This clipped wing, single-engine monoplane has kingpost and cable braced wings and a cruciform tail. Conventional three-axis controls have stick-activated ailerons and elevator, and rudder pedals. POWERPLANT: Twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled Kawasaki 440 with 2.4 reduction is mounted in the center below the wing. Drive shaft runs pusher prop of 50-inch hardwood. LANDING GEAR: Tricycle gear has 16-inch main wheels, wheel pants, a steerable nosewheel and disc brakes. Gear has adjustable torsion bar suspension.
Ultralite Soaring was founded by Bruce Gray, who began his activities in ultralight aviation by building undercarriages for Quicksilver hang gliders. In 1983, this company offers a full range of machines which share the name Wizard and all are of similar configuration and technology. This variation on a theme allows the aircraft to be modified to suit the requirements of the owner. The range begins with the basic model, the weight shift Wizard W4 (often known as Wizard I), and encompasses next the hybrid control Wizard J 2, then the three axis Wizard J 3, fourthly the Sky Tractor agricultural aircraft and finally the Wizard T 38 two seater, all the others being solo machines. All machines of types W 1, J 2 and J 3 can be fitted with a variety of engines, principally Yamaha, Rotax or Kawasaki, though there are also some Zenoah and Lloyd engined aircraft around. Ultralite Soaring tends to give the aircraft title a suffix to indicate the engine used, so that for example a Wizard W 1 with Yamaha engine becomes a W 1Y, while a Kawasaki engined J 3 is dubbed Wizard J 3K. The standard engine mounts suit various power packs and engine changes can be made in under 5 min, using complete assemblies as sold by the company, which include propeller, reduction drive, fuel tank and (where applicable) electric start and battery.
1983: Ultralite Soaring (US) Inc, 3411 NE 6th Terrace, Pompano Beach, Florida 33064, USA.
The Storm Buggy/ Flexiform Sky Sails Medium striker is a weight shift single seat/side by side two seat single engined flex wing aircraft with weight shift control. Rogallo Wing with keel pocket. Pilot suspended below wing in trike unit, using bar to control pitch and yaw/roll by altering relative positions of trike unit and wing. Wing braced from above by kingpost and cables, from below by cables; bowsprit construction with >70% double surface; pre formed ribs. Undercarriage has three wheels in tricycle formation; no suspension on any wheels. Push right go left nosewheel steering independent from yaw control. No brakes. Alumi-nium tube trike unit, with optional pod. Engine mounted below wing driving pusher propeller.
Courtesy Crispin Wrigley
Nick Wrigley’s UAS com¬pany was one of the pioneers of triking in Britain and produced the first ever two seat trike unit, which it showed at the Welles¬bourne fly in in 1980. He called it the Storm Buggy after the Solar Wings Storm wing to which it was mated, and fitted it with a 400 cc Solo engine, direct drive and side by side seating. Nick converted the Storm Buggy to single seat configuration and used it for various sporting events until 1981, when serious production of single seaters began, using initially the 340 Sachs engine, toothed ¬belt reduction, and his own newly developed three bladed nylon propeller. Although still called Storm Buggy, this model was suitable for a wide variety of Rogallos and by 1982 was usually found with a Flexiform Sky Sails Medium Striker wing. Storm Buggys were later produced with Robin EC44 engines and in addition some two seaters found their way out of Nick’s workshop, using Flexiform’s Dual Striker wing.
UAS ceased trike production at the end of 1982 to concentrate on propeller design.
