface trimmed via an anti-servo tab. There is no fixed tailplane — the entire surface moves.

The stabilator is mounted low on the aft fuselage, as far below the wing wake as practical. This keeps it out of the high-AoA wake and avoids the deep-stall risk associated with T-tail configurations where the tail enters the wing wake and loses effectiveness at high angle of attack.

Fuselage Length and Moment Arm

Fuselage length: 22 ft (6.7 m)

Wing AC to stabilator hinge line: approximately 12 ft (3.66 m)

A 20 ft fuselage was considered first. At that length the moment arm is only ~10 ft, which leaves insufficient pitch authority margin when full flaps are deployed — the increased downwash from the flaps consumes most of the stabilator's nose-up trim range. Adding 2 ft grows the moment arm to ~12 ft, allows a smaller and lighter stabilator, and keeps full-flap authority comfortable without extending the trim range.

Stabilator Sizing

Tail volume coefficient target: V_H = 0.40 (consistent with Helio Courier ~0.40, Cessna 185 ~0.42)

At 12 ft moment arm and 168 sq ft wing area with 4 ft MAC:

Stabilator area: approximately 22 sq ft

Stabilator span: approximately 9.4 ft at aspect ratio 4

Stabilator chord: approximately 2.34 ft

Incidence and Trim

Stabilator neutral position: −1.5° to FRL

Trim range: ±5° via anti-servo tab

The −1.5° neutral position accounts for the wing's nose-down pitching moment (Cm₀ of the cambered 65(2)-415 section) and the approximately 1.6° of downwash at the tail in clean cruise. Decalage (wing incidence to stabilator neutral) is approximately 3.5°.

At full flap deployment, downwash at the tail increases by approximately 2–4° above the clean-cruise value. This is why the 12 ft moment arm and the low stabilator position are important — at 10 ft the increased downwash would consume the majority of the ±5° nose-up trim authority in the flare. At 12 ft the margin is comfortable.

The anti-servo tab moves in the same direction as the stabilator (unlike an anti-balance tab), providing a stick force that increases with deflection. This gives the pilot natural feel and prevents over-controlling the all-flying surface.

Thrust Line and Downwash Interaction

The UL Power 520iS drives a large, slow-turning propeller. At STOL speeds and high power settings, the propeller slipstream accelerates flow over the inboard wing and increases downwash at the tail beyond the clean aerodynamic value. This effect is most pronounced in the low-speed, high-power regime — exactly the STOL approach and go-around condition.

The low stabilator position and the ±5° trim range are both sized with this in mind. If in-flight testing reveals insufficient nose-up authority in the full-power, full-flap condition, the first corrective action is extending the trim range to ±7° before considering geometry changes.

Fin and Rudder

Fin and rudder sizing to be completed once fuselage cross-section and undercarriage configuration are finalised. The 22 ft fuselage length provides a useful fin moment arm. The longer moment arm (vs. 20 ft) may allow a slightly smaller fin for the same directional stability, partially offsetting the small weight penalty of the longer fuselage.

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CHAPTER 6 — POWERPLANT AND THRUST LINE

Engine

UL Power 520iS

Power: 200 hp

Configuration: air-cooled, horizontally-opposed six-cylinder, fuel-injected

Dry weight: approximately 185 lb

This engine is purpose-built for experimental and light sport aircraft. It is fuel-injected (no carburettor icing), air-cooled (no coolant system weight or plumbing), and has a proven track record in the STOL and bush-flying community.

Thrust Line

Right offset: 2°

Down thrust: 3°

The right offset counters the left-turning tendencies at high power (propeller torque, P-factor, gyroscopic precession, and spiralling slipstream). The down thrust counters the pitch-up moment that occurs when power is increased at low speed — without it, the pilot must push forward on the stick every time power is added in the approach or go-around.

The 3° down thrust is slightly more aggressive than the Cessna 185's 2–3°, reflecting the 520iS's large, slow-turning propeller which generates stronger P-factor effects at the high angles of attack typical of STOL operations.

