News / National
Zimbabwe man builds a micro-light aircraft
20 Jan 2014 at 21:53hrs | Views
Young Glen View motor mechanic, Kenneth Sampili (33) has become the talk of the high-density suburb lately, not because of his skilful handling of motor engines, but his recent feat - an ambitious attempt at building a micro-light prototype aircraft.
This, he did and Simpili is about to fly.
But not just yet, as he has to satisfy aviation experts and the corporate world that his dream flying machine could make it to the Book of African Records, where Zimbabwe's "firsts" and inventions are recorded.
Using locally available and affordable materials that cost less than $1 000, Sampili has come up with the prototype.
"This is a one-seater microlight prototype aircraft and it has been built not for experimental use only, but also to prove that it can be done in this country," he said of the single seater aircraft in the making.
Once completed, he said, the aircraft, which consists of a wooden propeller and aluminium rods, would weigh 250kg and is powered by a boat engine.
"This prototype uses a boat engine, but what I tell you is that its performance is awesome.
"The engine selected for use in this experiment has a two cylinder, double cycle and liquid cooled boat engine," he said.
He added that the engine has two power stokes per revolution (rev), which translates into more power output after transmission through the pulleys and gears.
"If the engine produces 10 000 revs per minute, then the propeller would produce 50 000 revs per minute.
"The engine is run on pre-mixed gasoline (petrol). The fuel pump is manually driven by the engine. Starting is manual, using pull start (as in two-stroke engines)," he said.
"There are no breaker points for ignition. It is electronic, therefore chances of having power cut is minimum, which means stalling on takeoff is also minimum."
Sampili said he started working on his dream machine in January 2012 but lack of sponsorship had hindered progress.
He is so passionate about his project that some people have laughed him off as a joke.
The aircraft could have taken to the skies in August last year, had it not been for lack of sponsorship as well as getting support from experts.
"The problem we have in Zimbabwe is that the corporate world does not have the zeal to uplift local talent and innovative ideas," he said.
Sampili said he grew up with a passion for inventing or building up something new.
Since childhood, he had been doing research on flying machines, hoping to take after the Wright brothers who invented the first aeroplane.
"Since the Wright brothers' achievement, many countries have built airplanes of different shapes and sizes, and in our country, three people have attempted the art of flying but failed.
"I am not saying that their attempts were failures but I believe that this country is on the right path for success," he said. "We only need sponsors and all will be fine."
Sampili's initial investment into the project came from proceeds of selling his kombi.
The plane is currently grounded at Ingwe Farm, owned by Harare City Council, where he asked for permission to ‘land' it after he requested space from the city authorities.
"Open space is quite ideal when working with aircraft, especially those spaces with a hanger so as to prevent damage from bad weather and the sun.
"The plane needs about a kilometre of runway on gravel road in order to test the engine power as well as to test ground speed at different engine raves," he said.
Meanwhile, Sampili said he has received technical support from an aircraft expert who works at Charles Prince Airport in Harare.
The expert, Cosmas Nyamutswa, who is also a pilot trainer, is said to have visited Ingwe Farm to witness the microlight aircraft.
Nyamutswa said he would help Sampili to get the proper materials needed for the aircraft before it may be allowed to fly.
The expert would also look into the safety aspects in line with international aviation standards.
If all goes according to plan, Sampili's innovation could also be marketed outside the country.
"When I learnt about Sampili's talent, I thought it would be good to have a closer look at it, but what I saw was something else.
"The young man is talented and innovative. I am sure he is going to be the first Zimbabwean to produce a microlight aircraft and I will help him until he flies it," said Nyamutswa.
Sampili's mentor said the one-seater machines were now in demand the world over and could do well in picturesque tourist resorts such as Victoria Falls, Nyanga or Hwange.
"I have travelled a lot and I know the markets out there," he said.
There are a few other locals who have made an attempt at aeronautical inventions.
