Volmer VJ2222nd design

Frank Ducker

• Volmer Jensen designed the VJ-22 in 1957 to help him explore his new found passion of snorkeling and scuba diving. The first flight was in December of 1958. Volmer initially designed the amphibian just for himself but received such an over whelming request for plans he started a business selling them.

started a business selling them.

Why a Volmer?

• Most FUN you can have in an airplane!– Amphibian is best of both worlds, land & sea.– 2-seats

• One more project in me. • Proven design• Cheap(ish), to buy and run.• May be built as LSA• Simple as possible

Performance goals• 1000Lbs wet. No pilots (1400lbs with pilots)

– Wings & tail= 200Lbs– Hull= 460lbs– Engine= 250Lbs– Fuel= 22gals= 132Lbs= 3 hrs flight time(+ reserves)

• 100MPH- cruise, 44MPH landing• 6 gals/hr or $36/hr or $100/tank• Total cost <$30K.

Other Goals• Take a mold of hull for:-

– Lightweight with modern materials– Completely corrosion resistant– Future replacement for antique hull– Not for resale (Yet!)– Learn composites

• Maybe change the engine to Rotax 912UL– Light weight- save 50-80Lbs from O-200.– More fuel efficient.

• Meet LSA requirements– No medical, 1420Lbs gross for amphib.

• Add FLAPs & vortex generators• Add full aircraft Ballistic parachute• Salt water resistant.

What to Keep, what to replace?

• Control wires and connectors? Inspect, test , replace or keep.

• Tires and inner tubes- main- replace• Bungee cords-Replace• Covering- remove & replace• Lexan where cracked• Instruments? Use if OK, upgrade• Wiring- non installed

Engine C-O200, 100HP• No Logs to start, last overhaul in 1971?, 44 yrs

ago• Strip down to see what I have. No rust!!• Rebuild and gets fresh logs.

Inside Hull- a little dust (40 yrs?)

Beautiful, no rot or glue joint issues, never in water or flown

Handling and storage• Create methods to move around and lift• Invention- wooden gantry for rolling over.• Use of ‘Hanger” car port for spraying

Other small amphibs

• Icon. $175K…..

• Aventura - $75K• Burt Rutan SKIBird $$xxM

– Tri-hull, folding wings, ski’s, tandem, two engines, motor glider, all composite , no pics

History & support

• A hand full still flying, lots in Canada• Volmer club of America

– Chat site, Delphi forums• Some still for sale. Bargains to be had. $4K in

Vancouver.• Previous generation of pilots built them but

now are getting old.

Landing Gear• “ARMSTRONG” retractable “Johnson bar”.

– Simple, 60Lbs, robust, standard aircraft tires.– Add an electric “linear actuator” assist mechanism

Tail wheel- retractable

• Change to non-retract with “Shoe” for drag reduction and reduce complexity.

Wings- 7AC all wood champ wings

• Damage to right wing root.• Anyone got metal spar wings they want to

sell?

Surprises

• Information from previous builders– Water in wheels….– Tail wheel retract accidents– Hydraulic Retract mechanisms

• Simplicity of design yet robust.• Beautiful workmanship.

Training and 1st flight

• CHAMP wings and weight- good for prep flying• High thrust water operations

– Get LAKE Buccaneer experience

Where to go with it?- Fantasy flights• Along the California coast at 50 feet.. • San Juan Island hopping• Bahamas• Fly the length of the Mississippi.• Etc, etc

• DREAM ON…