CASE STUDY

---

CHALLENGE

High cost, complex construction, temperamental operation, and excessive maintenance were common complaints of pilots flying the combustion-powered ducted-fan model aircraft of the 1990's. 

SOLUTION

With no alternative available, the only option was to clean-sheet design a jet-like plane with ducted-fan performance that was cheap and easy to build, fly, and maintain. 

The LykaJet concept was born. 

• Design development - Define initial flight characteristics, operating requirements, configuration, power requirements, and first sketches of sleek jet-like shape.

• Make construction decision to use low-tech building materials available at local retail stores, paired with repurposed aircraft components.

• Weigh and measure all components and build first draft of weight and balance calculations as first steps of the iterative, multi-stage design development process.

• Originally conceived with retractable landing gear, a gearless hand-launch configuration soon evolved, saving 18% total weight, increasing top speed, and improving low-speed handling.

• Used cheap, tough PVC drainpipe for lower fuselage. Repurposed canopy from "Escape" precision aerobatics aircraft. Light foam wing cores are cut with a home-built hot wire foam cutter and covered with sheet material. 

• Build quick, messy prototype 1 - powered by a well-worn sport motor. P1 flew as designed and reached an estimated 125 mph on the third flight.

• Refined prototype 2 - with a fresh motor and upgraded control servos was testbed for power system tuning and flight control trimming. P2 regularly reached level flight speeds of 160+ mph. 

RESULTS

After seeing the LykaJet fly at a regional contest, the editor of Model Airplane News (premier industry publication) approached me to write an article detailing LykaJet's extraordinary performance and unique construction approach. 

The cover story was published in November 1997. Plans sold through MAN were bought by speed loving model aircraft builders all over the world.

Every LykaJet that flew was built from scratch by modelers, from materials sourced locally in the country where they lived. 

For years after publication, I received emails from enthusiastic LykaJet builders who often posted YouTube videos of their flights. Some of those videos can still be viewed 30 years later.

LykaJet's success formula was simple - The average ducted fan model in the mid 90’s was difficult to build, cost about $3000, and reached 200 mph on a good day. The lykaJet was easy to build, cost about $300. It will fly 160+ mph all day long.  

The challenges and opportunities are before us... The time to act is NOW... Seize the day.