Built by C R “Bud” Pearson and Leland Williams, the 1938 Pearson-Williams PW-1 Mr Smoothie was designed by Rod Nimmo. A racer for the Nationals as Mr Smoothie (piloted by Lee Williams) registered NX94Y.
It originally had retracting gear that was wired down after its mechanism was damaged in shipment to Cleveland by railroad boxcar.
Engine: 825hp Curtiss Conqueror V-12
Wingspan: 24’0″
Length: 26’0″
Seats: 1
New Zealander Richard Pearse, sometime in March 1902 on a remote South Canterbury, New Zealand, farm, got his aircraft into the air powered by an internal combustion engine of his own design. He took off along the road running near his family’s farms at Waitohi, flew about 50 metres before crashing into a tall gorse hedge.
The precise date is not known because the event was not recorded in any official sense, but it was carried out in front of a small group of mainly children.
Pearce’s achievements were not really known about outside his family and the immediate Waitohi area of South Canterbury until his death in 1953 and the discovery of a partly completed aircraft behind the house where he had last lived in Christchurch, NZ.
Pearse had died in Christchurch’s Sunnyside mental hospital and when it came to tidy up his affairs and clear out his house someone realised that there was something significant here.
The discovery of this aircraft led to interest in this unknown, loner of a man and the subsequent revelations of his achievements.
The argument against Richard Pearse is based on the definition of “flight” and the claim that while Pearse may well have designed and built his own aircraft and got it into the air 17 or 18 months before Orville and Wilbur, he had no real control over it – witness the crash into the hedge – and thus he did not have “controlled” flight.
He flew his aircraft many more times – on one occasion flying up the bed of the nearby Opihi River for almost a kilometre and demonstrating real control. He crashed into the river on this occasion after the engine overheated and ran out of power.
Pearse took off from a paddock, aimed at a cliff that dropped off sheer into the riverbed – a drop of 25 metres that would almost certainly have killed or badly injured him if the aircraft hadn’t flown.
Witnesses say they saw the plane flying from the moment it got up enough speed and they saw Pearse turn the plane to fly up the river.
Waitohi (pronounced Wai-tui locally) at the dawn of the 20th century was still remote and really was on the edge of civilisation. And Pearse worked by himself, for himself. One of the other reasons that so little of Pearse’s exploits were known outside the Waitohi area is that many of the farming families in the region were Plymouth Brethren and regarded his attempts at flight as ungodly and ignored them.
When it became obvious that the history of Richard Pearse needed exploring George Bolt went straight to the tip that every farmer has on his farm. Several small parts of what’s understood to have been the first plane were found.
At least two replicas of what’s understood to be Pearse’s first aircraft have been built. Pearse may have worked alone, but he did file his designs with the patent office and it’s from these drawings that both replicas have been built. The first was the work of long-time Pearse investigator and supporter, Aucklander Geoff Rodliffe and it was powered by a modern, conventional microlight engine. Attempts to fly it were thwarted by bad weather and this machine now lies in a dark and dusty corner, out of sight and out of mind at MOTAT in Auckland.
The second was built in Timaru by a team of four people – two working on the aircraft and two building a replica of the original Pearse engine.
The first 109 flew well, but was not particularly agile. Thus Bek began to build the first form for a plastic 109. Soon finished the first 109 from that form first flew in 1991. The second aircraft, registered D-MYBB, first flew in 1992, but was lost in an accident that same year. Bek’s third prototype, D-MNBP, was flown in about 1994 and resulted in some kits being sold.
The Messerschmitt BF 109 is certified as an ultralight aircraft, after the BfU 84 – LTA UL 2003. From the 1992 form, the new series had its first flight on 17 November 2006, after extensive revision.
The Peak Me 109 microlight Messerschmitt is now available either as a microlight or an experimental kit.
The BF 109 UL is a single-seat GRP low-wing aircraft with one piece wing, and tail wheel landing gear. The retractable main landing gear has a steerable tail wheel. Parachute: BRS 5 UL 1050 Softpack.
The Peak Aerospace Me 109R was originally produced by Peak Aerospace, Mecklenburger Ultraleicht Flugzeugbau Christian Engelen and then by Classic Planes GmbH of Pasewalk.