Storm Buggy / Medium Striker
Single seat Engine: Sachs 340R, 28 hp at 6000 rpm Propeller diameter and pitch 47 x 28 inch, 1.19 x 0.71 m (three blade) Toothed belt reduction, ratio 2.1/1 Max static thrust 200 lb, 91 kg Power per unit area 0.14hp/sq.ft, 1.8 hp/sq.m Fuel capacity 1.3 US gal, 1.1 Imp gal, 5.0 litre Length overall 11.0 ft, 3.35m Wing span 34.5ft, 10.52m Sweepback 15 deg Total wing area 200 sq.ft, 18.6 sq.m Wing aspect ratio 7.5/1 Wheel track 4.6 ft, 1.30 m Wheelbase 5.1 ft, 1.55 m Nosewheel diameter overall 13 inch, 33 cm Main wheels diameter overall 13 inch, 33cm Empty weight 200 lb, 91kg Max take off weight 378 lb, 171kg Payload 178 lb, 81kg Max wing loading 1.89 lb/sq.ft, 9.2 kg/sq.m Max pow¬er loading 13.5 lb/hp, 6.1 kg/hp Max level speed 50mph, 80kph Economic cruising speed 40mph, 64kph Max climb rate at sea level 700ft/min, 3.6m/s Take off distance 100ft, 30 m Landing distance 150 ft, 45 m Range at average cruising speed 50 mile, 80 km
Designed by John Dempsey, the Phantom is a single seat single engined high wing monoplane with conventional three axis control. Wing has unswept leading and trailing edges, and constant chord; cruciform tail. Pitch control by elevator on tail; yaw control by fin mounted rudder; roll control by full span ailerons; control inputs through stick for pitch/roll and pedals for yaw. Wing braced from above by kingpost and cables, from below by cables; wing profile; double surface. Undercarriage has three wheels in tricycle formation with tailskid; bungee suspension on all wheels. Push right go right nosewheel steering connected to yaw control. Optional brakes on main wheels. Aluminium tube framework, with pod. Engine mounted above wing driving tractor propeller.
Conceived under the direction of John Dempsey, the Phantom copied in 1982 the exploits of the Mirage in the previous year at Sun ‘n’ Fun where it carried off the prize for the most outstanding aircraft.
The Phantom is capable of a rate of roll, going from 45 degrees bank to 45 degrees bank the other way in 1.5 s. The wing has been tested as far as + 9.9 and 6.6 g ultimate with the aircraft at a gross of 420 lb (190kg) which would give a flight envelope of +6.6 and 4.4g. These tests were done with 3/32 inch (2.4 mm) cables which on the production aircraft have been increased to 1/8 inch (3.2 mm).
The aircraft is delivered as a kit requiring 35 h for finishing at a price of $5995 in 1983. Options include principally, floats, wheel fairings, an instrument panel and, as with the Mirage MkII, the Cuyuna 430RL engine, since the Phantom is fitted with the Kawasaki TA440A as standard in the United States.
For Europe, the Skyriders company in Britain fits a Robin engine and a larger fuel tank and, since the aircraft thus modified has different performance characteristics etc.
Later marketed as the Phantom Sport Airplane Corp Phantom X1 and X2. The X2 being a two seat adaptation of the X1.
Phantom Engine: Kawasaki TA440A, 38.5hp at 6000rpm Propeller diameter and pitch 58×27 inch, 1.47×0.69m V belt reduction, ratio 2.4/1 Max static thrust 210 lb, 95 kg Power per unit area 0.27 hp/sq.ft, 2.9 hp/sq.m Fuel capacity 3.7 US gal, 3.1 Imp gal, 14.0 litre Length overall 16.5 ft, 5.02 m Height overall 8.8ft, 2.69m Wing span 28.5ft, 8.68m Constant chord 5.0 ft, 1.52m Dihedral 2 deg Sweepback 0 deg Tailplane span 7.9 ft, 2.40 m Fin height 5.0ft, 1.52m Total wing area 142 sq.ft, 13.2 sq.m Total aileron area 19.8 sq.ft, 1.84 sq.m Fin area 5.8 sq.ft, 0.54 sq.m Rudder area 8.6 sq.ft, 0.80 sq.m Tailplane area 11.8 sq.ft, 1.10 sq.m Total elevator area 9.8 sq.ft, 0.91 sq.m Wing aspect ratio 5.7/1 Wheel track 3.4 ft, 1.05m