Ten years ago, in the spring of ’93, I flew and reported on the nosewheel T-Bird I. Part 103 was barely 10 years old then and Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft concepts were a decade in the distant future.
This month we’re going to take a look at the taildragger T-Bird model. The good news through this passage of time is that the T-Bird I remains a delightful aircraft to fly. Anyone entering ultralight aviation should consider this plane among the fleet of possibilities.
Maybe you’re a bit overwhelmed by the steady stream of talk about FAA’s proposed Light-Sport Aircraft rule. The concept may be a bright light on the aviation horizon, but with another 6 months or more to wait, the patience of many pilots is wearing thin.
Even though I’m excited about this proposed new class of aircraft, I remain a true believer in the lighter, simpler, less expensive theory of ultralight aircraft.
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AirSports Expo 2002
AirSports Expo attracts a large crowd and many vendors.
On the first day in Ontario, California, you could see this was going to be the largest AirSports Expo yet. In the shadow still lingering from September 11, many wondered and worried about participation and attendance, but the concern was baseless. A flurry of activity in the last few weeks before the show brought so many requests for exhibit space that the already designed floor plan had to be scrapped and redrawn.
More than 2200 pilots and other visitors saw the exhibits of 65 vendors. While still small next to Sun ’n Fun or AirVenture Oshkosh, this was a good turnout. The range of vendors included many aircraft suppliers and all manner of accessories and informational products.
Gathering of Eagles
AirSports Expo represents the combined efforts of the Soaring Society of America (SSA), the U.S. Ultralight Association (USUA), and the U.S. Hang Gliding Association (USHGA).
Ultralight Motorgliders
The ultralight motorglider evolution continues in Europe.
Ultralight motorgliders are as rare as hen’s teeth in the U.S., but Europe is blessed with several choices that nicely complement high-end, high-priced full-size motorgliders. While America has the lovely Esprit from Aero Dovron, our soaring friends across the Atlantic continue to lead this specialized market.
Full-size (higher-weight) motorgliders start at more than $100,000 and can surpass $200,000. Those who can afford them are surely thrilled with such beautiful machines, but most of us can’t spend that kind of money regardless of their superb performance.
However, at $20-$30,000 ready-to-fly, a clean self-launching soaring aircraft is more affordable. Like their larger siblings, these efficient designs can also cruise under power respectably well, giving them broader appeal than pure gliders.
Noins’ Excel
One of the newest of the breed is the Excel from France’s Noins Aeronautiques Alpaero. Based in beautiful Tallard in the French Alps, Noins is revered by French soaring pilots.
Ultralight Rotorcraft? Here are Two
America is a great country, most pilots agree. We can fly our planes all over (except in TFRs) without special permission from the government. Pilots in many countries don’t have this privilege. We can fly all manner of aircraft, from factory-built, certified models to kitbuilt machines to ultralights.
We also have several regulatory programs under which we can fly our planes. You can use your pilot’s license under Part 61 and operate under Part 91. You will soon be able to get a sport pilot license that won’t require a medical and fly a light-sport aircraft with industry-devised certification (sanctioned and approved by the FAA).
Or you can operate under Part 103, the least-burdensome regulation in the flying world. All of Part 103 can easily be printed on two pages. Remarkable! After 21 years, the FAA’s simplest rule is still going strong. One proof is that designers keep introducing aircraft that fit FAR 103’s definitions.
Czech Aircraft Works
An American finds success building aircraft overseas.
This is not a story about a Czech company. It’s about an American company in the Czech Republic, a distinction that makes this story different.
For months we have been hearing and reading about sport pilot and light- sport aircraft (LSA). The FAA’s new rule is creating plenty of excitement for some very good reasons. That excitement is not confined to the U.S. Overseas manufacturers are eyeing the new rule as a way to enter the U.S. market. One of those in the best position to take advantage of the new rule is Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW).
An American In Prague
Chip Erwin hails from Wisconsin. Today, he is an American who owns a company in the Czech Republic. His CZAW has become one of that country’s largest aircraft producers. He accomplished all of this during the single decade when the Czech Republic regained its independence.