Bek flew a homebuilt category version of the Me 109 in 1996, powered by a Hirth F30 and later a Subaru automotive conversion, which became the prototype of the Me 109R kit aircraft. Bek then sold the company and the new owner ceased development of the Me 109. In 2003 Christian Engelen purchased the project and continued work on the aircraft, officially re-launching it in 2004. Since then production has continued on a demand basis.
The production version, the Me 109R is made from composites. Standard engines available include the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-stroke, the 70 hp (52 kW) Weber Motor MPE 750 and the 80 hp (60 kW) D-Motor LF26 four-stroke powerplants. The unit cost, assembled, was €40,990 in 2015.
Engine options:
Rotax 582 DCDI 65PS/48KW reduction 1:2,62
Sauer M800UL 70PS/50KW reduction 1:2,66
Jabiru 2200 80PS/54KW direct drive
Propeller:
Helix H50v 3 Blade 1,60m Diameter
Warp Drive 3 Blade 1,65m Diameter
Wingspan: 8,20 m
Length: 6,30 m
Height: 1,45 m
Wing area: 10,10 qm
Empty weight: 200-220 kg
MTOW: 322.5 kg (proven to 340kg)
Fuel capacity: 55 lt / 52 usable
Stall speed Vs: < 65 km/h
Va: 120 km/h
Cruising speed Vr: 160 km/h
Maximum speed Vne: 210 km/hr
Range: 600 km (3,5 hr Std. + Res.)
Average consumption: 12-14 lt/hr at 160/170 km/h IAS
Seats: 1
Mecklenburger Bf 109 UL
Stall: 32 kt / 37 mph / 59 kmh
Cruise: 97 kt / 112 mph / 180 kmh
VNE: 113 kt / 130 mph / 210 kmh
Empty Weight: 190 kg / 419 lbs
MTOW Weight: 300 kg / 661 lbs
Climb Ratio: 1100 ft/min / 5.5 m/s
Me 109R
Engine: 1 × Rotax 582, 48 kW (64 hp)
Propeller: 3-bladed Helix-Carbon composite
Wingspan: 8.10 m (26 ft 7 in)
Wing area: 10.53 m2 (113.3 sq ft)
Length: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)
Height: 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
Empty weight: 190 kg (419 lb)
Gross weight: 322 kg (710 lb)
Fuel capacity: 52 litres (11 imp gal; 14 US gal)
Wing loading: 30.6 kg/m2 (6.3 lb/sq ft)
Maximum speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn)
Cruise speed: 175 km/h (109 mph, 94 kn)
Stall speed: 59 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
Never exceed speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn)
Rate of climb: 6 m/s (1,200 ft/min)
Crew: one
Capacity: one passenger
Aerobatic
Me 109R
Engine: 1 × Rotax 912UL, 80 hp (60 kW)
Gross weight: 500 kg / 1,100 lb
Loading: +6/-4g
Aerobatic
Me 109R
Engine: 1 × MPE 750, 70 to 120 hp (52 to 89 kW)
Gross weight: 500 kg / 1,100 lb
Loading: +6/-4g
Aerobatic
Me 109R
Engine: 1 × D-Motor LF26, 80 hp (60 kW)
Gross weight: 500 kg / 1,100 lb
Loading: +6/-4g
Aerobatic
To make the aircraft more agile and reduce the building expenditure, in 1992 Tassilo Bek developed new wings with a majority of GRP structure, and using the Hirth F30 in order to bring the machine to or over the 200 km/h mark. The new wing withstood in the load test, up to a maximum take-off weight of 340 kg. The following machine WNr. 1992 flew. D-MYBB was lost in the same year through accident.
Powered with a Hirth 2704 of 40 hp, the machine reached 190 km/h maximum speed. The simple and reliable retractable landing gear of the 109 was incorporated at that time.
It still flies in close proximity to Jena. The machine is reliable and the wings are of timber construction method with foam material ribs.
The experiences from the flight behaviour, the structure and the examinations taken place following the accident of D-MYBB flowed immediately into the building of the next machine and the following.
Due to becoming largely popular inquires from prospective customers appeared. With that, Mr. Bek built several kits. First became the factory serial number 3, D-MNBP. This flew for the first time around 1993.
