The SHARK!!

[Baron]

Article by: Baron Johnson


Here it is, the thread about my Shark! I'll first focus on Leo and the full scale aircraft for those not familiar with either...

Leo Loudenslager

Leo Loudenslager was a seven-time winner of the United States Aerobatic Championship, and in 1980, he became World Aerobatic Champion. Loudenslager was dedicated to instilling enthusiasm, safe practices, showmanship and practical skills in aerobatic newcomers and students. His skills as Bud Light performer were noted by peers in a poignant Air Shows tribute following his death in July, 1997. Chuck Newcomb summarized the traits leading to Leo’s Excellence award. "Three things impressed me. His unparalleled personal integrity, a genuine humility that was all the more impressive given his stature and reputation in our business, and his clear determination to never settle for anything less than perfection." Speaking of his Bud Light performance, Bob Hoover simply presented, "I’ve seen just about everyone fly. Leo is the best aerobatic pilot.”

It was in 1964 that Leo's conviction to fly aerobatics materialized. He took leave from his job as airman at Travis AFB to attend the Reno Air Races. There he watched Bob Hoover and Duane Cole in their dazzling aerobatic performances. Those were his heroes and he wanted to one day stand alongside them as an equal, one of the "best of the best."

He was self-taught, except for ground school training. He did everything else on his own, including his commercial, flight instruction and instrument licenses.

In 1966 at the age of 22 he joined American Airlines as a first officer. Since this afforded him the opportunity to log hours and steady income, he felt it was the perfect platform from which to launch an attack on his aerobatic goal--to be the best in the world.

Like most things in his life, Leo's aerobatic goal was approached in a very nontraditional way. He hit the scene as a virtual unknown, no one in the industry had ever heard of him or the mid-wing airplane he had built in the basement of his home. Presumptuous as it appeared to the other contestants, Leo entered the Unlimited class of the 1971 Nationals in Oak Grove, Texas. This was a feat that had never been done -- for a brand new aerobatic pilot to take a brand-new machine and try for the world team. Although he didn't make the team that year he did force the aerobatic world to take notice of his skill and determination.

After four years of alterations on the airplane which he then called the Laser 200 and many hours of practice, Leo entered and won the Nation Aerobatic Championship in 1975. That win made him the nominal leader of the U.S. Team headed for Kiev, Russia and the 1976 World Aerobatic Championships. Leo and the American team didn't score well in that contest but that had no influence on his drive to win again in the U.S.. He repeated his National Championship wins six times--in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1982. In 1980 Leo achieved what he had so aggressively pursued-- the World Aerobatic Championship. He is one of the only two Americans to earn that place in aviation history and is the only person to win seven national titles.

His achievements in the air show industry mirror those he earned in competition. He was the recipient of the prestigious Victor Award for his outstanding contributions to sports, and in 1982 he was inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame. He also earned the ICAS Sword of Excellence, the Bill Barber Award and the Art Scholl Showmanship Award.

Sadly, Leo died July 28, 1997 as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident near his home in Tennessee. The entire aerobatic and aviation community mourns his tragic loss at too early an age.

[Baron]

Loudenslager Shark

In 1991, in conjunction with Zivko Aeronautics Inc., Loudenslager began construction of the Shark. It was perhaps the most radically designed aerobatic aircraft ever seen and it was intended to perform the most impressive and precise aerobatics of its day. The fuselage was constructed from carbon fiber tubes bonded to titanium clusters with mag-alloy side fairings. The wing and tail were made from carbon fiber, which offered the strength needed for extremely aggressive high ‘g’ aerobatics. The unusual design of the tail combined traditional rudder and elevator controls with all-moving surfaces for the quickest possible response in demanding maneuvers. This sleek, lightweight, two-place airframe was powered by a 250-hp Lycoming IO-540 engine.

Loudenslager’s untimely death in 1997 left the aircraft unfinished. The Shark was completed and donated to the EAA AirVenture Museum in July 2002.

Wing Span: 26’ 1”
Empty Weight: 950 lbs.

[Baron]

...

[Baron]

Some pictures of the cockpit. Leo designed it with space for a passenger seat up front. He could take passengers for rides simply by changing the canopy hatch.

[Baron]

More pics...

[Diablo2006]

what an extrodinary aircraft

[Baron]

Now for the model... Here are the specs

38.8% Loudenslager Shark
Designed by Baron Johnson
Built by Baron and Fred Johnson

Wingspan: 121.5"
Weight: 39-40 lbs.
Engine: Desert Aircraft DA-150
Right Thrust: 0 Degrees
Exhaust: MTW 110 canisters
Radio: JR 10X / Dual Rx
Servos:
Aileron: (4) JR 8611a
Elevator: (2) JR 8611a
Rudder: (3) JR 8611a
Throttle: JR 8611
Choke: JR 8611
Ventral Fin Retraction: Custom JR servo by Horizon Hobby
Covering: Ultracote
Tailwheel: Custom Titanium
Main gear: Custom Aluminum by TNT Landing Gear
Spinner: Tru-Turn Aluminum

The prototype had about 30 flights on it in a week and a half before we left for the NATS.

[Baron]

...

[Baron]

I'll post some more pics of the construction and such a little later...

[JeeUm]

Cool, that's the best word I can use to describe that.

[krashmaster81]

Wow, that is really awesome!!

-Matt

[Diablo2006]

how long did that take you then?