Light Aircraft Built In Wellington Basement

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29728, 23 January 1962, Page 12

Light Aircraft Built In Wellington Basement

"The Press” Special Service

WELLINGTON Jan. 22

A two-year-old dream came true for Mr R. Gentry when the light aeroplane he has been building in his basement workshop at Mornington was taken out for the first time and set up on his front lawn.

Mr Gentry, who is president of the Ultra-light Aircraft Association, was assisted by Mr G. Waldie, of Lower Hutt, who is also building an aeroplane at home. The window of the basement was removed to allow the aircraft to emerge and first the fuselage and then the wings were passed through. The aircraft was then assembled on the front lawn so that wings and fuselage could be aligned and the wing bolts fitted. When this has been completed the aircraft will go back through the window into the basement, where further work is to be done on it. At present 15 such aircraft were being built privately in New Zealand, said Mr Gentry, and there were also six being built commercially The plans for the ultra-light craft originated in France, but were redrawn by the British Private Flying Association which was licensed to issue them throughout the English-sneaking world Seven different types can be built and four of these types were being built in New Zealand.

The ultra-light class of aircraft is limited to up to 12001 b in weight and up to a 90 h.p. motor. They can be bought commercially for about £1250. Mr Gentry’s aircraft, which can be lifted by two men, will be powered by a 38-40 h.p. Volkswagen car engine, and should cruise at about 95 m.p.h., consuming

one and a half gallons of fuel an hour. It is expected it will cost about 12s an hour to fly. The aircraft is of spruce and plywood and the wooden frame will be covered with fabric, as will the wings. The Civil Aviation Administration authorities have inspected the construction at various stages and approved it.

In the two years he has been building the aircraft, Mr Gentry has made most of the parts himself from raw materials. Mr Waldie has reached about the half-way point in the construction of his aircraft.

So eager was Mr Gentry to see his aircraft outside that he broke the basement window while removing the glass.