Light Sport Aircraft – Sidebar 2
Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturer List*
American Fixed-Wing Manufacturers
Brand
Sample Models
Telephone
E-Mail
Website (www. assumed)
Ace Aircraft
Corben Baby Ace/Jr. Ace
706-886-6341
aceair@alltel.net
exp-aircraft.com/aircraft/ace/ace.html
Aerocomp
Merlin
321-453-6641
info@aerocompinc.com
aerocompinc.com
Arnet Pereyra
Aventura I and II
321-635-8005
info@sea-plane.com
sea-plane.com
Avid Aircraft
Mark IV Bandit
406-682-5615
sales@avidair.com
avidair.com
Capella Aircraft
Capella SS Fastback XLS
512-288-4161
webmaster@capellakitplanes.com
capellakitplanes.com
CGS Aviation
Hawk Classic/Arrow
440-632-1424
chucks2000@core.com
cgsaviation.com
Earthstar Aircraft
Gull 2000 Odyssey
805-438-5235
gull438@aol.com
thundergull.com
Fisher Flying Products
Complete line of aircraft
701-493-2286
ffpjac@daktel.com
fisherflying.com
Flightstar
Flightstar IISL IISC
860-875-8185
fstar@mail2.nai.net
fly-flightstar.com
Flying K
Sky Raider I and II
208-445-7529
flyingk@micron.net
skyraider.com
Golden Circle Air
T-Bird I and II
515-834-2225
sales@aircraftsuper-market.com
goldencircleair.com
Hurricane
Clip Wing Hauler
904-935-0356
mkhytek@aol.com
Leza AirCam
Drifter
863-655-4242
aircam@ct.net
lezaaircam.com
Loehle Aircraft
P-40 5151 Mustang (fixed gear) Spad
931-857-3419
info@loehle.com
loehle.com
Phantom Aircraft
Phantom X-1 X-1e
616-375-0505
phantom@complink.com
phantomaircraft.com
Preceptor Aircraft
N-3 Pup Ultra Pup
828-286-1926
preceptor@blueridge.net
preceptoraircraft.com
Progressive Aerodyne
SeaRey
407-292-3700
searey@bellsouth.com
searey.com
Quad City Ultralights Aircraft
Challenger I II Clipped Wing
309-764-9515
daveatqcu@aol.com
quadcitychallenger.com
Quicksilver Manufacturing
Sprint Sport GT400/500
909-506-0061
quick@pe.net
quicksilveraircraft.com
RANS
Coyote Sakota Airaile Stinger S-7
785-625-6346
rans@media-net.net
rans.com
Rocky Mountain Wings
Ridge Runner
208-446-6699
rmwwings@aol.com
realflying.com
SkyStar
Kitfox IV Lite Lite Squared
208-454-2444
sales@skystar.com
skystar.com
Slipstream Industries
Genesis Revelation
920-787-5886
mail@slipstreamind.com
slipstreamind.com
Spectrum Aircraft
(Aeroprakt) Vista-Cruiser Vulcan Valor
863-314-9788
jhunter@strato.net
spectrumaircraft.com
The New Kolb Aircraft
Complete line of aircraft
606-862-9692
tnkolbaircraft@sun-spot.com
tnkolbaircraft.com
Titan Aircraft
Tornado I II
440-466-0602
titan@suite224.net
titanaircraft.com
Zenith Aircraft
601XL 701
573-581-9000
info@zenithair.com
zenithair.com
Imported Fixed-Wing Manufacturers
Brand
Sample Models
Telephone
E-Mail
Website (www.
Airborne Australia
A light-sport contender?
As the FAA’s proposed SportPlanes™/light-sport aircraft (LSA) rule moves steadily closer to becoming a law of the land, intense focus has been concentrated on candidate aircraft from overseas.
Though many pilots excited by the new rule are paying attention to fixed-wing designs, these are hardly the only aircraft that will qualify under the proposed regulation. In fact, consensus standards being devised by the industry to certify LSA have separate committees writing recommendations for powered parachutes and trikes (weight-shift). (Committees for gyroplanes, gliders, airships and balloons are also possible, but are not presently active.)
This month, “Light Stuff” looks at AirBorne Australia. Though its home is an immense distance from our shores and despite many other trike entries from the U.S. and overseas, AirBorne has built a solid following among Americans. However, AirBorne is one of those companies that does more than initially meets the eye.
Going Both Ways
Besides the Australian company, I can think of only two other manufacturers that currently build both ultralights and hang gliders.
Silent Trikes
Meet the Silent family of sleek trikes
Most trikes (powered hang gliders) use fiberglass only for nose pods and wheelpants. The Silent brand of trikes from Germany is an exception as these machines use composite materials for much of the trike carriage or chassis. The Silent family includes four models, two of which are still in production.
Although the Silent trikes are well known to Germans and other Europeans, it took Australian light aviation pioneer Bill Moyes to introduce the stunning Silent Racer to American skies. I first came across this unusual machine at Florida’s Wallaby Ranch before the Sun ’n Fun airshow three years ago.
But I’ve had other contact with developer Helmut Grossklaus as he has, not once, but twice been saved by the same BRS parachute installed in his aircraft. I collected info about this in my role at BRS. Neither accident was the fault of the equipment but of flying circumstances.
Six Chuter Spirit
Veteran company Six Chuter has led the powered parachute pack since 1991.
With more than 1000 powered parachutes in the air, Six Chuter, Inc. of Yakima, Washington, is one of the leading companies in an increasingly crowded field. However, things haven’t always gone so well for the company. In 1992, Six Chuter nearly went out of business. Down to less than $1000, the company closed a three-unit sale that saved it.
The order signaled the beginning of the powered parachute phenomenon, and Six Chuter has never looked back. Sales hit 112 units in 1994, and they have grown ever since. Six Chuter has seen the industry develop dramatically, and it’s been a major player every step of the way.
When Six Chuter employees attended what they feared might be their last airshow a decade ago, prospects looked bleak. Company owner Dan Bailey recalls: “We were less than well received at the show.
New Aircraft Arrive at Arlington
With 200-foot-tall trees and mountain peaks topped with snow throughout the year, Washington is a scenic place for an airshow. Despite a drought that caused the grass to crunch underfoot, light aviation looked alive and well at the EAA’s Arlington gathering for 2003.
Local Boys Make Good
One main attraction was the much-anticipated RV-10 four-place aircraft that drew big crowds. But a Washington-area group also revealed their efforts of past months. Sport Flight Aviation displayed in the ultralight area with the first of 50 kits in progress. Two completed Talons—the last of the old design—stood alongside a new Typhoon. The new closely resembles the old.
Company owners Todd Thompson and Ron Osborne took pride in showing me extensive CAD-generated drawings printed after a lengthy effort to document the popular northwest design. Each of the men operates a non-aviation business. They teamed up to resuscitate a company left leaderless after the death of its founder, Roger Bitton.
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