Thread: Anyone Else Use Excel Management?? Wood to Build a Plane?

My only suggestion is to look at the properties of paulownia. My understanding is that it has one of the better weight to strength ratios for timber. It is easy to work with and takes glue and stains extremely well.

Whitewood

Are you discussing a model plane, if so the answer is probably balsa.

If, however, you are discussing a plane to carry your good self, you might like to consider the most successful wooden aeroplane ever built, the de Haviland Mosquito, which was a monocoque ply construction ... a balsa core sandwiched between veneers of Canadian birch. This aircraft was a fighter/bomber and flew at speeds of about 670 km/h. When initially launched it was the fastest warplane available; faster than the Spitfire.

Check the FAA regs on homebuilts in the US to check the legalities of it first. If it something you are planting your lively self in, then do not waiver from using FAA approved sitka spruce, and birch plywood. Aircraft Spruce and Speciality stock what you will likely need for almost all aspects of the build. If you are building from a plan, then there should be a cut list, or at least a quantity list of materials needed. If you are designing your own, I'd suggest a lot of reading - again check the FAA website for resources. Get yourself a copy of AC-43 - 'Acceptable methods, techniques and practices for repairs' which yields a vast quantity of information for approved, and tested methods of woodwork in aeroplanes.

As for the software you plan to use, I can't comment as I've never used it myself, but I wish you all the best from one aerosexual to another!

Tom (A.M.E.)