Lightest aircraft construction technique?

Question

I am going to make a tailplane for an ultralight and I would like to know what is the lightest construction technique for building it. Wood and fabric? Aluminum? Fiberglass? Some combination of those? The aircraft is going to be a gyro so it will have a vne of about 100 mph or so.

Answer 1

If you can afford it... Carbon Fiber (as light as plastic and stronger than steel) is the best of the best!  It's just way expensive.

Answer 2

The question you are asking is complex. Are you designing this aircraft? If so, then what are the structural criteria of the components in question? If you are building it from plans, then what does the design spec say? If you are designing it yourself, then what are you using to analyze the loads and how they are being reacted? Composite materials are especially prone to failure if they are not loaded properly. A composite component made to fit an original metal design will be heavier than the metal design if it is designed to function properly - guaranteed. In order to benefit from the weight and structural benefits of composites, you must start the design over with an understanding of how composites work and why they fail.

I recommend that you stick with aluminum and that you stick with a proven design. Good luck - stay safe.

Answer 3

Kevlar - carbon fibre and Aluminium.