Aluminium metal advice needed.

[chickensoup]

Dare i ask a off topic question ,
                                             I'm just collecting the materials to build my own paramotor. Could i get away with using everyday grade aluminium tube or do i need aviation grade, is aviation grade very expensive? Does anyone know of a supplier of either?
      I downloaded some plans to build a paramotor frame, so will be requiring a motor...if anyone knows of one for sale.

  thanks

      chicken

[fp29]

Hi you must use aircraft grade materals right to the nuts bolts any thing that is used on a aircraft or flying machine must be aircraft spec look on ebay there was a few when i last looked
Frank

[Amy]

If what your doing is to be CAA licenced, directly or via a sub organisation, then you have to follow their plans and directives which all form part of  JAR /VLA. - EU joint aviation requirement / very light aircraft

It will detail what materials you may only use, they must be 'released' and your work project registered, issued with a build log, inspected at the stipulated stages by an authorised inspector for that A/C type.......
You must talk to your inspector before you start as he will want to satisfy himself of your competance to carry out the work, cos its his name on the ticket after.

An example. Say you were to mark some tube where you were to  cut it and you used a solvent type marker pen. That MAY cause it to be scrap. Chemicals from the pen will etch and damage. There are strict rules regarding the use of bolts, how many threads, non threaded grip length, nut type etc.

If you dont already know all this, then the paperwork side is the first thing you must attend to. Without it, you only have scrap afterwards.

[cirrusvfr]

I guess that being a paramotor it would come under the SSDR rules   ( Single Seat De-Regulated ) and under 115 Kg. The rules for these are much more relaxed, however if it were me I would still use aviation spec materials........after all its your a** that will be hanging up there !

[lightfoot]

...looks like galvi builders band, unistrut and old boiler parts etc are out then Chook 

[johnrae]

So, where can one buy relatively small quantities of superior grade aluminium sections (note spelling so a UK source please).
There's plenty of 6082T6 on e-bay but it's relatively soft so not really what I'm looking for.
The same type of material they use for aluminium crutches would do me - it's reasonably "hard" and very strong
jack

[djh]

I was going to write that you can buy it right where I live

Because the UK agents for Aircraft Spruce - one of the kit/DIY suppliers - were here. But I see that the agent has changed:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/intlreps.html#unitedkingdom
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/me/aluminum.html
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/aluminfo.php

http://www.lasaero.com/site/

If it doesn't need to be aircraft grade then I guess that any metal basher will be able to source what you need.

[DaveSnafu]

Or..........you could just give Steve a ring at mid wales paragliding centre on 01970 871145 and see if he has any used machines for sale, I am sure he could help you find a decent used motor/frame.
Stainless Steel is used extensively on paramotor frames, aluminium won't like being bent back into shape after a bump.