Mike Arnold’s legacy surrounds the craftsmanship of homebuilt small aircrafts. A master in the world of fiberglass and composites design.
The Homebuilder Legacy
While the detail of these planes was second to none, the process is what really stands out. The fuselage and associated components were designed and shaped by hand, with no use of computer aided design or analysis.
The AR-5 was designed and built in a former restaurant building in Northern California. Started in 1981 and debuted in 1992, the plane soon broke the official world speed record for aircraft under 300kg.
All crafted by hand in Mike’s workshop.
Unmatched Craftsmanship
While the AR-5 achieved a speed of ~213mph, it was the breakthrough of the drag barrier that set it apart to the aircraft community.
Unknowingly, the attention to detail behind this build exceeded what many aerodynamicists and engineers could achieve through data and design programs. The handcrafted design broke the one square foot drag barrier.
Beyond the technical details of aerodynamics, this served as a testament to the knowledge and human design behind the build.
Craftsman’s Medium: Fiberglass
Through the construction of these designs, refined knowledge lives not only in the technical design but in the craft of fiberglass mold-making. Shaping foam cores and pulling fiberglass molds, well acquainted with every material throughout the process. The subsequent video series produced by The Arnold Company share an unmatched mastery of the craft.
Community & Sources:
While Mike passed away in 2015, his family has made public the original Arnold Company video series behind the fiberglass methods and aircraft.
The original AR-5 website includes more information specific to the aircraft.
As the time of this article, the AR-5 was on display at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, Ca.
Additional archival videos can be found from Max Volume’s Youtube Playlist.
Master Craftsmen is an editorial column that works to uncover and continue the legacy of craftsmen current and past. Lessons learned in time.
Content referenced within is intended to be biographical in nature. Reflecting the work of each master craftsman apart from outside opinion.
All sources are linked to the original creator(s), and hold no direct affiliation unless otherwise stated. Simply acknowledging real people and real work.