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Since the introduction of the BCAR
Section "S" for Small Light Aeroplanes in 1985
there have been no new 3 axis microlights of British manufacture
or design even taken to the very rigourous test stage.
It is my contention that the Authorities can't (or won't)
cope with anything new, they need a production status
aircraft with "history" before they will even
consider looking at it.
My first attempt at my own design was
a two seat all flying canard called the Iolaire.
This met with nothing but blocking even after all the
structural stress calculations had been checked and
the load testing completed in line with B.C.A.R. Section
"S" approved methodology (available from the
CAA
website). It has flown, and proved stable and easy
to handle, both in the air and on the ground, however
an approved flight test program cannot be conducted
without a TEST CERTIFICATE.
When I began to think about the design
for a single seat microlight I went back to my aeromodelling
roots (when I designed and raced FAI models at International
level) and thought about the increase in speed and rigidity
the flying wing layout offered. So the idea for the
Sgian Dubh (pronounced skee
an doo) came from a team racer. The name SGIAN DUBH
translates from Gaelic (ancient Scots) for BLACK KNIFE,
i.e. the old Highlander's dagger hence the emblem on
the nose.
Following on from this, the third of
my projects evolved, another single seat microlight
called the Quaich.
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