Hi!
I know that there are Akafliegs in Germany, I do not know if those exist in other countries? I too have heard about projects in were students in a school, are involved in building a kit airplane with their bare hands, not only 3D printing and limited to do computer work only.
Anyone has been involved in a Akaflieg? What type of work students do, in exchange for learning to fly? Do they sand mostly, I assume nowadays all modern sailplanes are made of composites, or do they run some numbers, and become an active part of the design process, given their knowledge as engineering students?
The person who adviced me about how to build a wood RC airplane, used to teach kids how to build balsa models many years ago. So perhaps it is possible to do something similar to an Akaflied with a more limited budget, like building a giant RC aircraft, with the ribs made from different persons.
OTOH I understand the limitation of teaching homebuilding techniques. It takes practice and a minimum guidance, to learn how to weld etc. Above all, building and cutting can be dangerous, that is in part why now, it is so rare for kids and teenagers to learn how to use their own hands, and practice with tools in school. Also one thing is to build a stool made of wood or steel, and another very different one is to, build a simple vehicle, like a bicycle, which involves not only welding, but lathe work and a minimum budget for the diffrent parts.
I am involved in saving some workshops from being teared down, in where people work in carpentry etc. Doing something similar to an Akaflieg will be possible. People will be willing to share their skills with others, in exchange for keeping their workspace, it can be a win win for the city and the current users.
Any thoughts welcomed!
Oriol
I know that there are Akafliegs in Germany, I do not know if those exist in other countries? I too have heard about projects in were students in a school, are involved in building a kit airplane with their bare hands, not only 3D printing and limited to do computer work only.
Anyone has been involved in a Akaflieg? What type of work students do, in exchange for learning to fly? Do they sand mostly, I assume nowadays all modern sailplanes are made of composites, or do they run some numbers, and become an active part of the design process, given their knowledge as engineering students?
The person who adviced me about how to build a wood RC airplane, used to teach kids how to build balsa models many years ago. So perhaps it is possible to do something similar to an Akaflied with a more limited budget, like building a giant RC aircraft, with the ribs made from different persons.
OTOH I understand the limitation of teaching homebuilding techniques. It takes practice and a minimum guidance, to learn how to weld etc. Above all, building and cutting can be dangerous, that is in part why now, it is so rare for kids and teenagers to learn how to use their own hands, and practice with tools in school. Also one thing is to build a stool made of wood or steel, and another very different one is to, build a simple vehicle, like a bicycle, which involves not only welding, but lathe work and a minimum budget for the diffrent parts.
I am involved in saving some workshops from being teared down, in where people work in carpentry etc. Doing something similar to an Akaflieg will be possible. People will be willing to share their skills with others, in exchange for keeping their workspace, it can be a win win for the city and the current users.
Any thoughts welcomed!
Oriol
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