Nostalgair N3 Pup / Ultra Pup / Stinger / Super Pup

Bob Counts developed the single-seat N-3 Pup in the mid-’80s as what might be termed the third generation of ultralights. The Pup was among the first ultralights to resemble a general aviation aircraft, the Piper J-3 Cub in this case. Like several innovative ultralights, the N-3 Pup won a Best New Design award at its first Sun ’n Fun appearance.

The original N-3 Pup being a ¾ scale Super Cub replica. Centre mounted joy stick, rudder pedals, tailwheel steerable through rudder pedals. The N3 Pup has a welded chromemoly steel fuselage and a two-cylinder horizontally-opposed Global engine to add to its air of authenticity. By 1995 marketed as the Preceptor Aircraft Corp Pup from 1230 Shepard St, Hendersonville, NC 28792, USA.

The N-3 Pup can be ordered with folding wings. In less than ten minutes you can fold your wings and take your pup home with you, or unfold them and go flying. The N-3 Pup is a real joy to fly with easy, docile handling. The N-3 Pup built as a bare minimum plane will meet the FAR 103 requirement.

The N-3 Pup was followed by Counts’ larger, souped up version of the N-3, the Super Pup. Empty weight (450 pounds) and flight speeds take it out of the ultralight category. The Super Pup has folding wings,  short takeoff and landings and a reliable 4 stroke engine. Wing sub-kits come with ailerons, all hardware, brackets, fittings, fuel tanks, ribs, skins, spars and lift struts.  No fabric.

Fuselage sub-kits come with stabilizers, elevators, rudder, landing gear, seat cusions, control systems, all glass, blank instrument panel, wheels and brakes, tailwheel, stringer formers, shock struts, brackets, fittings, firewall and all hardware and necessary accessories.  No fabric.

Firewall forward package comes with engine, exhaust stacks, intake manifolds, carb heat, engine mount, prop, carburetor and hardware Engine prices will vary depending on model, Horsepower and electrical option.


The two place Ultra Pup features folding wings, roomier cabin, and electric starting, which all called for a redesigned fuselage. The CG was shifted to accommodate the extra weight up front. Instead of adding weight in the tail, they used heaver-gauge tubing at strategic locations. Thus, we achieved the desired CG shift by adding strength, not just dead weight. Building smarter safer aircraft for all to enjoy has always been the "Preceptor Way".

Wing sub-kits come with ailerons, all hardware, brackets, fittings, fuel tanks, ribs, skins, spars and lift struts. No fabric.

Fuselage sub-kits come with stabilizers, elevators, rudder, landing gear, seats cusions, control systems, all glass, blank instrument panel, wheels and brakes, tailwheel, stringer formers, shock struts, brackets, fittings, firewall, all hardware and necessary accessories.  No fabric.
Firewall forward package comes with engine, exhaust stacks, intake manifolds, carb heat, engine mount, prop, carburetor and hardware. Engine prices will vary depending on model, Horsepower and electrical option.

The LSA Stinger uses the same fuselage as the N-3 with front fuselage wider, cabin structure deleted and combing added. The (1995) US$6700.00 kitset came complete with paint and ready to assemble. Skis and floats are optional. Preceptor has taken the same fuselage as used on the time proven N-3 Pup, made the front of the fuselage wider, left off the cabin structure, added a combing and have come up with one of the cutest and nicest flying little open cockpit parasols going. The Stinger brings back the joy of owning and flying an open cockpit airplane that has performance that will keep you smiling. A real beauty that looks and feels like an antique racer of the good old days.

Initially produced by Nostalgair, N-3 kits were subsequently made by Mosler Motors, which eventually sold kit production rights back to Counts. A company named TEC took over engine production from Mosler, but it quit making engines in 1991. At that point, Preceptor began assembling VW-based engines of various strengths. The 70-hp version remains the recommended engine for the Super Pup. Wing and fuselage kits may be bought separately, but one can save $1400 if they’re purchased together. A firewall-forward package for $7600 is for the 70-hp Preceptor VW-based engine that claims a 1400-fpm climb rate. Bob Counts’ son Duwayne runs Preceptor Aircraft by 1995, marketing the Cubs.

N-3 Pup
Engine: Global (920cc) 25hp
Empty wt: 248 lbs
Wing span: 30’
Wing area: 123 sq.ft
Height: 5’
Length: 16’6”
Fuel cap: 5 USG
Construction: Aluminium, Wood, Steel
Max wt: 535 lbs
Stall speed: 27 mph
Max speed: 63 mph
Vne: 95 mph
Climb rate: 600 fpm @ 45 mph
Design limit: +6, -3g
Glide ratio: 12-1
Wing loading: 4.35 lbs/sq.ft
Power loading: 21.4 lbs/hp.