It was sold around Berlin. The construction units and/or kits sold, from which, among other things, the factory serial number 4, D-MCUZ was developed.
Serial number 4 had a Hirth F30 and flew from 1994 to 2003. In the meantime, the French certified the type.
The factory serial number 5 was equipped with a Rotax 582, this engine was intended from the beginning for the re-equipment of other machines like the factory serial number 3 and 4.
Mr. Bek on a strenghtened version, which became certified as experimental, in order would do aerobatics. This machine flew for the first time in 1996 equipped with the F30, shortly after changed to a Subaru autoengine.
The factory serial number 7 received a Rotax 912 and it emigrated in 2005, together with its new owner, to Paraguay.
The ME 109 UL began with Tassilo Bek´s visit in the middle of the 80’s to Oshkosh. Seeing small reproductions of Mustangs and other fighters, hardly back in Germany, he began to sketch his own airplane. After some planning and drafts he began with the work on the first ME 109. Basis was a covered timber frame, with retractable landing gear (operates via crank) in addition, and somewhat larger span of approx. 10.5 m with a length of approximately 7 m. The first prototype, registered D-MBAK, was powered by a Hirth 2704 producing only 40 hp (30 kW) and first flew in 1991. This first 109 flew well, was not particularly agile. This aircraft achieved 190 km/h (118 mph) on its low power output, but Bek started a second prototype based on lessons learned in 1992. Thus he began to build with friendly engineers and craftsmen the first form for a plastic 109.
Back in the early 1970’s Wayne Ison designed the P.D.Q. The PDQ-2 is a sort of strap-on monoplane with shoulder-high wings, a tiny tricycle gear and a pylon-mounted JLO snowmobile engine that swings a two-bladed pusher prop. The pilot sits up front biting bugs at a Vmax of 80 mph. On a cold day vertical velocity is 400 fpm. The I-tail is hung at the end of a boom borrowed from the Bensen gyrocopter. The wings are made from Styrofoam bonded over plywood ribs at root and tip of each panel, with seven foam ribs in between. The foam is then covered with Dynel, bonded at the edges and heat¬shrunk, with resin squeegeed into the cloth and sanded light¬ly. Finally, the direct-driven prop develops 45 hp at 5500 rpm or 35 hp at 5000 rpm.
Engine: 1385cc VW, 40hp
Wingspan: 22 ft
Length: 14 ft 6 in
Max wt: 600lbs
Empty wt: 340 lb
Max speed: 80mph
Cruise: 70mph
Climb rate: 500 fpm
The PG is a side by side two seater with a spaceframe fuselage. The wings are made of riveted sheet dural and can be folded for transport.
Engine: Rotax 912 UL, 80 hp
Wing span: 10 m
Wing area: 11.66 sq.m
MAUW: 450 kg
Empty weight: 280 kg
Fuel capacity: 100 lt
Max speed: 210 kph
Cruise speed: 195 kph
Minimum speed: 63 kph
Climb rate: 5.5 m/s
Certification: vVz
Seats: 2
Fuel consumption: 17 lt/hr
Price (1998): 85 000 DM
PC Flight offers kits to construct Pretty Flight two-seat high-wing cabin microlight.
The Elektra Two aircraft are scaled versions of the Elektra One Solar. Two versions are:
Version 1: Elektra Two Standard, with two different wing span: 17 meters and 14 meters
Version 2: Elektra Two Record. Only one unit for a range over 2000 km was to be built.
The outer shape of the Elektra Two Standard is the same as the Elektra Two Record. Two versions will be provided: the long span version (17 meters) and the short span version (14 meters).
Elektra Two Standard (long & short version) are for cruise, flying clubs and training
Construction is carbon / glass and solar cells on the wing surface provide the energy to fly. The solar cells will be laminated in the wing skin structure.
