Ron wrote- >Kinda like the guy who wanted to use sassafras, which is >very good smelling when you're working it! >I wonder what ever happened to the Sassafras guy?
Now hold on just a cotton-pickin' minute! I'll bet you're referring to me, since I mentioned that the prototype M-19 Flying Squirrel was built using sassafras (locally grown and available in Indiana, where the builder lives). Take a look at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/FPLGTR/fplgtr113/Ch04.pdf and http://naca.larc.nasa.gov/reports/1931/naca-report-354/naca-report-354.pdf at both sassafras and Sitka spruce. In the 12% moisture content state, the sassafras is quite a good wood if a little attention is paid to grain direction when it's loaded in compression. Shear strength and compression perpendicular to grain exceed that for spruce, and the specific gravity is just a tad higher than for spruce (better than for Douglas fir, which is used by many instead of spruce). Perfectly acceptable for an amateur-built experimental aircraft, provided care is taken in selection, grading, and application. And I guess I should wipe my shoes clean by saying "you should stick to building by the plans, using the materials recommended by the designer, and if you vary from the design or materials- you're on your own"! I thought it was understood that we're amateur, experimental aircraft builders and pilots, but I guess not everyone is willing to take responsibility for their own actions (not addressing Ron here, but rather referring to an earlier thread). Oscar Zuniga San Antonio, TX mailto: [email protected] website at http://www.flysquirrel.net _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
