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Mystery Plane
Tube-and-Rag Construction, Unbeatable Performance
By Anthony J. Liberatore, EAA 99484, aliberatore@gmx.com
Dave Williams’ Delta in the Homebuilt area at EAA AirVenture 2008 – a stunning example
This month’s Mystery Plane is a part of EAA’s early heritage dating back to when it first flew in 1962. With its double-delta configuration and a passenger compartment turtle deck that contributes up to 30 percent of the aircraft’s lift, it stands alone as the only homebuilt with this configuration. Another unique feature is that it’s a four-seat homebuilt with the pilot sitting alone up front with all three passengers in the rear.
The Dyke JD-2 Delta, designed by John Dyke of Fairborn, Ohio, was featured in a 2009 issue of EAA’s Experimenter. If the aforementioned details aren’t enough innovation, the Dyke Delta can be easily folded up and towed behind an automobile. With a wingspan of 22 feet, 3 inches, and folding outer wing panels that fit over the center section, the JD-2 possesses a road legal width of 7 feet, 5 inches, making it legal for towing on any U.S. street or highway. Although the JD-2 doesn’t fall in line with the light-sport aircraft specifications, it’s a very economical aircraft to build, own, and operate.
The towing of the Dyke could be done on a trailer, but it doesn’t have to be, since its torsion bar type tricycle retractable landing gear is roadworthy. In fact, John Dyke has literally towed his JD-2 thousands of miles behind his car over his nearly 50 years of flying N555A. That period of flying is a milestone.
If you’re interested in the JD-2, consider being in attendance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 as the Dyke Delta community plans on celebrating this half a century of flight of this aircraft by having as many Deltas in attendance as possible.
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The framework on display at the Dyke dinner, EAA AirVenture 2008 |
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Dyke Delta plans are available from:
John Dyke
2840 Old Yellow Spring Road
Fairborn, OH 45324
Phone: 937-430-8298
Web Resources
The primary web resource for Dyke Delta builders, fliers, and enthusiasts is the Dyke Delta Yahoo! Group which can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DykeDelta.
Specifications
- Number of Seats: 4
- Length: 19 feet
- Wingspan: 22 feet, 3 inches
- Height: 5 feet, 6 inches
- Wing area: 173 feet²
- Empty weight: 1,060 pounds
- Gross weight: 1,980 pounds
- Powerplant: One Lycoming O-360, 180 hp
- Maximum speed: 200 mph (322 kilometers/hour)
- Cruise speed: 170 mph (274 kilometers/hour)
- Range: 870 miles (1,400 kilometers)
- Service ceiling: 14,500 feet (4,420 meters)
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