Super affordability. Super Wonder. “Super?“ — surely, I exaggerate, right? Hmmm, I don’t think so. Let me explain.
In an age where many Light-Sport Aircraft run $150,000, to well… possibly much more, “affordability” becomes something of a tortured word. What might seem affordable to a pilot that can buy a nearly one million dollar Cirrus SR22 is vastly different from what is affordable to most readers of this website. So, how affordable can Aerolite be to warrant my claiming “super affordability?”
Rob Tuttle, following Aerolite on Facebook, posed a similar question, “How much minus delivery?”
U-Fly-It owner Dennis Carley replied, “The normal price for this aircraft, assembled and ready to fly as it is equipped, is $21,680 without the parachute, $25,065 with the chute.” Airshows can bring even better prices but continue with this story for an even more unbelievable value.
Consider this perspective. Automobile companies, building tens or hundreds of thousands of a single model, have an average U.S. selling price of more than $35,000 in 2019. Yet here is an airplane, being built at a tiny fraction of the quantity of any automobile, selling for as little as half the price of the average new car. I find that amazing — and it appears a sufficient number to keep U-Fly-It active and profitable, so much so that the DeLand, Florida company can’t keep up.
A couple years ago, Dennis revived the idea of a kit Aerolite 103. Prices around $18,000 ready-to-fly may still be more than some people want to pay for an aircraft that is like a boat, motorcycle, or ATV — it’s a machine you have fun with and it needs to fit within your family budget.
Today a kit Aerolite can save even more and the build time won’t be long.
How Long to Build?
At recent Oshkosh events, two “One-Week Wonders” were built using a kit from Zenith with power from Rotax or a Van’s RV-12 with another Rotax 9-series engine. These were amazing efforts as this video describes, but Dennis and his Aerolite thinks they can do it quicker — far quicker. Plus, a deal awaits some lucky buyer.
A kit version of Aerolite 103 is prepared for shipment at U-Fly-It’s DeLand, Florida factory.
“We have a ‘super offer’ in conjunction with AirVenture in Oshkosh next month,” announced Dennis in June 2019. “We will be assembling an Aerolite 103 during the show from a Quick Build Kit, and the aircraft is for sale (you can purchase it now, and pick it up at the end of the show or we can deliver it to you on the way back to Florida). If we have not sold it prior to the show, you can buy it at any time while it is being assembled).” Now — get this — a $3,000 Oshkosh discount applies! After he put this on his Facebook page, this “show” airplane will surely sell long before Oshkosh 2019 starts.
Assembly will take place in the Workshop Tent — next to the Red Barn in the Ultralight Area, now known as the Fun Fly Zone — Tuesday through Saturday, during 9-11 AM and 2-4 PM. It will be completed and ready to taxi on Saturday afternoon.
I’ll do the calculation for you. In a mere 20 hours — during “banker’s hours,” some might say — an Aerolite 103 will go from kit to flyable aircraft. Bang! Compare that to the large gang of people who built the Zenith 750 or Van’s RV-12 at Oshkosh (although they were amateurs, not experts).
“The new owner can load it up on Saturday afternoon/evening,” Dennis finished, “or we can deliver it to you. Delivery is free if you are someplace close to our route home (nominal delivery charge if you are not close to our route back to Florida).”
The Oshkosh 2019 Super Wonder Aerolite 103 will be equipped with these options or upgrades:
- Hirth F33 engine
- Electric start
- Lightweight lithium battery
- Culver pProp
- EIS panel
- Hydraulic brakes
- 6-inch wheels and tires
Final selling price: $17,900 (clarifying, that is $3,000 off the standard price of $20,900 for a Ready to Fly model with options listed). See all prices here for Aerolite 103 airframes, engine choices (several), and options.
Is Hirth’s 28-horsepower F33 enough power for bigger pilots, say someone weighing 250 pounds? Dennis answered.
“The F33 is good for Pilots up to about 220 pounds. At 220, the climb rate is about 600 feet per minute, and cruise speed about 55 miles an hour. For 250 pound pilots, we recommend the Hirth F23. We are also testing a couple other engine models currently, both of which should be very viable options for heavier pilots.” In case Hirth’s numbering system may confuse you, F33 is a super light single cylinder engine where F23 is a horizontally opposed twin cylinder model producing 50 horsepower. On this lightweight aircraft, even with a beefier pilot, an F23 Aerolite is going to perform exceedingly well.
Are Aerolite prices enticing for what many consider to be a dandy little airplane? Perhaps the following answer sums it up. When asked by a customer if U-Fly-It has any plans for a two seat model, Dennis’ responded, “We are building so many single seaters that we just don’t have time to make a two-seater. We literally can not build them fast enough.”