Wheelbase 3.7ft, 1.14m Nosewheel diameter overall 10 inch, 25 cm Main wheels diameter overall 10 inch, 25 cm Empty weight 250 lb, 113kg Max take off weight 510 lb, 231kg Payload 260 lb, 118kg Max wing loading 3.59 lb/sq.ft, 17.5 kg/sq.m Max power loading 13.8 lb/hp, 6.0kg/hp Load factors +6.6, 4.4 design; >+9.9, > 6.6 ultimate Max level speed 61 mph, 98 kph Never exceed speed 100 mph, 161 kph Max cruising speed 50 mph, 80 kph Economic cruising speed 40 mph, 64 kph Stalling speed 26 mph, 42 kph Max climb rate at sea level 800 ft/min, 4.1 m/s Min sink rate 490 ft/min at 35 mph, 2.5 m/s at 56 kph Best glide ratio with power off 7/1 at 38 mph, 61 kph Take off distance 100 ft, 30 m Land¬ing distance 100ft, 30m Service ceiling 14,500 ft, 4420 m Range at average cruising speed 130 mile, 209 km
X1 Speed max: 61 mph Cruise: 55 mph Stall: 26 mph ROC: 800 fpm Take-off dist: 100 ft Landing dist: 150 ft Service ceiling: 14,500 ft Engine: Rotax 447, 40 hp HP range: 40-70 Fuel cap: 5 USG Weight empty: 250 lbs Gross: 510 lbs Height: 8.17 ft Length: 16.75 ft Wing span: 28.5 ft Wing area: 142 sq.ft Seats: 1 Landing gear: nose wheel Cruise on 40hp: 65 mph
Phantom Aircraft Phantom XI Engine: Rotax 447, 40 hp HP range: 40-70 Top speed: 61 mph Cruise: 55 mph Stall: 26 mph Rate of climb: 800 fpm Takeoff dist: 100 ft Landing dist: 150 ft Service ceiling: 14,500 ft Fuel capacity: 5 USG Empty weight: 250 lb Gross weight: 510 lb Height: 8.2 ft Length: 16.8 ft Wing span: 28.5 ft Wing area: 142 sq.ft Seats: 1 Landing gear: nosewheel
X2 Speed max: 75 mph Cruise: 68 mph Range: 175 sm Stall: 30 mph ROC: 650 fpm Take-off dist: 265 ft Landing dist: 300 ft Service ceiling: 14,500 ft Engine: Rotax 503DC, 55 hp HP range: 53-100 Fuel cap: 10 USG Weight empty: 475 lbs Gross: 975 lbs Height: 8.42 ft Length: 17 ft Wing span: 30 ft Wing area: 160 sq.ft Seats: 2 Landing gear: nose wheel
Phantom Aircraft Phantom X2 Engine: Rotax 503 DC, 52 hp HP range: 53-100 Top speed: 75 mph Cruise: 68 mph Stall: 30 mph Range: 175 sm Rate of climb: 650 fpm Takeoff dist: 265 ft Landing dist: 300 ft Service ceiling: 14,500 ft Fuel capacity: 10 USG Empty weight: 950 lb Gross weight: 425 lb Height: 8.4 ft Length: 17 ft Wing span: 30 ft Wing area: 160 sq.ft Seats: 2 Landing gear: nosewheel
Designed by John Dempsey, the Mirage is another microlight, which holds the distinction of having been an outstanding new design at Oshkosh. Similar in appearance to the Quicksilver, it has a wing with both upper and lower surfaces. Three-axis controls and double-surface wings with droop tips, which are kingpost and cable braced. POWERPLANT: Two-cylinder Cuyuna has 2.0 reduction and is mounted in front below the wing. Drive shaft runs 58×27-inch pusher prop. LANDING GEAR: Tricycle gear has tail skid and 10-inch wheels.
The Ultralight Flight Mirage Mk.II is a single seat single engined high wing monoplane with conventional three axis control. Wing has unswept leading and trailing edges, and constant chord; cruciform tail. Pitch control by elevator on tail; yaw control by fin mounted rudder; roll control by spoilers; control inputs through stick for pitch/roll and pedals for yaw. Wing braced from above by kingpost and cables, from below by cables; wing profile; double surface. Undercarrige has three wheels in tricycle formation, with additional tailskid; suspension on nosewheel and bungee suspension on main wheels. No ground steering (Optional: Push right go right nosewheel steering connected to yaw control). No brakes. Aluminium tube framework, with optional pod. Engine mounted above wing driving tractor propeller. Only certified aircraft grade materials and fittings.
