Aero-Works Aerolite 103
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
Top
Aero-Works Aerolite 103
| Aero-Works Aerolite 103 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| An Aerolite 103 at Oshkosh 2001 | |
| Role | Ultralight aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Aero-Works Inc. |
| First flight | October 1996[1] |
| Introduction | 1997 |
| Number built | 150 (December 2004)[2] |
The Aero-Works Aerolite 103 is an American single seat, high-wing, pusher configuration ultralight aircraft that was introduced by Aero-Works, Inc, of Millersburg, Ohio in 1997. The aircraft's model number indicates that it was designed to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration FAR 103 ultralight rules.[1][3][4][5]
|
Contents
|
Development
The aircraft was designed to meet the requirements of FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles, including maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight.[3][5]
The company reports that builder-achieved empty weights vary from 252 lb (114 kg) to 300 lb (136 kg), with 275 lb (125 kg) being typical.[6] To remain under the FAR 103 empty weight requires the use of a light-weight engine, such as the 35 hp (26 kW) 2si 460-F35.[2]
Design
The Aerolite 103 features a high wing with half-span flaps that are extended by use of an overhead bellcrank to a maximum of 40 degrees. The flight controls are three-axis and are actuated by a wheel mounted on a control column via flexible push-pull cables and conventional rudder pedals connected to the rudder by cables. The engine throttle is a twist-grip type and incorporates a brake lever to operate the non-differential mechanical drum brakes installed on the main wheels of the tricycle landing gear.[3][5]
The aircraft has conventional nose wheel steering connected to the rudder pedals. The main landing gear utilizes sprung-tubes for suspension and absorbing landing loads. There is a fourth small caster-wheel under the tail, because when the pilot's seat is unoccupied the aircraft rests on its tail, due to the aircraft's empty center of gravity.[3]
The Aerolite 103 is sold as an assembly kit aircraft. The kit includes an illustrated assembly manual and pre-built fuselage, wings, control surfaces, jury struts and struts. The wings are covered by the builder with pre-sewn Dacron envelopes. The company estimates the time to complete the airframe at 60–80 hours. The kit does not include powerplant, propeller or instruments.[7]
When the aircraft was first introduced the standard engine was the 35 hp (26 kW) 2si 460-F35, with the 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 optional .[3] In 2009 the standard recommended engine was the Rotax 447, with the 46 hp (34 kW) Rotax 503 single carburettor engine optional.[5][8]
Aerobatics and spins are prohibited.[6]
Operational history
Since its introduction the Aerolite 103 has won many awards, including:[4]
- AirVenture 1997 - Grand Champion Ultralight
- Sun 'n Fun 1998 - Best Commercial Design
- AirVenture 1998 - Reserve Grand Champion Ultralight
- Sun 'n Fun 1999 - Grand Champion Ultralight
- AirVenture 1999 - Grand Champion Ultralight
In December 2004 the company reported that 150 aircraft were flying, the majority as US unregistered ultralights. In July 2009 there were 12 Aerolite 103s registered as experimental amateur-builts in the USA.[2][9]
Specifications (Aerolite 103 with Rotax 447)
Data from Aerolite 103 website[6] & KitPlanes[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: no passengers
- Length: 17 ft (5.19 m)
- Wingspan: 26 ft 10 in (8.18 m)
- Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
- Wing area: 124 sq ft (11.54 sq m)
- Empty weight: 275 lb (125 kg)
- Useful load: 325 lb (147 kg)
- Max. takeoff weight: 600 lb (272 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 447 fixed pitch, 40 hp (30 kW)
- Propellers: 1 propeller, 1 per engine
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 75 mph (122 km/h)
- Maximum speed: 70 mph (113 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 63 mph (102 km/h)
- Stall speed: 35 mph (57 km/h)
- Range: 120 statute miles (194 km)
- Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
- Wing loading: 4.83 lb/sq ft (23.6 kg/sq m)
- Power/mass: 15 lb/hp (0.11 kW/kg)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Avid Champion
- Beaujon Enduro
- Birdman Chinook
- Chotia Gypsy
- Fisher FP-202 Koala
- Fisher FP-606 Sky Baby
- ISON Airbike
- Spectrum Beaver
References
- ^ a b c Kitplanes Staff: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 34. Primedia Publications. IPM 0462012
- ^ a b c Downie, Julia: Kit Aircraft Directory 2005, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 44. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ a b c d e Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-2. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- ^ a b Aero-Works (undated). "Aerolite 103". http://www.aerolite103.com/. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
- ^ a b c d Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 16. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ a b c Aero-Works (undated). "Aerolite 103 Specifications". http://www.aerolite103.com/web2004/Aerolite103%20Specifications.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
- ^ Aero-Works (undated). "Aerolite 103 Kwik Kit". http://www.aerolite103.com/web2004/kit04.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
- ^ Aero-Works (undated). "Aerolite 103 Recommended Engines". http://www.aerolite103.com/web2004/Recommended%20Engines%2004.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (July 2009). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/acftinqSQL.asp?striptxt=Aerolite103&mfrtxt=&cmndfind.x=19&cmndfind.y=19&cmndfind=submit&modeltxt=Aerolite+103. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aero-Works Aerolite 103 |
|
||||||||||||||
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:
Copyrights:
Wikipedia on Answers.com
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Aero-Works Aerolite 103.
Read more