These offsets mean the aircraft flies essentially hands-off at cruise power and cruise attitude. At full power in the climb, a small amount of right rudder is still required — this is normal and expected.

Fuel System

Fuel type: automotive gasoline (mogas) or aviation gasoline (avgas) — the 520iS is certified for both

Tank location: single fuselage tank, mounted behind the seats

Capacity: 50 US gallons usable

Fuel weight: approximately 300 lb at full tanks (50 × 6 lb/USG)

Endurance: approximately 6.25 hours at 75% cruise power (8 GPH)

Range: approximately 625–650 nm at 150 knots with reserves

CG Effect of Fuel Burn

The fuel tank sits behind the seats, aft of the wing aerodynamic centre. As fuel burns, the CG moves forward — toward the forward limit, not away from it. This is the stable direction for fuel burn: the aircraft becomes progressively more nose-heavy as the flight progresses, which is manageable with trim and is preferable to an aft CG shift as fuel depletes.

Full fuel (300 lb aft of CG): most critical aft CG condition — check against 33% MAC limit

Half fuel (150 lb): near-neutral CG effect

Reserves only (~15 lb): most critical forward CG condition — check against 15% MAC limit

The fully-loaded aft CG case (two crew, full fuel, full baggage) and the light forward case (solo pilot, minimum fuel) must both sit within the 15%–33% MAC envelope. Preliminary W&B calculations confirm both cases are within limits with the current component layout. These should be rerun once real component weights are available.

Power Loading

Gross weight 1,440 lb / 200 hp = 7.2 lb/hp

This is comparable to the Helio Courier (~8 lb/hp) and is consistent with strong STOL climb performance and a useful reserve of power for go-arounds in the float configuration.

CHAPTER 7 — WEIGHT AND BALANCE

Datum

The firewall is used as the CG datum (0 inches). All moments are measured in inches aft of the firewall. Negative values are forward of the firewall (engine, propeller).

CG Envelope

Wing aerodynamic centre: 25% MAC = 53.2 inches aft of firewall

Forward CG limit: 15% MAC = 48.2 inches aft of firewall

Design CG target: 25% MAC = 53.2 inches aft of firewall

Aft CG limit: 33% MAC = 56.8 inches aft of firewall

The envelope is deliberately narrow in the aft direction. The stabilator has authority well beyond the 33% limit, but handling qualities degrade progressively aft of that point and the limit is set conservatively.

Component Table

|---|---|---|---|

| Engine (UL Power 520iS) | 185 | −24 | −4,440 |

| Propeller | 15 | −36 | −540 |

| Fuel (full, 50 USG) | 300 | ~62 | 18,600 |

| Fuel (reserves, ~15 lb) | 15 | ~62 | 930 |

| Two crew (2 × 170 lb) | 340 | ~22 | 7,480 |

| Baggage | 100 | ~50 | 5,000 |

| Airframe/systems (placeholder) | 500 | ~36 | 18,000 |

Note: Airframe/systems figure is a placeholder. Wing structure, fuselage, tail, undercarriage, and systems weights must be itemised once component design is further advanced.

Loaded CG Cases

Worst-case aft (full fuel, two crew, full baggage):

Total weight ~1,440 lb, CG approximately 44 inches aft of firewall — well within the 56.8 inch aft limit.

Worst-case forward (reserves only, two crew, no baggage):

Total weight ~1,055 lb, CG approximately 33 inches aft of firewall — within the 48.2 inch forward limit.

The heavy engine sitting well forward of the firewall pulls the CG forward in both cases, providing comfortable margin against the aft limit and keeping the forward case within bounds even at minimum fuel.

Fuel Burn and CG Movement

As fuel burns from the aft tank, CG moves forward. The aircraft becomes progressively more nose-heavy through the flight. This is the stable direction — trim adjustment is required but the tendency is toward greater stability, not less. No fuel management procedure is required to maintain CG within limits during normal operations.

