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Maranda
AMF-S14
Our
Maranda started flying in 1978. It has just over 500 hour on the
airframe. Maranda is plans build all wood and fabric airplane.
Designed by Chris Falconar, a famous aeronautical engineer in Canada.
Information directly from the designer about this airplane can be
seen at: http://www.falconaravia.com/
Other related sites:
AMF-S14 "Maranda" info at Falconar Avia
Visit the Yahoo discussion group about "S14MARANDA"
Dave's story of building his Maranda at Ram Falls, Alberta
Now back to our regular programming. Maranda
is the simplest airplane to fly of any I've ever flown. The two
that come close are Citabria, in which I have 90hours or so,
and
Piper Pawnee in which I have 200 hour towing gliders.
When
we bought our Maranda it had a Lycoming O-290-1.
The
O-290-1 is an old military engine from the 1930's. They were
used on Asters for the U.S. Air Force.
The original engine was
rated at 125HP. I believe by the time it made its way into our
hands 1/3 of the horses were out in the pasture leaving it probably
with 90 HP or so.
Amazingly
the Lycoming kept on running without asking anything back. We had
fabulous climb with it, at cruise leaned out, 22" manifold,
turning 2350RPM it was burning 22.5L/h, providing blistering 90MPH
indicated. The speed went up to 95MPH in winter. So we didn't
ask much of it, we just kept on flying. Until October 2004. When one
thing let to another and off it went. Sitting up side down on the
floor I noticed a hair line fracture in the case right at the center
main baring. That was the end of the historic O-290-1.
Here it comes a "newer"
Lycoming O-290-D2B.
This is what we got:
In June 2005 we have
this:
With
hi-compression cylinders we have 145HP O-290-D2B.
Now at 22" manifold,
2300 RPM we have 108 MPH indicated. Yes that's 18MPH faster!
At
24", 2600RPM it goes 120MPH!!! BUT at 24" and 120MPH it
needs 40L/h!!! Where as at 22",
2300RPM, 108MPH it stays around 25 to 30L/h.(don't have the
exact figures yet) Given the fuel price today I simply can't
afford to force it to go 120MPH due to lack of $$$.
A
personal note to Mr. Falconar; Thank you very much for designing such
wonderful airplane for us (pilots) to enjoy. It really brings out
the joy of flying at the grass roots level. Every time I climb into
the airplane I know how much fun I'll have flying it around or
on a cross country flight. With the ease of flying, super visibility
and specious cabin it really is a joy to fly! Thank you for your
dedication to your design work on homebuilt aircraft over the years.
Here are some pictures of our Maranda:
Some pictures from when we first brought our Maranda home
Some pictures from when we first took our Maranda to Brampton Airport
Some more "recent" pictures
Other related sites:
AMF-S14 "Maranda" info at Falconar Avia
Visit the new Yahoo discussion group about "AMF S14 MARANDA"
Click to join AMF-S14MARANDA
(NOTE: old Yahoo group is not defunct and overrun by SPAM - "S14MARANDA")
Dave's story of building his Maranda at Ram Falls, Alberta
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