Phase 3 Eclipse

Single-seat single-engined high-wing monoplane with conventional three-axis control. Wing has elliptical planform and tapering chord; inverted V-tail. Pitch/yaw control by elevon; roll control by wing warping; control inputs through stick for pitch/roll and pedals for yaw. Cantilever wing; wing profile; double-surface. Undercarriage has three wheels in tricycle formation; suspension on all wheels. Push-right go-right nose-wheel steering connected to yaw control. No brakes. Aluminium-tube framework, without pod. Engine mounted below wing driving pusher propeller.

Conceived by J Bruce Emmons, the Eclipse was one of the new releases at Sun 'n' Fun of March 1983 at Lakeland, Florida. The Eclipse is also the first rigid wing ultralight to use wing warping for roll control (with the possible exception of the British Ladybird, which is not yet in production). With the Eclipse, the accent has been put on flight stability. The strength of the airframe has not been neglected, this ultra-light having been static tested to as much as ± 9 g, more than the requirements for a light aircraft to be classed in the aerobatic category. The wings can be placed parallel with the framework by removing three bolts; de-mounted like that the machine can be transported either on a trailer or a roof rack. All the pieces in the kit are delivered pre-formed, cut and drilled. Sold for $5495 in 1983, the kit thus provided is claimed to need only 30 h for completion.

Engine: KFM 107, 25 hp at 6000 rpm
Propeller diameter and pitch 54x23 inch, 1.37x0.58m
V-belt reduction, ratio 2.0/1
Max static thrust 175 lb, 79 kg
Power per unit area 0.22 hp/sq.ft, 2.4hp/sq.m
Fuel capacity 5.0 US gal, 4.2 Imp gal, 18.9 litre
Length overall 14.0 ft, 4.27 m
Height overall 5.0ft, 1.52m
Wing span 32.2ft, 9.80m
Chord at root 4.0 ft, 1.22 m
Dihedral 0 deg
Tailplane span 8.0 ft, 2.44 m
Total wing area 114 sq.ft, 10.6 sq.m
Wing aspect ratio 9.1/1
Wheel track 4.0 ft, 1.22 m
Wheelbase 6.0 ft, 1.83 m
Nose-wheel diameter overall 11 inch, 27 cm
Main wheels diameter overall 11 inch, 27 cm
Empty weight 165 lb, 75kg
Max take-off weight 465 lb, 211kg
Payload 300 lb, 136kg
Max wing loading 4.071b/sq.ft, 19.9kg/sq.m
Max power loading 18.6 lb/hp, 8.4kg/hp
Load factors +6.0, -6.0 design; +9.0, -9.0 ulti-mate
Max level speed 63 mph, 103kph
Max cruising speed 55 mph. 88kph
Economic cruising speed 50mph. 80kph
Stalling speed 25mph, 40kph
Best glide ratio with power off 15/1 at 35mph. 56kph
Range at average cruising speed 150 mile, 241 km