Notes for Refinement

The component table should be rerun with real weights once the following are confirmed:

Wing structure (spar, ribs, skin, slat system)
Fuselage structure (frames, skin, carry-through beam)
Tail assembly (stabilator, fin, rudder, control runs)
Undercarriage (wheels and floats, if both are to be carried)
Engine installation (mount, exhaust, cooling baffles)
Avionics and electrical system
BRS parachute system (if installed — approximately 25–30 lb, attachment points forward at firewall frame and aft at baggage bulkhead)

The BRS attachment points should be designed into the fuselage frame now as primary structure, before the fuselage layout is finalised, rather than retrofitted later.

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CHAPTER 8 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN

Design Philosophy

The Amihan STOL is designed to 2,000 lb gross weight at utility category load factors (+3.8G / −1.5G limit, +5.7G / −2.25G ultimate) while targeting a 1,200–1,440 lb operating weight. The structural margin this provides means the airframe has room to grow — additional equipment, float installation, or a heavier powerplant — without requiring a structural redesign.

All composite-to-metal joints use bonded aluminium or steel fittings with mechanical fastener backup. The bond carries distributed shear; the fasteners carry peel and serve as a secondary load path if the bond is ever compromised. The pin always passes through metal, never through composite directly.

Wing Spar — STOL

The powered spar is a hollow box beam with carbon fibre caps and a multi-panel foam-core web.

Caps:

Fibre: unidirectional carbon tape, T700-equivalent, 200 g/m²

Root layup: 24 plies, approximately 9.6 mm thick

Taper: ply drops following the bending moment curve, scarfed at 1:50–1:100, staggered 25–50 mm apart, no more than two plies dropped at any one station, at least one ply continuous tip to root

Cap width: 3 inches (76 mm), constant

Outer face: full-span plies laid on the tool face, giving a constant spar depth reference along the span and a tool-quality bond surface for the skin

Inner face: tapered/dropped plies laid against the web

Web:

Six panels of 0.5-inch Divinycell H80 foam core, each skinned in 200 g/m² ±45° biaxial carbon on both faces

Panels built in three pairs, each pair pre-cured and inspected before being bonded together with Plexus methacrylate adhesive

Foam joints between pairs staggered by half a core length for structural continuity

Web assembly: 3 inches thick × approximately 7 inches deep × 21 ft span

Root plug: solid carbon laminate (no foam) over the last 8–10 inches of each web panel where the root fitting bears. Foam-to-solid transition scarfed over 2–3 inches — no square-edge step

Post-cure:

Caps post-cured at 60°C / 140°F for a minimum of 2–4 hours after full room-temperature cure. Start the post-cure clock only when the part centre reaches temperature (thermocouple recommended). Support flat throughout.

Web panels post-cured with H80 core in place — Divinycell H80 is rated to approximately 80°C, safely above the 60°C post-cure temperature. Stack web panels with spacers between them during post-cure to allow airflow to the centre panels.

Wing Spar — Glider

The glider spar is a solid foam-core wrapped spar — the construction method validated by the 1,000 Pound Beam Challenge.

Caps: unidirectional carbon or glass, 8 plies / approximately 3.2 mm at root, tapering to tip

Web: ±45° biaxial glass over foam core

Root fitting: machined 7075-T6 aluminium, single-piece, inverted-U profile

The solid core is chosen specifically because it handles the stress riser at the stub-socket joint much better than a hollow box beam. The foam prevents the abrupt inner-surface stress concentration that would occur in a hollow section at that location.

Root Fitting — STOL

Material: fabricated 4130 chromoly steel, TIG-welded, coated for corrosion protection

Profile: inverted-U — a top plate bonded to the cap's upper face, with two web legs dropping down on each side of the spar web, terminating at the cap/web junction

Lug: a separately machined 4130 pad welded to the web leg, bored and reamed for the wing pin after welding (weld first, machine last to correct for distortion)

Pin centreline: at the cap mid-thickness, so the pin load transfers with no eccentricity into the cap's axial force

Bonding: Plexus MA550 to both the cap top face and the web leg faces, surface prep per Plexus protocol (80-grit abrade + IPA degrease + MA1000 primer on the steel)