I don ‘t know many other companies in all of light aviation that can say that.
Check out our new video of Aerolite 103 in flight.
I need a complete kit of 103. How much is it going to cost me?
By all means, contact the Aerolite 103 factory.
Hello,
I’m a French ultralight pilot renting Savannah and Bingo all year long.
I’m interested in buying my own aircraft , but all metal two seaters are too expensive to my budget.
How does it cost to get a Aerolite 103 kit from factory with and without the engine?
Could you tell me please?
Jessye Mandaroux
Please contact Aerolite 103 directly for such information.
I live in Fairbanks, Alaska. How much or can I even get one here?
I love the Aerolite 103, however, I have a problem with 2-stroke engines. They tend to be temperamental. I wonder if there is a 4 stroke option that could be used for example the Generac engine that Culver Props offered on the Swing wing airplane that they don’t make anymore. What a shame they don’t. I would order one right now if they did. The Backyard flyer. I had a brain burp. I live at an altitude of 6,500 feet and need power to overcome that density altitude especially on hot days.
Ken: Evidently you missed this article about Aerolite with a four stroke. That said, I don’t believe they went forward with this idea. In any event, contacting U-Fly-It is the best way to resolve your inquiry.
Ken, the issue is simply getting a 4-stroke that can meet the weight requirements of Part 103. It can be done…but the underlying airframe has to be VERY light to make it work. I’ve seen a few trikes make 254lbs. with a four stroke. I’ve also seen a few fixed-wing aircraft claim 254lbs. with a 4-stroke. With a very heavy emphasis on the word “claim”. (You basically have to strip darn near everything except a speed gauge, altimeter and a seat out of a Part 103 to fit a 4-stroke, AND add a parachute using a loose (or “ambiguous”) interpretation of Part 103 rules. And even then it’s still iffy.)
Practically speaking a Part 103 engine can’t be much more than 80lbs. all-in. And even that is pushing it. Hummel, Belite, Mini-Max and a few others claim to be able to do this. Again with an emphasis on the word “claim”.
The problem is that finding a 4-stroke under 80lbs. that is both reliable and powerful enough is difficult. Verner used to make a light two-cylinder 4-stroke, but it only pushed out 35hp max and about 23hp continuous. Verner also made a three-cylinder radial that looked promising with 42hp and loads of torque. But it weighed 81lbs. Verner no longer makes either engine.
Of course there are plenty of VW conversions, but here too weight becomes an issue. And there have been several Generac/Briggs & Stratton 4-stroke conversions. These generally either weigh too much or aren’t powerful enough (or both). Finally, the Swissauto 250 is a newer 4-stroke entry that looks good. But alas…it taps in around 80lbs. too.
You’d need a <70lb. 4-stroke (all-in weight) that puts out a MINIMUM of 28hp continuous to be viable in the Part 103 space. And personally I just don't know of any such engine.
For now, some of the newer 2-strokes (like the Polini 250) are actually pretty reliable if installed and maintained properly. And that's the rub…no matter how you slice it, 2-strokes used in aircraft will always need more maintenance and attention than any 4-strokes. And even then 2-strokes are still prone to "giving up the ghost" with little to no warning. But every pilot flying a 2-stroke knows that and flies accordingly, right? Right??? 😉
(BTW, you should say a prayer that the Backyard Flyer is no longer produced. It was one of a few Part 103 aircraft with certain engineering elements that were, uh, "questionable". Specifically the spar-less wing that was truss welded from aluminum (!) and the landing gear.)
Believe it or not you can buy a $90 Predator 212 from Harbor Freight, a $500 stage 4 kit from any number of go kart racing sites and have a 4 stroke putting out 40-45 hp at the crank the weights 50lbs dry. There is an old fella on YouTube who has a LazAire that flys with 2 of them built up with to stage 2. (18-22hp a piece.) I believe his last name is Harrison if I’m not mistaken and he also plays Bluegrass music.
The only issue as far as using one of these in an aircraft would be that they achieve those up numbers by turning a LOT of RPM! Stage 4 they turn 10-12k all day. You’d need a good redrive to swing a prop with that and it would probably run you as much as the motor but you’re still only in $1,400 ish at that point.
Is international shipping available?
Yasin: I am sure you can order from overseas. U-Fly-It has a dealer in Germany for some years. Please contact Aerolite 103 producer U-Fly-It for shipping info.
Is there an option for a folding wing?
Hi Gil: No such option exists now but ask the company, U-Fly-It.
???
Love this ultralight hope to buy one next year!
Can the Aerolite 103 still make the weight limit for 103 with the F23 engine?
I would consider one, but live on the Treasure Coast in Florida and have no ultralight fields in the Port St. Lucie area that I am aware of.
