Unreal Aviation UACW-1 Channelwing 'Homebuilt'.
Inspired by the amazing and largely unsung work of Willard Custer, this model represents the first in a series of 'might-have-been' design concepts.

Custer reasoned that lift is down to airflow and not airspeed and that if you could get the air to flow over a wing it would generate lift even if the aircraft were stationary. To this end, he curved the wings around the props to make a channel, effectively, half a venturi tube and the result was lift out of all proportion to the speed of the aircraft through the air. 8.4 pounds of lift for every horsepower without flaps and later, with flaps, an astonishing 13.8 pounds per horsepower!

The UACW-1 is a fictitious 'homebuilt' style proof-of-concept prototype of mixed wooden and composite construction. Powered by a single piston engine driving two contra-rotating propellers via a gearbox. This arrangement is heavier and a little more complicated but the benefits are worth it.

Control in the three axis is conventional above 40 KIAS or so but differential thrust (by varying the individual props pitch) controls the aircraft in roll at low speed. Indeed, Custer proved that you didn't need the ailerons at all, as long as there was power available. I decided that as we only have one engine, ailerons wouldn't hurt.

The wing is relatively small and with 100 horsepower, she will blat along with a cruise of 160 KIAS with a top speed of over 200 KIAS.

The REAL treat comes when you slow down... Add flaps and you will be ably to fly as slow as 22 KIAS in level flight. Pull the nose up and add power while ignoring the stall warning and you can hover!

The stall warning can be ignored if you just add power. Be warned though, your lift is being generated by the increased airflow in the channels and if you get an engine failure at low speed you will drop like a *stone.

*I have used a gauge to help simulate this.

At higher speeds, she will glide engine-off just like any other aeroplane.

The aircraft is amazingly agile and can be chucked around at low speed close to the ground. Perfect for 'mustering' etc.

As well as an ideal personal flying machine, she would be perfect for many jobs normally performed by helicopters with the added advantage of increased speed and range. She will also accommodate a passenger behind the pilot!


Installing:

Just drop the Channelwing1 folder into your main Aircraft folder. FS2002 users must move the gauges and the Unreal folder in the aircraft's Panel folder into their default Gauges folder. If you already have an Unreal folder then overwrite it with this one.


Flying:

Start the engine with CTRL E.
Normal takeoff can be with or without one notch of flaps. Full flaps for a STOL takeoff or for flying at ultra-low speed. Raise flaps in stages and be prepared to re-trim.

To land, just close the throttle and add flaps in stages only if you wish to land in a very short space. You will soon get to know what speeds are most appropriate for the three flap settings and the first stage can be applied at full speed.


Thanks to Wolfgang Piper for the delightful panel bitmap pinched from his lovely ASH-25 and used with kind permission.


For a full and interesting history and information about possible future offshoots of the Custer Channelwing concept, please visit the excellent website at:
www.custerchannelwing.com




That's it, have fun.
Kevin Bryan
Unreal Aviation
whirlybug@cix.co.uk