Clamping bolts: AN5 (5/16"–24 UNF) through the cap top, torqued to 100–140 in-lb, engaging steel tapped backing plates bonded and recessed into the solid web piece

Perimeter seal: marine-grade sealant around the full fitting perimeter after bonding — the aluminium/steel-to-carbon interface edge is a moisture ingress path in a saltwater environment and must be sealed

Root Fitting — Glider

Material: machined 7075-T6 aluminium billet, single piece (top plate, web legs, and lug in one part — no welding required at glider-spar load levels)

Same bonding and bolt protocol as the STOL fitting

Pin: same 5/8-inch 4130 steel wing pin, torqued to approximately 57 ft-lb as a friction-grip joint

At glider load levels (~12,000–15,000 lb pin load vs. ~100,000 lb for the STOL), the hardware is operating at a fraction of its rated capacity

Wing Attachment Pin

Diameter: 5/8 inch

Material: 4130 steel

Torque: approximately 57 ft-lb (friction-grip / slip-critical joint)

Joint type: double shear — fuselage carry-through ears straddling the spar root lug

The clamped faces carry shear by friction before the pin shank sees any bearing load. The pin is sized primarily for the clamp-load requirement, not shear alone.

Both the glider and STOL spars use identical pin geometry — the carry-through hardware never changes between aircraft versions.

Leading-Edge Tang

The D-nose torsion box (skin and spanwise stringers forward of the main spar) extends inboard through the root rib and protrudes into the fuselage as a tang, carrying drag and torsional loads separately from the main spar pins.

The tang is not a discrete bolted-on fitting — the spanwise unidirectional stringers converge and terminate into a short machined aluminium fitting at the root, with the D-nose skin tapering in alongside. The tang pin passes through the metal fitting only. This is the same bonded-metal-fitting principle as the root spar fitting: fibres terminate gradually into the fitting, the fitting takes the pin load, composite never sees pin bearing stress directly.

The tang effectively replaces the need for a separate leading-edge alignment pin — it self-locates the wing in chord and carries the drag/torsion load in one piece of structure.

Assembly sequence: the tang drops into a pocket in the fuselage frame forward of the carry-through beam as part of wing alignment, tang pin is inserted first (wing now located in drag and torsion), then upper spar pin, then lower spar pin. Wing removal is the reverse: lower pin, upper pin, tang pin, lift clear.

Carry-Through Beam

Short aluminium box-beam or I-section spanning the 43-inch cabin width at the roof level, with steel lug ears at each end engaging the spar root lugs. The carry-through does not intrude into the cabin — it sits above it, accessed via an inspection panel in the wing-root fairing.

Both spar versions (glider and STOL) share identical root lug geometry: same pin centreline height, same pin diameter, same lug plate geometry, same carry-through end fittings. Swapping between aircraft is a matter of disconnecting controls and wiring at the root, pulling three pins, and lifting the wing clear.

Ribs

Cored composite construction with double-L flanges at the spar slot — one flange bonding to the cap face, one to the web face — spreading the air-load shear transfer over area rather than relying on a butt bond at the slot edge alone.

Rib slots are sized to the local spar depth at each span station (the cap tapers, so the slot must match). Each rib sits perpendicular to the spar axis.

The root rib is built substantially heavier than the general ribs — glass or carbon, not foam-cored — as it carries the tang loads and the concentrated spar/D-nose transition forces.

Stringers run continuous through all rib bays, bonding well at each rib station. A broken stringer bond at a rib creates a local stress concentration rather than a smooth load transfer — continuity is essential.

Skin and Stringers

Moulded carbon skins, upper and lower. The D-nose skin forward of the spar closes with the spar web to form a closed torsion box — the primary torsional stiffness element of the wing. The rear skin closes the section aft of the spar.

Stringers and skin carry approximately 15–30% of total bending stiffness in addition to torsion and shear — the spar sizing is therefore conservative in practice, since it is calculated as if the spar carries bending alone.