These include Sibanda Banda who built a ‘helicopter', Shingirayi Taruvinga who came with a ‘fixed wing airplane' and Daniel Chingoma's ‘helicopter' made from scrap metal.
Their inventive genius, however, found no takers and one wonders whether Sampili would be the one to break the jinx.
This, he did and Simpili is about to fly.
But not just yet, as he has to satisfy aviation experts and the corporate world that his dream flying machine could make it to the Book of African Records, where Zimbabwe's "firsts" and inventions are recorded.
Using locally available and affordable materials that cost less than $1 000, Sampili has come up with the prototype.
"This is a one-seater microlight prototype aircraft and it has been built not for experimental use only, but also to prove that it can be done in this country," he said of the single seater aircraft in the making.
Once completed, he said, the aircraft, which consists of a wooden propeller and aluminium rods, would weigh 250kg and is powered by a boat engine.
"This prototype uses a boat engine, but what I tell you is that its performance is awesome.
"The engine selected for use in this experiment has a two cylinder, double cycle and liquid cooled boat engine," he said.
He added that the engine has two power stokes per revolution (rev), which translates into more power output after transmission through the pulleys and gears.
"If the engine produces 10 000 revs per minute, then the propeller would produce 50 000 revs per minute.
"The engine is run on pre-mixed gasoline (petrol). The fuel pump is manually driven by the engine. Starting is manual, using pull start (as in two-stroke engines)," he said.
"There are no breaker points for ignition. It is electronic, therefore chances of having power cut is minimum, which means stalling on takeoff is also minimum."
Sampili said he started working on his dream machine in January 2012 but lack of sponsorship had hindered progress.
He is so passionate about his project that some people have laughed him off as a joke.
The aircraft could have taken to the skies in August last year, had it not been for lack of sponsorship as well as getting support from experts.
"The problem we have in Zimbabwe is that the corporate world does not have the zeal to uplift local talent and innovative ideas," he said.
Sampili said he grew up with a passion for inventing or building up something new.
"Since the Wright brothers' achievement, many countries have built airplanes of different shapes and sizes, and in our country, three people have attempted the art of flying but failed.
"I am not saying that their attempts were failures but I believe that this country is on the right path for success," he said. "We only need sponsors and all will be fine."
Sampili's initial investment into the project came from proceeds of selling his kombi.
The plane is currently grounded at Ingwe Farm, owned by Harare City Council, where he asked for permission to ‘land' it after he requested space from the city authorities.
"Open space is quite ideal when working with aircraft, especially those spaces with a hanger so as to prevent damage from bad weather and the sun.
"The plane needs about a kilometre of runway on gravel road in order to test the engine power as well as to test ground speed at different engine raves," he said.
Meanwhile, Sampili said he has received technical support from an aircraft expert who works at Charles Prince Airport in Harare.
The expert, Cosmas Nyamutswa, who is also a pilot trainer, is said to have visited Ingwe Farm to witness the microlight aircraft.
Nyamutswa said he would help Sampili to get the proper materials needed for the aircraft before it may be allowed to fly.
The expert would also look into the safety aspects in line with international aviation standards.
If all goes according to plan, Sampili's innovation could also be marketed outside the country.
"When I learnt about Sampili's talent, I thought it would be good to have a closer look at it, but what I saw was something else.
"The young man is talented and innovative. I am sure he is going to be the first Zimbabwean to produce a microlight aircraft and I will help him until he flies it," said Nyamutswa.
Sampili's mentor said the one-seater machines were now in demand the world over and could do well in picturesque tourist resorts such as Victoria Falls, Nyanga or Hwange.
"I have travelled a lot and I know the markets out there," he said.
There are a few other locals who have made an attempt at aeronautical inventions.
These include Sibanda Banda who built a ‘helicopter', Shingirayi Taruvinga who came with a ‘fixed wing airplane' and Daniel Chingoma's ‘helicopter' made from scrap metal.
Their inventive genius, however, found no takers and one wonders whether Sampili would be the one to break the jinx.
Source - zimmail
