See also: Algie Composite Aircraft 'LP1' - 385 MPH At FL290 & 14.5 GPH?
2010 AirPigz 'HOTY' - Algie Composite Aircraft LP1
David Algie is getting the extremely impressive LP1, his carbon fiber, pressurized, high-altitude 2-seat speedster much closer to the first flight. However, as anyone with experience or knowledge of the prototyping process of a completely new aircraft can tell you, there's just no way to when the first flight will take place. The video above shows the first taxi test that was done recently and the airplane is definitely looking good. With a main landing gear reminiscent of the SX-300, the LP1 looks bold and sounds impressive with its Chevy LS Corvette engine spinning David's homebuilt 4-blade prop.
Although there had been hopes of getting the airplane in the air in 2011, the combination of several complex systems (retractable gear, cooling system, wiring etc.) along with David's limited resources have pushed the completion back somewhat. However, I don't hold that against David, especially when we see the kind of delays the A380, A400M and the 787 all encountered. Sure, those projects are on a much grander scale, but they also had an unimaginable amount of resources at their disposal. The more you understand what David is accomplishing here on this project, the more impressive his effort is!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Algie Composite Aircraft LP1 on the gear and getting closer to first flight (photo: ACA)
Check out these resources to keep up on the progress of the LP1: the Algie Composite Aircraft website, the Woodward Aerospace facebook page, or WoodwardAerospace.com.