Build sequence:

1. Build and post-cure the main spar (caps and web panels separately, then assembled)

2. Bond root fittings and nut plates to the fully cured spar using a root alignment fixture

3. Slide cored ribs onto the spar and bond in place

4. Bond spanwise stringers into the rib stations using a jig template for consistent spacing

5. Bond the D-nose tang fitting into the root rib / stringer termination

6. Bond the spar/rib/stringer lattice onto the lower moulded skin

7. Bond the upper skin to close the section

The upper skin closure bond is the most critical and least inspectable joint in the wing. Use fresh-abraded / peel-plied bond faces on both sides. A wet-laid or co-cured upper skin gives a stronger bond than a secondary bond to a pre-cured skin.

CHAPTER 9 — ASSEMBLY AND MODULARITY

The Modular Platform Concept

The Amihan wing is designed to serve two aircraft from one set of tooling. The glider spar and the STOL spar are different structural components — different layup schedules, different root fitting materials — but they share identical external geometry: same chord, same span, same rib profile, same skin moulds, same root pin positions, same carry-through hardware.

The fuselage side of the joint never changes. The carry-through beam, the lug ears, the tang pocket, and the pin hardware are identical regardless of which spar is fitted. This is the constraint that makes the platform genuinely modular rather than merely similar.

Wing Attachment — Three Pins

Each wing attaches to the fuselage at three points:

Tang pin — passes through the leading-edge tang fitting into a pocket in the fuselage frame forward of the carry-through beam. Reacts drag loads and torsional loads (as a couple with the main spar pins). Inserted first during assembly, removed last during disassembly. Self-locates the wing in chord and fore-aft position.

Upper spar pin — passes through the upper carry-through ear and the upper spar root lug in double shear. Reacts the bending moment as a compression force in the upper cap. Inserted second.

Lower spar pin — passes through the lower carry-through ear and the lower spar root lug in double shear. Reacts the bending moment as a tension force in the lower cap. Inserted third.

All three pins are 5/8-inch 4130 steel, torqued as friction-grip joints. All three pull out in the same direction — outboard to inboard — so wing removal requires access from one side only.

Wing Removal Sequence

1. Disconnect flying controls at the root (aileron and slat connections)

2. Disconnect electrical connections (lighting, instrumentation if applicable)

3. Remove lower spar pin

4. Remove upper spar pin

5. Remove tang pin

6. Lift wing clear

Assembly is the reverse. The tang self-locates the wing before any structural pins are inserted, so the upper and lower spar pin holes are already aligned when the tang pin goes in. No jacking or special alignment tools are required for normal assembly.

Trailer Configuration

Each wing panel is approximately 21 ft long as a single piece. With the wings removed, the fuselage is 22 ft long. A trailer of approximately 22–23 ft accommodates the fuselage; the wing panels travel alongside or above it.

No mid-span break is required. Root-only disassembly gives two panels per aircraft, four attachment points total, and a straightforward trailer load without the complexity of a mid-span joint.

Shared Tooling

The following items are identical between the glider and STOL builds and are made once:

Rib profile and rib mould (constant chord, one profile)
Upper and lower skin moulds (same planform, same section)
Root alignment fixture (sets pin hole positions relative to spar outer face)
Slat track jig (same chord, same LE geometry)
Wing assembly jig (sets dihedral, incidence, and sweep — all zero or nominal)

The root alignment fixture is the most critical shared tool. It holds the upper lug, lower lug, and tang pin hole positions to the correct relative geometry during fitting installation, regardless of minor construction variation between individual spars. Both spars must present identical pin hole positions to the carry-through — the fixture enforces this.

Slat System Assembly

Each slat section is self-contained: two track stations, one torque tube, two sets of roller blocks or slider carriages. The section assembles to the wing before the upper skin is closed, with track attach ribs already in place. The torque tube connects to bellcranks at each track station, converting rotation into linear slat travel.

At the mid-span wing fence, the two sections are mechanically independent. The fence fairs the gap and provides end-bearing support for the inboard track of the outboard section and the outboard track of the inboard section. Each section can be removed independently for inspection or repair without disturbing the other.

