Ellis Cellar: I'd put a PT-6 turboprop on the front if it. This would add to the "modern" feel and is an economical way to get the desired horsepower out of it. You can choose from a number of models to get your desired HP. The turboprop has essentially replaced the high horsepower piston engines for all practical uses.
David Kuper: The design of an aircraft Rib depends on the coordinated interaction of multiple specialized fields of research. First, there is the aerodynamic element. The rib IS the shape of the wing and will ultimately hold the skin in place, so an efficient airfoil must be selected for the basic plan form of the rib. Then the rib must be analyzed from a structural standpoint in terms of strength, materials, weight, and production capacity. The rib must be strong enough to support the weight of the airplane, but light enough to not weight down the airplane. In terms of strength, the rib likely will be split around the main wing spar (and possib! ly by an aft spar) so the optimal placement of this break in the chord of the rib needs to be considered, as well as the material to be used in construction. Aluminum is widely available, but makes for heavier airplanes than wood. Wood is more labor intensive, but carries tremendous loads for its own weight (many old wood and fabric winged aircraft are much faster than modern all-metal aircraft for this reason). Finally, the chosen design and materials must be production feasible. The wood and fabric wing design might require an extra 200 man-hours or more to complete, while a space-aged titanium construction might require an unacceptable amount of research and development to produce. To top it all off, the bottom line is the price tag. If the design can't be produced at a reasonable price to consumers, it won't be selected....Show more
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