This is a tribute video for Keith Jarvis, 14th Nov 1923 - 11th May 2015.
Highlights include rare footage including prop-starting his first Turbulent in the early 60's, a hand-launch of the Joey glider at Burra during a hang-glider competition and the Joey flying with a 160cc lawn-mower engine.
Keith was a pioneer for homebuilt aircraft in Australia. His efforts in the mid 50s broke the ice so to speak with the regulations to allow individuals to construct their own aircraft.
He was a craftsman with wood and fabric construction and built 13 aircraft all from his back-yard shed over a period of 50 years as well as taking on some restorations.
Here is a summary of his projects :
1950-54
Designed and built J1 Joey Sailplane
Weight 135lb Best glide 1/24 Min sink 2.48fps
First flight 11th Jan 1955 Very successful glider
1954
Imported plans of prototype Turbulent from the designer Roger Druine in France and started building. Due to obstruction by DCA - shelved. Taken over by Duncan McCallum in 1956 and completed in 1958. After proof loading by DCA it a=was finally approved as a one-off aircraft. VH-UEI. First flight 30th Aplril 1959. Engine Ardem 4 CO2 (36hp VW). Cruise 67 kts. All test flights by K. Jarvis.
1955
First meeting and formation of the "Ultralight Aircraft Association of Australia" 10th October 1955 at 7 Shakespeare Ave, Plympton Park, S.A. The name was proposed by K. Jarvis. After some negotiation with the association, the Department developed standards for amateur-built aircraft in Air Navigation Order 100.18, the "Ultra Light Category".
1956-58
Built an "Olympia" sailplane together with a partner. 15m span. First flight 9th Dec 1959.
1960-63
Built a Druine Turbulent VH-ULI from PFA plans. Engine Ardem 4CO2. Weight 374lbs. Cruise 70kts. First flight 9th March 1963.
1963-64
Built own design J2 sailplane, a one piece cantilever wing version of the Joey. Weight empty 140lbs. In spite of obtaining stress analysis, approval was obstructed by DCA and the project was abandoned. The wing and tailplane were modified to use in a third Joey, the J3.
1969
Restored an Auster VH-KBH. Formed a flying group. First flight 10th July 1969.
1970-71
Built the third Joey VH-GNJ from the wings and tailplane of the J2 project. Improved version of J1. Weight 140lbs. First flight 11th November 1971.
1978-79
Built a B-10 Mitchell Wing from plans. Weight 120lbs. Engine 100cc McCulloch. First flight 17th February 1979. Flew well but unstable with pitch down at 70kts.
1980
Built a second B10 Mitchell wing with modified wing profile, strengthened spar and pilot pod. This too proved to be pitch unstable.
1980
Fitted a plug-in, pylon mounted, Victa 160cc engine to the Joey 3. Quite successful with good take-off and climb with a light pilot. Static thrust 55lbs, cruise 50kts. First flew 7th April 1980.
1982-84
Built own design "Australite" powered glider as an entry in a "95.10" design competition. Span 30ft. Weight 210lbs. Engine 15hp Robin 250cc, direct drive prop. Cruise 50-60kts. First flight 29th April 1984.
1984-85
Built a Corby Starlet from plans with a 1600cc VW engine. Completed except for engine cowls and project sold.
1986-87
Revised design of the Turbulent and built the "Turbit 1". Removed L/E slots and frieze ailerons, now top hinged differential. U/C now spring steel. Same 36hp VW engine. Weight 310lb, cruise 85kts at 8lt/hr. Specifications suitable for the Recreational Aviation 95.10 category. First flight 1st January 1987.
1988-89
Restored Auster VH-UEB. First flight 10th March 1989. 4 seats. Gypsy Major engine.
1989-92
Further refined the design and built a second "Turbit" 10-1201. Empty weight 315lb. Same "36hp" 1100cc VW engine. Estimated 30 hp at 3000rpm. Cruise 85/90kts at 8lt/hr. Range 3.5 hrs. First flight 28th January 1990.
1991
Purchased and restored Cessna 150 VH-KQV. Nice aircraft. 600hrs since new.
1992-94
Built GY20 Minicab from Ord-Hume plans. Engine A65 Continental, later changed to C85. Weight empty 575lbs. Cruise 85-90kts. 16lt/hr (C85). Very nice to fly, difficult to build. First flight 22nd January 1995.
1997
Purchased and restored Turbulent 28-0908, formerly VH-PWH, very early aircraft built in the 50's. Weight 390lbs with 1600 VW engine. Cruise 85kts. Engine changed to 1600 Jabiru and further modifications made. Cruise 90-100kts, 1500fpm climb. Weight reduced to 375 lbs with spring steel u/c.
2000-2002
Built the "Minicab U/L", an extensive re-design of the original Minicab with simplified construction, smaller wing span and wing area. Fitted with Jabiru 2200 engine. Weight empty 225kg, cruise 100kts at 13lt/hr. First flight 28th October 2002.
2003
Built 36hp VW engine and commenced construction on "Turbit 3" for larger pilots. Project never finished.
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Music credit :
Dexter Britain : Wonderland
http://dexterbritain.co.uk/creative-commons/
Creative Commons License