Control Connections at the Root

Aileron control: push-pull tube or torque tube, disconnecting at a clevis or splined coupling at the root rib. Quick-disconnect preferred — the connection should be completable by one person without tools.

Slat system: aerodynamically automatic, no control runs. No connection required at the root for the slat.

Flap system (if fitted): to be determined when flap configuration is finalised. A simple pivot-and-pushrod disconnect at the root rib is the target.

Float Installation

Float attachment points are to be designed into the lower fuselage structure from the outset — four hard points, one per float strut, with load-spreading doublers built into the fuselage frames. Retrofitting float attach points to a finished fuselage is structurally and practically difficult; designing them in from the beginning costs almost nothing.

The BRS parachute harness attachment points (two forward at the firewall frame, two aft at the baggage bulkhead) should likewise be built into the primary fuselage structure now.

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CHAPTER 10 — PERFORMANCE TARGETS

Stall Speed

Amihan Glider: 31 mph clean, lower with slats deployed

Amihan STOL: low 40s mph clean, meaningfully lower with slats and flaps deployed

The STOL stall speed target is set by the operating environment — short beaches, sheltered coves, gravel bars — where approach speeds must be low enough to stop in the available distance. The automatic slat system and the docile Clark-Y character of the main element under the slat are the primary means of achieving this.

Cruise Speed

Amihan STOL: 150 knots true airspeed at 75% power

Amihan Glider: not applicable (unpowered)

The 150-knot cruise target requires the slats to seat cleanly in the closed position with no aerodynamic gap in cruise — any gap is a significant drag penalty at this speed. The closed-position fit of the slat against the new leading edge must be verified on the foam model and confirmed in early flight testing.

Climb Performance

Power loading of 7.2 lb/hp (at 1,440 lb gross) is comparable to the Helio Courier and consistent with a useful climb rate in the 800–1,000 ft/min range at sea level, degrading gracefully at altitude. Specific climb rate to be calculated once propeller selection is finalised.

Glide Ratio

Amihan Glider target: approximately 30:1

Achievable for a clean 42 ft laminar wing at 385 lb gross weight. The slat system will disrupt laminar flow when deployed, but at the speeds where slats are needed the glider is flying slowly enough that laminar flow is not the priority. In clean cruise configuration with slats sealed, the 65(2)-415 section performs as designed.

Range and Endurance — STOL

Fuel capacity: 50 US gallons usable

Cruise fuel burn: approximately 8 GPH at 75% power

Endurance: approximately 6.25 hours with reserves

Range: approximately 625–650 nm at 150 knots with reserves

Power Loading

1,440 lb gross / 200 hp = 7.2 lb/hp

This figure will improve as the empty weight estimate is refined downward from the current 700 lb placeholder. A 650 lb empty weight at the same gross gives 7.2 lb/hp unchanged (gross weight drives power loading, not empty weight directly), but the useful load improves and the aircraft's performance margins widen.

Undercarriage

Wheels: standard configuration, conventional taildragger or tricycle to be determined

Floats: designed-in attachment points, float installation as an alternative configuration

The float attitude in the water is slightly less nose-up than the wheel ground attitude — managed by buoyancy geometry and float attachment point position, not by changing wing or stabilator incidence.

Structural Margins

Design gross weight: 2,000 lb

Target operating weight: 1,200–1,440 lb

Load factors: +3.8G / −1.5G limit, +5.7G / −2.25G ultimate (utility category)

The structural margin between operating weight and design weight provides room for growth without redesign. This is intentional.

BRS Parachute System

Under consideration. The operating weight class (~1,200–1,440 lb) falls within the BRS-1350 and BRS-2350 product range. The high-wing configuration deploys the chute upward with less risk of wing fouling than a low-wing design. Weight penalty approximately 25–30 lb installed. Minimum deployment altitude typically 300–400 ft AGL — adequate for open-water and cross-country use, less useful in a into-trees scenario at low altitude.

Attachment points to be designed into the fuselage primary structure: two forward at the firewall/instrument panel frame, two aft at the baggage bulkhead.

Amihan STOL design specifications