Carbon duct assembly

Started it up for the first time and the carbon frame is still in one piece…Although the engine is running rough right now it ran upto around 8000rpm and the fan didnt escape from the duct. Trying to get hold of some engine parts to get it running properly and then we shall see.

At the moment the lift system isnt connected so only the thrust fan is spinning; the idea being to work out all of the teething issues with that bit first. When it is time to connect it up a reduction gearbox takes power from the flywheel and into a shaft as on the previous craft. Before putting it onto the craft the carbon frame was ‘load tested’ by my Dad and I so we know it can handle at least 160kgs thrust:Although i expect the worst loads the frame will have to take will be due to the belt and its difficult to simulate these, so basically a case of suck it and see.