Sitka Spruce, testing replacements for Sitka Spruce in wood aircraft construction, Fisher Flying. 

Thank you for this excellent post. Interestingly, I had researched materials used by the early pioneers of flight many years ago, as I had been led to believe that Sitka spruce was the way to go. What I discovered then, was that even the Wright brothers had chosen Northern White Pine, as the most practical wood, and many other manufacturers as well. The designer of the Pou du Ciel (Flying Flea), Henri Mignet, also chose this wood above others, which is what inspired me to look closer. The price difference explains why an HM 293 Ultra leger Flying Flea, can be built for as little as 3,000 dollars, In these unsettled times, any measures that can be taken to maintain standards, and retain survivable profit margins, and to lower cost to the customer, has got to be beneficial to all parties. I wish both you, and your business, every success for the future. Kind Regards Nigel

It would be interesting to retest, with the cross section of each test piece adjusted so as for a given length, all the test species had the same weight. This is very interesting information, useful for those of us that build in wood other things than aircraft, but where strength is still important. THANK you for posting this.

The Zelin used a polish pine spar, the old NACA specs give yellow poplar as not a substitute but an alternative

Thank you I however believe you exceeded the rings per inch on the sitka Spruce.

How about COOSA board? It’s used in marine applications to good effect as a replacement for wood materials in structures. Lighter, no significant water absorption, no susceptibility to mold. It has similar ability to hold screws as plywood does.

you have to do impact tests

Have you ever considered Paulownia wood it is the lightest and strongest strongest hardwood.

This is all fascinating, but why not think outside of the box? Why not create a hybrid material? I have some suggestions in this respect if you are interested then contact me via my You-Tube business contact email. All that it will cost you is some time.

grows like weed in the uk