The success of the Jodel DC1 lead
M. Delemontez to make a thorough revision, and the first D-18 took
to the air in the spring of 1984. At first glance looking quite
similar to the DC1, there is hardly a single point where
Delemontez has not checked, thought and more often than not,
changed something. The prototype has a slightly bigger span than
the DC1, and weighed 243kg empty. MTOW is 460kg.
In the 13 years
that passed between the prototype's first flight and the summer of
'97, SAB had sold approximately 470 licences. This should mean about
35 sold pro year. And if you use EAA's statistics saying about 15%
of homebuilts are completed it should mean about 70 are currently
flying. The straightforward construction of the plane should
indicate that more of them are flying however.
Like all other
Jodels the D18 is built entirely of wood. Even compared to other
wooden airplanes there is incredibly little metal in a D18. Beside
the engine most of the metal is in the undercarriage.
Primarily aimed at being powered by
a 1700cc Volkswagen conversion, the D18's are powered by a multitude
of powerplants. Different VW conversions, Limbach engines, JPX'es of
different sizes and last but not least the Australian Jabiru engine.
Rotax 912/914 should also be good engines for the D18.
specifications
powerplant
propeller
length
height
wing span
wing area
seats
empty weight
useful load
gross weight
fuel capacity
range |
Limbach EO2X L2000. 80 hp at
3,400 rpm.
x
18 ft 8 in
x
24 ft 7 in
106 sq ft
2
520 lb
495 lb
1,015 lb
65 litres
480 nm |
performance
takeoff distance,
ground roll
rate of climb
max speed
cruise speed
landing distance, ground roll
service ceiling |
450 ft
650 fpm
106 kt
90 kt
600 ft
x |
limiting and recommended speeds
design manoeuvring speed (Va)
never exceed speed (Vne)
stall, power off (Vsl)
landing approach speed |
x
135 kt
40 kt
x |
All specifications are based on manufacturer's
calculations
|
