N48SF - 1993 SILHOUETTE MOTORGLIDER

1993

SILHOUETTE

MOTORGLIDER

N48SF

Used

94.0

1

I am selling a 1993 Silhouette N48SF Motorglider Aircraft. It is used, but in very good condition. This aircraft is being sold "as is" and no modifications will be completed prior to the sale. Included with the purchase is a handheld aviation radio with headset, a Garmin GPS, and any specialty tools that have been acquired for working on the aircraft. It was designed, built and sold as a kit by Jim Kern. He manufactured carbon composite material for Burt Rutan, U.S. military helicopter blades and amusement park rides - including Disney. The Silhouette N48SF was assembled in 1993 in Jim’s factory for Stan Franks (hence 48”SF”) who was the test pilot for the company. The Motorglider was flown the required 40 hours and was issued an airworthiness certificate in April 1994. Stan never took possession of the aircraft and it remained in storage at the factory in Ardmore, OK. In Sept 1994, N48SF was donated to the War Memorial Museum in Newport News, VA. According to Jim, the aircraft was donated to be used in a commemorative D-Day Memorial Air show to be put on by the museum. The Silhouette, which was modified and painted to resemble a Folke Wolf 190 WII German fighter, was to be involved in a simulated dog fight where explosives were to be placed in the Silhouette and at the appropriate time during the dogfight, the pilot was to parachute out of the Silhouette, fall a safe distance, open his chute and detonate the explosives remotely, destroying the Silhouette. Jim related that they fixed the Silhouette to look like the FW190 as best they could by removing the canopy and replacing it with a windshield, enlarging the nose with Styrofoam to resemble a radial engine nose, and repainting the airframe camo-style. Before the plans for the air show were completed, the FAA put a halt to the entire proceeding! Jim remarked that he thought the explosives would have had a difficult time destroying the Silhouette because of the strength of the composite construction, but we will never know! Silhouette Motorglider Aircraft

No modifications to the airframe have been completed. The only changes are as follows: • New tires and tubes on all landing gear • Nose strut reinforced at firewall • Canopy latch modified to insure that it would not inadvertently lock • Variometer added. In March of 2003, one incident of minor damage occurred to the airframe: To make a long embarrassing story short, on the first flight of a new season after a 7-8 months lay off and with an over full gas tank (which gives a slight aft CG), the approach was not fast enough in a stiff cross wind which caused the aircraft to flare high and bounced hard. From there, it went for a ride off the runway with the prop striking the PAPI runway light. The end of the broken wood prop flew back denting the left forward fuselage at the left leading edge of the wing and the left elevator. The damage was minor due to the sturdy construction and material used in the aircraft. After consulting with my A&P to make sure there was no structural damage, repairs were completed to all the strike areas, under the supervision of my A&P, who also performed the annual conditions inspections on the aircraft. Jim Kern was also consulted to make certain that no structural damage had occurred and to get his best judgment as to the method of repair. The repairs were inspected by the A&P before painting and were approved. The wood 58” Aerotec fixed pitch prop was replaced with a GSC 58” ground adjustable wood prop. Before replacing the prop, Jim Kern was again consulted where he recommended the wood ground adjustable prop and said he would have chosen that type originally if it had been available. Photos are available of the damage and the repair upon request.

The engine is a 447 Rotax 2 cycle with a 2.58 ratio gearbox. The engine was completely overhauled by Green Sky Rotax Service Center after the initial purchase in 2000. After routine carburetor adjustments, the engine ran well until August of 2001, at which time it seized while trying to start it. The engine was inspected by Rainier Engines Inc., who found that an A/N bolt was in the mag. The bolt was presumably left there during the preceding overhaul. Rainier Engines, Inc. confirmed that there was no damage to the engine. At that inspection, the engine had 30.75 hr. SOH. After the prop strike, the engine crankshaft and gearbox were inspected by Rainier and found no damage. As of May 2010, the engine TT was 94.6 hrs.

wood variable pitch (adjust on ground) 58”

In 2008, 4 1/2 foot wing extensions were completed. They were built of fiberglass cloth over Styrofoam. Design plans from the Silhouette Assembly Manual were used along with input from Jim Kern and another Silhouette owner, Bill May, about construction details. Construction of the extensions was completed and they were fitted to the wings. Initial discussion with the local FAA district office has been completed, but the CG and inspection has not yet occurred. Also, the extensions have not yet been painted to insure that no delaminating occurred on the fiberglass material. No delaminating has occurred.

handheld aviation radio with headset, a Garmin GPS, and any specialty tools that have been acquired for working on the aircraft.