In this issue:
Mike Horne, formerly the Technical Manager, has been promoted to Managing Director!
The announcement was made at the Popular Flying Association Air Rally & Exhibition on 4th July, 1998 amidst popping champagne corks and the unveiling of a brand new identity.
This acquisition means that we now own the Thorp T-211 outright. In the future we will be able to produce variations of both the PFA and C of A aircraft, and manufacture the aircraft and the kits here in the UK. We are also in a better position to offer a comprehensive package of purchase options together with complete UK-based technical back up and customer service.
The Thorp is available as a kit or a production model. To visit our factory to see the Thorp being built, or to test fly the production aircraft CONTACT US.
Time for a New Image
As the proud new owners of the Thorp, we have decided to give it a new image to take us forward into the new Millenium. We have a new logo, a thousand and one new ideas, and would also like to introduce you to Theo, a cartoon that you will see more and more of in the future.
The PFA Rally this year provided us with the perfect opportunity to launch the new identity of the Thorp, and our new ideas. We had a fantastic show, and received a great response from the PPL community.
The star of the show was the Thorp, having a prominent role in the PFA Rally promotional video and providing footage from the cockpit for an Open University broadcast.
For those of you who visited the show, you will also have met another star, Blimey the Budgie. Blimey also had a great show and enjoyed every minute of it. He was unable to discuss the finer points of the Thorp with you, but tried his best to drown out the noise of passing aircraft!
Our stand, which had a definate Yellow theme, featured a part-built kit, an unbuilt subkit (part 1), and a production aircraft. Bob, Dave and myself were kept busy chatting with the visitors, who were equally divided between kit-enthusiasts and those interested in Club Thorp. Quite a few people showed an interest in the production model, and others registered an interest in the Group Purchase Scheme.
On the Saturday we enlisted the assistance of our Managing Director, Mike Horne; and the Chairman, Mike Newton flew in to the rally in a new white Thorp to help with the crowds - a much appreciated visit! Despite the extra help, we are still receiving many enquiries from those of you who were not able to speak to us, so we apologise for that!
Club THORP
The PFA Rally was the launch pad for CLUB THORP, a new way to fly cheaply.
Club Thorp will allow it's members to fly for as little as £40 per hour inclusive. There are no huge initial sums of money, there are no middlemen to add expense, just membership to a nationwide club that simply provides cheap flying in a new light aircraft.
Club Thorp are planning to start the scheme from two airfields in the UK, with others to follow. The first will be in the South of England. A Club Co-ordinator will be elected at each airfield. The scheme will provide members with not only the opportunity to to build hours at a very low cost, but will also have the chance to fly from other CLUB THORP airfields within the UK.
HOW MANY MEMBERS PER GROUP?
Each CLUB THORP group will be strictly limited to 20 members per aircraft. So each CLUB THORP member will benefit from good availability.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
At just £5 per hour dry, we feel that CLUB THORP offers members a fantastic opportunity. We can assume that a typical PPL flies 35 hours per year, and hires at a realistic and inclusive £70 per hour. Those 35 hours equate to an annual outgoing of just under £2500. With Club Thorp the same PPL flying 35 hours would have an annual outlay of under £1500.
Here's how it works:
| Club Membership (One-off , Transferable): | £500.00 |
| Annual Costs | |
| Monthly membership @ £55 per month: | £660.00 |
| 35 hours @ £5 per hour Dry | £175.00 |
| Fuel/Oil for 35 hours flying (assumes £15.00 per hour) | £525.00 |
| Total | £1,360.00 |
Or 35 hours @: £38.85 per hour (not including Club Membership).
SUMMARY So if you fly an hour or so each month, for the same budget, membership to CLUB THORP will provide more flying hours and save you money into the bargain.
The first Clubs are established at Denham (Uxbridge) and Carlisle, both Clubs still have places spare. To register as a member of either Club, please ring Vanessa on 0161 727 6600, or e-mail me at vriding@ad-holdings.co.uk
The third Club will be opening in Spring. We will let you know where it will be based as soon as the location is confirmed.
Watch this Space!
So you have made the first and most important decision: you have decided to build and fly your own aircraft,.... and you have decided that you are not a carpenter or a seamstress, so the aircraft of choice is the Thorp T-211.
To actually build and then fly your own aircraft is likely to be the most rewarding project that you will ever undertake.
The Thorp T-211 is a completely metal aircraft, and assembly is simplicity itself. All parts come pre-cut and pre-drilled (slightly under size).
- The basic construction method
consists of:
- Using Cleco pins (temporary fasteners) to hold the parts together
- Checking the alignment and fit
- Opening the holes up to full size (3.3mm)
- Securing the parts together with the correct length MBC rivets.
Workshop
The Thorp T-211 can be built
in a large domestic garage, although access to a hanger or an airfield is preferable when
you get to the Wing Installation stage. You should allow yourself plenty of storage space,
as some of the aircraft kits i.e. the Fuselage, are delivered in a large crate, and demand
careful handling and storage before assembly. Parts should be stored in a dry area to
minimise the possibility of corrosion.
In your workshop, you will
ideally need a large flat work bench (approx. 14’ x 3’6") set at a suitable
height for you to work on, that you are able to walk around. Although it is not essential,
you will also find it beneficial to build some simple, wooden supports to hold the
fuselage, and the wings during their assembly. The final painting of your aircraft should
be carried out in a large well ventilated area.
General
Building Tips
Here are a few useful general
building tips that will help make your project a success:
- Plan a work schedule. It is much more efficient to work on the project consistently, maybe a few hours in the evening and a full day at the weekend.
- Follow the instructions in the Assembly Manual, it will be much easier.
- Take your time, proceed at a steady and comfortable pace and be sure that you understand the instructions and illustrations before you start work on the components.
- Avoid distractions and focus on being productive without becoming over confident and making errors.
- Use common sense! Don’t make things difficult for yourself. Think things through using the illustrations and the assembly procedure.
- A list of tools that may not be found in a good basic toolkit is provided at the start of each chapter. Make sure you know how to use the tools correctly and efficiently.
- AD Aerospace offer full factory support from our Manchester offices. Any problem in the construction of the kit, or any difficulties understanding the Assembly Manual can be quickly and simply resolved by a phone call or fax transmission. Our Engineers are fully briefed and always ready to help.
Register
your Project with the PFA
Once you have taken delivery
of your Thorp T-211 kit (or part of it) and Assembly Manual, now is the time to register
your project with the PFA (Popular Flying Association) Engineering Department. It is
important to do this before you actually make a start on your aircraft, as your PFA
inspector needs to be involved right from the beginning.
To register your project with the PFA, you should write to the address below, telling them
the type of aircraft that you are intending to build:
Popular Flying Association
Terminal Building
Shoreham Airport
Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex
BN43 5FF
Once
you are On Your Way
Keep in touch with us at AD
Aerospace. We want to hear how you are getting on with the kit, and will publish photos of
your assemblies in this newsletter if you would like.
If you have any useful tips to pass on to fellow builders, then this is the forum to do
it! Even if you would like to write us a letter, or a piece for the Newsletter, send it
in! This is YOUR Thorp Club paper, produced to help you build that perfect kit aircraft.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Stop Press
The first person to purchase the
kit at the PFA Rally was Ken Fowler. We would like to thank Ken for his enthusiasm, and
look forward to supporting him during the build.
__________________________
Champagne Toast
Out with the Old...
...and in with the New!
Mike Horne unveils the new logo.
The Thorp Stand
Thorp's in Formation
White Thorp
Yellow Thorp
The AD Thorp Formation Squad!
Kit Thorp T-211 in build
Thorp Fuselage in Build