Ed Fisher first designed the Zippy Sport, which was officially introduced 1983 as a participant in the Dupont/Western Flyer design contest, and was marketed through Fishercraft.
It is not the design prototype, but rather, the “proof of plans” aircraft. This “Sport Plane” was identified as an ARV, (Air Recreational Vehicle). At that time, designer, Ed Fisher flew the Zippy with a Cuyuna 430 dual carb engine, and a Winters 2:1 planetary gearbox. Top speed was about 110 mph
Flying behind a 30-hp 430 RR Cuyuna, has a top speed of 115 mph. Designer Ed Fisher specializes in fast planes, many of them racers. Zippy Sport was de¬signed as a lightweight, folding-wing, trailerable, low-power aircraft with a ULF of +4.4 -3.1 G’s. Airfoil is the NAQR 4412 curve, with good stall characteristics and cruise. Wing is built up of ¾” by 61/2” solid spruce main spar and a 2” by 1” rear spar, ribs of sawn plywood or aluminum, leading edge aluminum sheet. Landing gear is of ½” by 5 ½ ,” aluminum spring tapering to 2” at the axle end. Go-Kart wheels and brakes are used. Ailerons and elevator are actuated by conven¬tional push/pull tubes, linked to a central joystick, Rudder is worked by rudder bar connected with 3/32” cables.

Over the next couple of years a full VW 1200 driving from the heavy end was fitted. Through, much of 1986, the aircraft was VW powered, while “debugging” flights took place.
Green Sky Adventures had been interested in the Zippy’s development from the early stages. By 1986, the Rotax Service Center was in serious need of a test platform with a broad speed range to explore the effects of variable loads on small engines in general, and Rotax 2-strokes, in particular. A deal was struck with Ed Fisher, and by late fall of that year, Green Sky Adventures were flying a Rotax 503 powered Zippy Sport, enjoying it’s handling and speeds to 120 mph.
Green Sky Adventures bought the “proof of plans” prototype Zippy Sport from Ed in 1986.
The Zippy was flown to Oshkosh from NE Ohio in 1987. That year, the design prototype, N81ZS was trailered to Oshkosh by Ed, and the two aircraft were parked together on the homebuilt flightline.
Through 1987 and some of 1988, hours were accumulated, and the aircraft was particularly useful for oil test runs, and propeller performance evaluations. During this period, another deal was struck with Ed, and the Zippy Sport design rights were acquired by Green Sky Adventures, selling a plans set at US$135.
A stub axle failure in 1988 resulted in some substantial damage, taking the aircraft off line till early 1991, when it was relicensed with a new 43 HP Rotax 508 two cylinder 4-stroke engine.
In subsequent years, Zippy Sport N83ZS has flown with 4 other Rotax engines, and countless propellers. It has been back to Oshkosh several times.
The HKS 700-E is the 9 th engine for the test bed. The Zippy continues to function in it’s roll as test bed with the addition of the Green Sky Adventures, Inc HACman mixture control for the HKS 700-E and Rotax 912 series 4 strokes.

Engine 30-hp Cuyuna 430 MR
Reduction unit Ultralight Technology 2:1 planetary drive
Prop 54/36
Gross Wt: 610 lb
Empty Wt. 340 lb
Fuel capacity 5.5 USG.
Wingspan 26 ft
Length 17 ft l0 in
Top 115 mph.
Cruise 95 mph.
Stall 35 mph
Climb rate 750 fpm
Takeoff run 360 ft
Landing roll 650 ft

Engine: Rotax 503, 52 hp.
HP range: 30-60.
Height: 5 ft.
Length: 17.83 ft.
Wing span: 26.33 ft.
Wing area: 100 sq.ft.
Fuel cap: 11 USG.
Weight empty: 421 lbs.
Gross: 680 lbs.
Speed max: 120 mph.
Cruise: 100 mph.
Range: 300 sm.
Stall: 40 mph.
ROC: 700 fpm.
Take-off dist: 350 ft.
Landing dist: 55 ft.
Service ceiling: 15,000 ft.
Seats: 1.
Landing gear: tail wheel.

With the Rotax 503 or 1/2 VW the Avenger prototype will cruise at 80 mph at just 5,000 rpm on the Rotax 503, single carb 48 horsepower engine. With the removable canopy, the Avenger can be flown in the summer or the winter. Cabin heat can also be installed. Avenger V has 2″ narrower firewall for VW engines.
It was designed to be inexpensive and to have a significant amount of room. It easily accommodates a 6’4″, 240 pound pilot. An all wood design suitable for VW and Subaru engines, the Avenger first appeared in 1994 and by 2004 fifty had been sold. Plans cost US$150, or US$165 for the Avenger V plans. The kit for the Avenger V was US$2795.
Designed by Steve Turner & Steve Lamberg for all wood construction. Complete kits were available with quick 300 hour build to fly time.