Inspired by the Humbug from Klaus Hill and with a very similar structure to the Vector 600 (on which Franklyn J Riley of Ultralight Flight worked) the Mirage has enjoyed considerable success since its first public presentation at Sun ‘n’ Fun in 1981 at Lakeland, Florida, where it won the prize for the most outstanding design.
The first Mirage was fitted with two Yamaha KT100S engines of 15 hp each, with their belts forming an inverse V to drive a single twin blade propeller. The aircraft was next fitted as standard with a Cuyuna 430R 30 hp engine, which was replaced on the Mirage MkII, appearing in 1982, by the Kawasaki TA440 of 38.5hp, the Cuyuna 430RL becoming an option. On the MkII, the reduction drive connects to an enclosed drive shaft and the cable controls for the elevators are replaced by Teleflex. Ultralight Flight insists that Mirage uses only certified aircraft grade materials and fittings.
September 1982
The MkII was sold as a kit requiring 40 h for completion, according to Ultralight Flight, at a price of $4795 in 1983. The options include principally, an instrument panel, floats (Sealord $1095, Spaulding $1295), wheel fairings $117, steerable nosewheel $165, and a pod.
Mk.II Engine: Kawasaki TA440A engine Max power 35 hp at 5600 rpm Prop¬eller diameter and pitch 58 x 27 inch, 1.47×0.69m V belt reduction, ratio 2.0/1 Max static thrust 215 lb, 98 kg Power per unit area 0.24 hp/sq.ft, 2.6hp/sq.m Fuel capacity 4.0 US gal, 3.3 Imp gal, 15.1 litre Length overall 19.5 ft, 5.94 m Height overall 8.6ft, 2.61m Wing span 32.0ft, 9.75m Constant chord 4.5ft, 1.37m Dihedral 8 deg Sweepback 0 deg Tailplane span 8.0ft, 2.44 m Fin height 4.7ft, 1.43m Total wing area 144 sq.ft, 13.4 sq.m Total spoiler area 2.3 sq.ft, 0.21 sq.m Fin area 4.1 sq.ft, 0.38 sq.m Rudder area 9.5 sq.ft, 0.88 sq.m Tailplane area 11.7 sq.ft, 1.09 sq.m Total elevator area 11.7 sq.ft, 1.09 sq.m Wing aspect ratio 7.1/1 Wheel track 4.0ft, 1.22m Wheelbase 5.6ft, 1.70m Nosewheel diameter overall 10 inch, 25 cm Main wheels diameter overall 10 inch, 25 cm Empty weight 246 lb, 112kg Max take off weight 500 lb, 227 kg Payload 254 lb, 115 kg Max wing loading 3.47 lb/sq.ft, 16.9 kg/sq.m Max power loading 14.3 lb/hp, 6.5 kg/hp Load factors; +5.6, 2.8 ultimate Max level speed 65 mph, 105 kph Never exceed speed 70 mph, 113 kph Max cruising speed 50 mph, 80 kph Economic cruising speed 45 mph, 72 kph Stalling speed 25 mph, 40 kph Max climb rate at sea level 1000 ft/min, 5.1 m/s Min sink rate 430 ft/min at 29 mph, 2.2 m/s at 46 kph Best glide ratio with power off 8/1 at 26 mph, 42kph Take off distance 100ft, 30 m Land¬ing distance 100ft, 30m Service ceiling 14,500 ft, 4420 m Range at average cruising speed 105 mile, 169 km
Engine: Rotax 429cc Rated hp 30 2.0 reduction Mmounted in front below the wing 58’ x27” pusher prop Wingspan 34’ Wing area 140 sq.ft Overall length 17’ Empty weight 219 lbs Wing loading 2.5 lbs/sq.ft L/D power-off glide ratio 9:1 Cruise speed 45-50 mph Stall speed 20 mph Fuel capacity 4 USG