Hi! I’m thinking about getting an Aerolite 103, but have several issues. I have heard there is a LONG wait period to get a pre-build one …like 6 months or more. Second, I weigh 270 pounds so I know that the Hirth 23 is probably the engine to go with. I own a powered parachute with one it it runs very well. Third, I have no experience with a pusher prop ultralight. I have owned a Skyranger and an Aeronca Chief but don’t know of anyone around here (central Maine) who owns an Aerolite 103 or where I can get cross-training in anything that will hold me and most any CFI, unless they are VERY small, like 175 or so pounds in a Challenger II. I was very interested in a Challenger II for sale in my area but found that, again, I’m too heavy for it with any CFI I can find so we would not be overweight. I’m 71 and not sure how many more years I can fly. I am a Private flying as Sport Pilot. I’d like to get flying again my June in SOMETHING! I’m trying to find a 103 in my area to look at in person, but no luck so far. Thanks! George Dean
Hi George: Yes, Aerolite 103 producer U-Fly-It has been exceptionally busy for the last few years. They added kits as a way to help keep up but their business is extremely solid. Please contact them using the link here to ask about delivery times. ••• Regarding the training side, they may also have help and I will be writing about this in the future. Some options are available but it is very likely you may have to travel to get instruction. Unlike a gas station on every corner, instructors for ultralight aircraft are more rare. Keep following this website for more
Do you sell the kit without the engine and if so what is the price? Approximate shipping cost to Memphis, Tennessee?
Hi Ken: U-Fly-It does offer a kit and I believe they will do so without an engine. Please ask U-Fly-It directly.
to remove the wing for transport does the hole tail assemboly have to come off ?
Hi Gregory: Please direct your question to U-Fly-It. All them some time to respond as they are very busy building more Aerolite 103s.
Dan… What is the safety and performance record of the Aerolite 103?
From your experience, is it dependable and solidly built?
Thank you!
Hi Jonathan: From my (limited) experience in Aerolite 103 and from what I know of its long history, I feel it is highly dependable and solidly built. Of course, any used aircraft may need additional maintenance and a homebuilt model (some Aerolite 103s are so constructed) may have deficiencies. However, on whole, I think this is a highly reliable aircraft.
Put me on your mailing list.
Hi Shane: Presumably you want to be on U-Fly-It‘s mailing list, so please go direct to them (use the <— link). If you want to be on the ByDanJohnson.com mailing list, register here.
How can I be involved with this one week build? I helped with the RV 12 last year.
Thanks
Hi Hollis: I did not know the answer so I reached our directly to U-Fly-It boss, Dennis Carley.
He replied, “We contemplated this (having others help) but ultimately decided to allow people to view, but not participate.”
“The two primary reasons,” Dennis continued, “were EAA’s request for us to provide liability insurance for anyone providing hands-on assistance (which I doubt is even available, and our hangar policy does not extend to third-party locations), and our desire to keep the build on track given the fairly small number of hours available in the Workshop Tent from Tuesday to Saturday.”
However, you can certainly go observe and discuss the build effort with U-Fly-It’s staff.
How much for the kit? I weigh 260.
Please use links in the article — or this one — to inquire directly with the factory for pricing.
Nice little ultralight! One thought and one question:
1. I’ve always thought the Aerolite 103 would be fantastic with either one of the 29HP or 36.5HP Polini engines. Seems like either of those engines would make weight just fine and provide a nice, more modern upgrade to the Hirth F33. As far as 2-strokes go, I have yet to see any that run as smooth as the Polinis.
2. I know that to certify this aircraft in Europe (as the Aerolite 120), some engineering changes were required. Does Aerolite in the U.S. have plans to implement any of those changes to its U.S. aircraft? Or is the thought that such engineering improvements really aren’t necessary? Would be great if Dennis could comment on this.
Thanks!
Hi Steve.
The Polini Thor will work well on the Aerolite. Our distributor in Europe uses the Thor 250 on some of their Aerolites, and the performance is adequate. We do not currently offer the Thor 250 as an engine option from our factory here in the U.S., (since we have the F33 available, and the performance is about the same) but we can certainly install or provide the Polini if that is your engine of choice.
The few changes to the Aerolite in conjunction with certification in Europe are not anything that we deemed necessary to change on the U.S. models.
Is there a conventional gear kit available?
Hi Robert: I believe the answer is no, but please contact U-Fly-It for the authoritative response.
No conventional gear option.
Dan,
You wrote here in the article that the “Hirth F23 produces 40hp” it actually produces 50hp. I own one and I assure you it does.
-Jeff
Hi Jeff: Thanks for catching the error. You are right, of course, and it is now fixed.