Specifications
Elektra Two Standard
Max. engine power: 40 kW
Wing span: 14 m / 17 m
Wing surface: 15 sq.m / 19 sq.m
MTOW: 350 kg
Empty weight: 200 kg
Battery weight: up to 100 kg
Payload: 180 kg
Max. range:
14 m wing span: 500 km
17 m wing span: 700 km
Max. endurance:
14 m wing span: 5 hours
17 m wing span: 8 hours
Cruise:
14 m wing span: 140 km/h
17 m wing span: 120 km/h
Aspect ratio:
14 m wing span: 13
17 m wing span: 15
Best glide ratio:
14 m wing span: 28
17 m wing span: 34
Certification: LTF-UL germany
Elektra Two Record
Max. engine power: 16 kW
Wing span: 17 m
Wing surface: 19 sq.m
MTOW: 350 kg
Empty weight: 140 kg
Battery weight: 80 kg
Payload: 150 kg
Max. range: more than 2,000 km
Max. endurance: over 20 hours
Cruise: 80 km/h
Aspect ratio: 15
Best glide ratio: 34
Certification: LTF-UL Germany
The Elektra 1, designed by Calin Gologan and built by a group of Romanians including Sorin Mares, received an award for innovation in aviation, the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize.
The one-seater plane is made of light carbon composite materials, utilising an electric motor, the batterys are charged while hangered, through solar panels. Elektra One Solar has six square meter solar cells on its wings to provide over 1 kilowatt (kW) of power for flying. Since the aircraft requires at least 2.5kW power for horizontal flight, this is slightly less than half the energy required for the plane to fly. The Elektra One Solar is not completely powered by the solar panels on its wings. To enable full flight, the plane has a series of high energy density rechargeable Li-Ion batteries on board. These can be recharged using the solar panels when the plane is parked outside. If the plane is parked inside, a specially outfitted solar hangar can take over the recharging duties.
PC-Aero developed the Elektra One Solar with the support from Solar Hangar and Solar World. The business idea behind it is that the solar panel equipped hangars will provide energy for the plane while the excess energy would be fed back into the grid. This predecessor of the Elektra One Solar, the Elektra One, has a range of 500 kilometers and an endurance of 3 hours. Its wingspan is also smaller at just 8.6 meters compared to 11 meters in the Elektra One Solar.
The Elektra One is in the German Ultralight LTF-UL-class powered by a 13.5 kW brushless electric engine. Germany’s Geiger Engineering developed the electric drive unit which includes the HPD 13.5 (16 kW maximum power) electric motor, controller, battery management system and propeller.
As the Elektra One was designed for minimum energy requirements at 160 km/h, once airborne, it is remarkably frugal with its use of energy. It can remain airborne for three hours and its claimed range has now increased to 500 kilometers. PC-Aero claims that the system offers operational costs per hour of less than EUR 35 or EUR 0.2 per km, which is a lot less than a roadgoing car.
Though the driving force and design of the Elektra One emanated from PC-Aero’s founder Calin Gologan, the team included team leader Einar Enevoldson, a 30 year veteran NASA-test pilot, engineer and test pilot.
Elektra One first flew on 19 March 2011, piloted by Jon Karkow, from Augsburg Airport in Germany. Three flights were performed, showing a climb rate of 400 fpm. Karkow checked flight performance and characteristics and briefed the German test pilot Norbert Lorenzen for the next flight on March 21.
A new 30 minute flight was performed on 23 March 2011. Only about 3kW from the total on board of 6kW energy was used and this was before the new variable pitch propeller and retractable landing gear were installed.
Endurance is estimated to be up to three hours and a cruising speed of 160 kph. The single seat Elektra One weighs 200 kg complete with battery and cost US$145,000 in 2012.
One of the Elektra One’s greatest advantages is its very low level of noise. The propeller speed is optimized for low noise too (under 50 dB). Cruising at 160 km/h, the propeller is rotating at just 1400 RPM. At this speed, PC-Aero claims it makes one fifth of the noise of a classic light aircraft and half the noise of an ultralight. Operating costs are below 35 €/hour and 0,2 €/km (2012).
Elektra One
Engine power: 16 kW
Wingspan: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
Wing area: 6.4 sq.m (69 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 11.65
Empty weight: 100 kg (220 lb)
Gross weight: 300 kg (661 lb)
Battery weight: 100 kg
Payload: 100 kg
Best glide ratio; 25
Range: 500 km (311 mi; 270 nmi)
Endurance: 3 hours
Crew: one
Elektra One Solar
Wingspan: 11 m
Range: 1000 km
Endurance: 8 hours
Crew: one
All Aero 