I scratch built my Jodel from plans 4 years ago back
in 2001 and have been progressing slowly since then around
family commitments. I have been encouraged by other "local"
Aussie builders, Albert Cassar, Lachlan Wishart, Leo Powning
and Paul Plant. The internet has been a great resource
for any queries I have had in the past via the International
Jodel Club. Frank Rogers has also been very helpful as
the supplier of the plans with great follow up support.
The plans are very comprehensive which leaves little guess
work for a builder.
I have built my Jodel from clear grain kiln-dried "furniture
grade" Oregon, alias Douglas fir. All plywood is
Birch GL-1 aircraft grade. The Oregon was about $650 and
the ply about $4,000. I am using T88 structural adhesive
and have just consumed my fourth 1.8 litre kit. All timber
has been cut to size on my triton workbench and sized
with an electric overhead thicknesser.
I currently have the following parts of my Jodel D18 completed.
Unfortunately, I did not log my build time on some of
the smaller ribs and false spars for the stabiliser and
rudder. I have estimated these build times.
WING
All wing ribs approximately 2.5 hours per rib. The standard
main wing rib weighs 230 grams each.
The box spar is completed which was inspected before closing
in by a LAME and weighs 23 kg. Build time approximately
200 hours.
Wing tips are cut out.
Flaps and false spars are completed with hinges approximately
33 hours.
Ailerons and false spars are completed with hinges approximately
23 hours.
HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Completed ready for covering with hinges approximately
24 hours to assemble parts from completed ribs and spars.
I estimate about 50 hours to complete the entire stabiliser
to its current stage.
Fin/rudder - Completed ready for covering with hinges
approximately 10 hours to assemble parts, and probably
a total of 20 hours of construction to its current stage.
FUSELAGE
Sides completed and boxed up with firewall, seat and all
bulkhead glued into place. All cross members are glued
with fuselage floor.
Top of fuselage is open ready for fuel tank placement
and 'fit out'. Fuel tanks have been started and are ready
for welding. The front tank holds 35 litres and the rear
tank 65 litres. The tailwheel spring has been made and
fitted, and likewise with rudder pedals. I have logged
150 build hours to date. The fuselage is 1,070 mm wide
at cockpit.
METAL PARTS
¥ Flap lever, approx.. 13 hours.
¥ Servo trim tab mechanism approx. 2.5 hours.
¥ 4130 rudder pedals approx. 3.5 hours
¥ Rudder and aileron hinges approx. 15 hours.
¥ Undercarriage started - 8 hours.
¥ Blown 2 piece canopy was purchased from New Zealand
for NZ $400.
I am enjoying my project and realise that after 4 years
of my spasmodic building efforts, that the Jodel D18 is
still my first choice as a great performing homebuilt aircraft
and competes favourably with other much more expensive machines.
If you read the article 'A Stirling Day' (see October 2005
PF issue), you will understand my enthusiasm.
