While Phantoms have always been a source of satisfaction to its owners the design has suffered through numerous owners… but not any more! These days Phantom Aircraft, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan is operated by Pat Schulthies who lends his steady hand to the long established brand.
Dating to the beginning of the ultralight movement in the early 1980s the new X1-E model also advances the design into the new millennium. In those young days of ultralight flying Phantom was considered a high performing aircraft with snappy handling. Today such a description may fit other brands but Phantom hasn’t lost its edge.
For those that may be hesitant about building their own aircraft Phantom may set you at ease. Formally a teacher, Shulthies had his entire school participate in building the now famous “Child’s Play” Phantom. In the end 130 kids had actually worked on building this ultralight and while they did a better job than I could, you should be able to meet the challenge.
Built the more open X-1 carefully and you’ll find a plane which can qualify under part 103 (the X1-e will require N-numbers). Perhaps the best part is that Phantom Aircraft Company can sell you an aircraft for under $10,000 (X-1 model). This modest amount of money will actually buy all the bits and pieces you need to get airborne, engine and prop included. Naturally if you want extra features like the full enclosure or other choices from a long list of options you will end up paying a little more.
Hi Dan, Been reading your articles forever now…maybe 20 years? I’ve always been curious about the comparison between a Phantom x1 and a Quicksilver sport. They are both wire braced, single seaters that share many apsects other than one being tractor and one being pusher. They are made out of the same materials and weight the same.
Phantom is known for its aerobatic strength but the quicksilver not so much. In the past people clipped the wings on their sprints and put new shorter skins on. In this configuration, would you say that the sprint would be more or less similar to the Phantom. I know Disney and others have done aerobatic shows with these clipped wing quicksilvers. Joe
Thanks for your kind readership over a long time; that is appreciated, Joe.
Yes, Phantom and Quicksilver use similar construction techniques. However, if you examine and compare the wings you will see they agave somewhat different shapes.
Both can be flown in modest aerobatics by someone with sufficient skill, but some experienced pilots believe Phantom is better suited to this type of flight. Quicksilver made a model called Super that may be the best at this and was once flown aerobatically at airshows by Quicksilver’s then-president, Lyle Byrum.
Especially if you purchase a used aircraft for this purpose, proceed with caution.
Just bought a Phantom X1 that had been in a hangar with few other planes which got thrown at the X1 by a tornado. Old owner has replaced main beam. Tail feathers look good. Wing covering need to be replaced. He has pulled all the instruments out. It needs a new prop. Need a manual. Need advice.
Hi Jeff: Go straight to the source for the help you need, Phantom Aeronautics.