CA-2 Testimonials

Testimonials on the CA-2

Click here to read about Del Preston's completed CA-2..

By Brian Lindner Editor : CA-2 FLYER

The CA-2 was designed by Frank Griffith, it made its public debut at Oshkosh '93. The prototype was powered by a Rotax 277, and was part 103 legal. The aircraft was featured in the Dec'93 issue of EAA Experimenter. The CA-2 is constructed of primarily .016 aluminum sheet, with angle extrusion and tubing as well. The control surfaces and tail group are fabric covered to save weight. The CA-2 can be assembled with POP rivets, driven rivets can be used in many areas to save weight and money.

Morry took over plan sales when Frank decided to pursue other interests. The typical CA-2 builder is retired, with mechanical or metal working backgrounds, they seem to have little trouble with the plans or building it, ( though many are first time builders ) we have not had a great deal of success in getting those builders in the air. There is a builder in Idaho who has had his plane built for several years, he has crow hopped it, but he has never taken it around the patch. A builder in British Columbia has his complete, but can't get a Canadian medical since heart surgery.

The first plans built CA-2 to fly, was built and flown by George Genevro of Salem OR. on Feb. 5 1998. In his mid 80s, he has since gave the plane away because of health problems. We currently have builders in NY and PA, ready to fly. In July of 2002, Delmar Preston's CA-2 became the first to fly with a 1/2 VW for power. Del's 1/2 VW has 94 mm cylinders and a 69 mm stroke, putting it in-between Hummel's 32 and 37 hp models. Note: The use of the 1/2 VW will put the CA-2 over the 254 lb. limit of Part 103 ( ultralight rule ).

As for myself, I purchased my plans in '94, ( number 18 ) after seeing the prototype at Oshkosh in '93. I started the newsletter in '95 because I felt there was a need to keep the builders around the country in touch, and aware of each others progress. Also it is a means to share information , construction tips, and and solutions of difficulties encountered. We now also have an email discussion group at: CA-2 BUILDERS@yahoo.com . We have 57 members in the group currently. We don't tend to have as much give and take as some groups, the guys seem to build without a lot of trouble. There are more CA-2s under construction now than there have ever been at any time before. At any given time over the years there have been about 6 builders in touch with me regularly, but the names of the 6 keep changing.

Frank did a good job, very few errors have been found in the plans! I chose not to start cutting aluminum until the first aircraft flew, in this instance that was unnecessary, but I learned a lot from those early builders. I have not made a lot of progress to date. I am currently building wing ribs. I chose a metal design because I knew it would be a slow process, I am a dairy farmer, and spare time is very scarce. With aluminum, temperature and humidity are not big considerations, as it can be with wood or composite designs. There are no epoxy pot life limitations, or all day lay-ups. I can drill a hole, or bend a flange, leave and return a day, a month, or a year later, and start up right where I left off, nothing has degraded.HAPPY BUILDING!

If you've flown or are building the CA-2, please send your testimonial to be published on this page.

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