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Let’s cut right to the chase. Flying the Hornet for the second time in a couple of years (the second flight was in April ’96), I experienced a most disconcerting quality: flutter. While I have many good things to say about the Hornet, this one experience elbows its way to the front of the line. Easing into the “Pilot’s Report” on the Hornet simply isn’t possible when such an experience dominates my thinking. Published in Light Sport and Ultralight Flying Seating 2, tandem Empty weight 475 pounds Gross weight 1,000 pounds Wingspan 27 feet 6 inches Wing area 138 square feet Wing loading 7.2 pounds/sq ft Length 20 feet Height 6 feet Fuel Capacity 9 gallons Kit type Construction Build time 250-400 hours Standard engine Hirth 2703 Power 55 horsepower Power loading 18.2 pounds/hp Cruise speed 100 mph Never exceed speed 140 mph Rate of climb at gross 500 fpm Takeoff distance at gross 400 feet Landing distance at gross 250 feet Standard Features Electric start, steerable nosewheel, pneumatic suspension on all wheels, hydraulic brakes, aluminum wheels, large tires, electric flaps, electric horizontal stabilizer trim, dual aileron control circuits, dual elevator control circuits, adjustable seats, disassembles for trailering; wings, fuselage and empennage factory-assembled.