N-3 Pup
Engine: TEC, 40 hp
Speed max: 63 mph
Cruise: 60 mph
Range: 150 sm
Stall: 27 mph
ROC: 500 fpm
Take-off dist: 150 ft
Landing dist: 150 ft
Service ceiling: 10,000 ft
HP range: 40-75
Fuel cap: 5 USG
Weight empty: 250 lbs
Gross: 650 lbs
Height: 5 ft
Length: 16.5 ft
Wing span: 30.5 ft
Wing area: 120 sq.ft
Seats: 1
Landing gear: tail wheel

N3 Pup
Engine: 1037 cc Hummel Half VW, 37 HP
Horsepower: 37-50
Propeller: 54 x 22
Overall Length: 16 ft 6 in
Height: 5 ft
Wingspan: 30 ft 6 in
Wing Area: 120 sq.ft
Wing Loading: 3.76 lb.sq.ft
Empty Weight: 254 lb
Gross Weight: 535 lb
Useful Load: 281 lb
Fuel Capacity: 5 USGallons
Best Speed: 63 mph
Cruise Speed: 60 mph
Stall Speed @ Gross w/Full Flaps: 27 mph
Service Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Takeoff Distance: 150 ft
Landing Distance: 150 ft
Rate of Climb (gross): 600 fpm
Fuel burn: 1.8 USgph
Ultimate "G" Loading: +10.0 - 3.0
Cabin Width: 22.75 in
Seats: 1
Landing Gear: FG (Tailwheel)
Complete Kit Cost (2009): US$ 11,700
Less engine, instruments, fabric, prop

Stinger
Engine: TEC 4 stroke, 50 hp
HP range: 35-60
Speed max: 90 mph
Cruise: 80 mph
Stall: 27 mph
Take-off dist: 100 ft
Landing dist: 150 ft
Fuel cap: 10 USG
Weight empty: 350 lbs
Gross: 650 lbs
Height: 5 ft
Length: 17 ft
Wing span: 30.5 ft
Wing area: 122 sq.ft
Seats: 1
Landing gear: tail wheel
Cockpit width: 22.75 in

Stinger
Engine: 1600 cc VW, 50 HP
Propeller: 58 x 28
Overall Length: 17 ft 3 in
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Wingspan: 30 ft 6 in
Wing Area: 120 sq.ft
Wing Loading: 4 lb/sq.ft
Empty Weight: 400 lb
Gross Weight: 660 lb
Useful Load: 260 lb
Fuel Capacity: 10 USGallons (Option for 14 USGallons)
Best Speed: 90 mph
Cruise Speed: 80 mph
Stall Speed @ Gross w/Full Flaps: 35 mph
Service Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Takeoff Distance: 300 ft
Landing Distance: 300 ft
Rate of Climb (gross): 1000 fpm
Fuel burn: 3.5 USGallons Per Hour
Cabin Width: 22.75 in
Ultimate "G" Loading: +5.0 - 3.0
Landing Gear: FG (Tailwheel)
Seats: 1

Super Pup
Engine: VW, 50 hp
HP range: 50-75
Speed max: 115 mph
Cruise: 95 mph
Range: 300 sm
Stall: 35 mph
ROC: 1500 fpm
Take-off dist: 150 ft
Landing dist: 150 ft
Service ceiling: 12,000 ft
Fuel cap: 12 USG
Weight empty: 350 lbs
Gross: 1000 lbs
Height: 5.5 ft
Length: 17.25 ft
Wing span: 30.5 ft
Wing area: 122 sq.ft
Seats: 1
Landing gear: tail wheel

Super Pup
Engine: 2180 cc VW Conversion 70 HP
Horsepower: 50 - 80
Propeller: 62 x 28
Overall Length: 17 ft 3 in
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Wingspan: 30 ft 6 in
Wing Area: 120 sq.ft
Wing Loading: 6.99 lb/sq.ft
Empty Weight: 450 lb
Gross Weight: 1100 lb
Useful Weight: 650 lb
Fuel Capacity:14 + USGallons
Best Speed: 110 mph
Cruise Speed: 90 mph
Stall Speed @ Gross w/Full Flaps: 35 mph
Service Ceiling: 12,000 ft
Takeoff Distance: 300 ft
Landing Distance: 300 ft
Rate of Climb (gross): 1400 fpm
Maximum Range Fuel Burns: 4.0 USgph
Landing Gear: FG (Tailwheel)
Seats: 1
Cabin Width: 22.75 in
Ultimate "G" Loading: +6.0 - 3.0
Complete Kit Cost (2009): US$ 15,900
Less engine, instruments, fabric, prop

Ultra Pup
Engine: TEC 4 stroke, 60 hp
HP range: 60-80
Speed max: 115 mph
Cruise: 90 mph
Range: 390 sm
Stall: 37 mph
ROC: 1500 fpm
Take-off dist: 200 ft
Landing dist: 200 ft
Service ceiling: 12,000 ft.
Fuel cap: 14 USG
Weight empty: 450 lbs
Gross: 1000 lbs
Height: 5.5 ft
Length: 17.25 ft
Wing span: 30.5 ft
Wing area: 120 sq.ft
Seats: 2
Landing gear: tail wheel.

Ultra Pup
Engine: 2180 cc VW Conversion
Propeller: 62 x 28
Horsepower: 60 - 80
Overall Length: 17 ft 3 in
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Wingspan: 30 ft 6 in
Wing Area: 120 sq.ft
Wing Loading: 6.99 lb/sq.ft
Empty Weight: 450 lb
Gross Weight: 1100 lb
Useful Weight: 650 lb
Fuel Capacity: 14 + USGallons  
Top Speed: 115 mph
Cruise Speed (75% power): 80 mph
Stall Speed @ Gross w/Full Flaps: 35 mph
Service Ceiling: 12,000 ft
Takeoff Distance: 300 ft
Landing Distance: 300 ft
Rate of Climb (gross): 1400 fpm
Maximun Range: Up to 350 Miles
Cabin Width: 24.75 in
Ultimate "G" Loading: +6.0 - 3.0
Landing Gear: FG (Tailwheel)
Seats: 2 - Tandem
Complete Kit Cost (2009): US$ 17,295
Less engine, instruments, fabric, prop