Lacey M-10 Explained

The Lacey M-10 is an American homebuilt aircraft that was designed to use simple construction techniques.[1]

Design and development

The Lacey M-10 was designed to have a minimum of rigging required for construction. The strutless, flat bottomed wing omits features such as washout, compound curves, dihedral and angle of incidence. Other than ailerons, the simple wing does not use flaps, leading edge slots or any other lift devices.[2]

The M-10 is a cantilevered, high wing, conventional landing gear-equipped aircraft that seats two in tandem. The all-wood wing is able to pivot 90 degrees for trailering or storage.[3] The pivot works by removing four bolts, using a jack to raise the wing a few inches for pivoting, then lowering the wing again, reattaching the bolts in the same pattern. The controls are mounted overhead. The front and rear occupant each have an individual door for entry on either side.[4]

Although only two M-10s have been built, the simple construction of the flat-winged M-10 has resulted in it becoming a popular design for model aircraft competition.[5]

Operational history

In September 2014 at least one M-10 was still on the American Federal Aviation Administration aircraft registry.[6]

Variants

M-10
  • Initial model powered by a single Continental C-90 engine.
    M-10C
  • A twin engine variant powered by two Volkswagen air-cooled engines on nose mounted pylons designed by Joseph Lacey and R. G. Muggins. Empty weight increased to roughly 1000NaN0 to 7400NaN0 in comparison to the single engine design, with a performance decrease to 1000NaN0 in cruise. The cabin can be converted into a sleeper for one person.[7]

    Notes and References

    1. Air Trails. Winter 1971. 76.
    2. Web site: Lacey M-10. 27 February 2012.
    3. Air Progress Sport Aircraft. Winter 1969. 4.
    4. Popular Mechanics. Fresh flock of folding wing airplanes. February 1963.
    5. Sport Aviation. November 1976. 6.
    6. Web site: N-Number Inquiry Results - N73884. 20 September 2014. Federal Aviation Administration. 20 September 2014.
    7. Sport Aviation. November 1968. The Twin-Bug Lacey M-IOC. George E. Goodhead. Jr. 19.