Avenger UL
Engine: Rotax 477
Wingspan: 27′
Cord: 54″
Length: 16’3″
Gross Weight: 600 lbs.
Empty Weight: 250 lb
Velocity-Never Exceed: 95 mph
Cruise Speed: 60 mph
Stall Speed: 26-28 mph
Climb Rate: 400 fpm
Takeoff Run: 200′
Landing Roll: 200 ft.
Design Loads: +4 -2.5g
Construction Time: 400 hours

Avenger EXP
Engine: Rotax 503, 48 hp
HP range: 28-48
Wingspan: 27′
Cord: 54″
Wing area: 121.5 sq.ft
Length: 16’3″
Height: 5 ft
Gross Weight: 600 lbs.
Empty Weight: 280 lb
Fuel cap: 5 USG
Velocity-Never Exceed: 95 mph
Cruise Speed: 80 mph
Stall Speed: 26-28 mph
Climb Rate: 500 fpm
Range: 150 sm
Takeoff Run: 100′
Landing Roll: 200 ft.
Seats: 1
Landing gear: tail wheel
Design Loads: +4 -2.5g
Construction Time: 400 hours

Avenger V
Engine: 1835cc VW 60hp
HP range: 50-65
Span: 27′
Wing area: 121.5 sq.ft.
Length: 16’3″
Height: 5 ft
Gross: 650 lb
Empty Weight: 325 lb
Useful Load: 325 lb
Fuel cap: 5 USG
Speed max: 100 mph.
Cruise: 80 mph.
Stall: 31 mph
Landing Speed: 39 mph
Cruise: 75 mph
Rate of Climb: 700 fpm
Range: 250 sm.
Take Off Distance: 250 ft
Landing dist: 250 ft
Seats: 1
Landing gear: tail wheel.

First flown in 1993, the Dakota Hawk was based on a design by Erval Jackson. Equipped with dual controls, a steerable tail wheel, main gear shock absorbers and available are hydraulic brakes.
The I Beam wing spar and construction gives a 550 lb useful load, coupled with space for added instrumentation, avionics and optional wing tanks, make the Hawk agreeable choice for cross-country flight.
The Hawk’s folding wings are engineered with a simple yet secure locking mechanism, making set-up or take-down a 15-minute step.
Wings outstretched, the Dakota Hawk owns larger dimensions than any other Fisher model. A broadened fuselage generates a wider, roomier cabin, with space for two adults and a cargo of overnight baggage.
The Dakota Hawk is designed for a 4-stroke engine, accepting the likes of a 65, 85, 0-200 Continental, 912 & 912S Rotax or 6 cyl. Jabiru. Properly equipped, the Hawk’s cruise speed will register over 95 mph.
Load and performance ratings benefit from an augmented main wing spar, and proven geodetic construction throughout. A contoured vented cowling, high stance landing gear and available wheel pants contribute to the craft’s posture.
The kitprice in 1997 was US$9,300. By 2001, the standard kit cost US$10,500 with a quick build kit available for an additional US$2000.
By 2004, twenty-five had been sold.

Gallery

Engine: Rotax 912 80hp
Wingspan: 28’6″
Length” 19’9″
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Wing Area: 128 sq. ft.
Weight empty: 600 lbs.
Gross: 1150 lb
Fuel cap: 12 USG
Optional fuel total cap: 19.5 USG
Useful Load: 550 lbs.
Wing Load: 9 lbs/sq. ft.
Load Factor: +5.7 -2.28g
Velocity-Never Exceed: 120 mph
Max Speed: 100 mph
Cruise Speed: 90-100 mph
Stall: 35 mph.
ROC: 800 fpm.
Range: 250 sm
Glide Ratio: 8:1
Take-off dist: 350 ft.
Landing dist: 400 ft.
Seats: 2.
Landing gear: tail wheel.

Engine: Rotax 912, 80 hp
Wing span: 8.7 m
Wing area: 12 sq.m
MAUW: 450 kg
Empty weight: 272 kg
Fuel capacity: 37.8 lt
Cruise speed: 145 kph
Minimum speed: 60 kph
Climb rate: 4 m/s
Seats: 2
Kit price (1998): US$10,695

First flown in 1991, the amateur-built Horizon 2 was inspired by the O-1 Bird Dog and designed with the larger pilot in mind, so the cockpit has ample room for a 6’6″ person weighing 280 pounds and the tandem seating. Thirty had been sold by 2004. The wing of the Horizon 2 features a modified GA (W)-2 airfoil combined with slotted flaps and ailerons, giving the plane more control and less drag at all airspeeds. The wing is a quick-folding wing for storage.

The Horizon 2 is only similar to the Horizon 1 in that they are both tandem, two place, high wing aircraft, but that’s where the similarity ends. The Horizon 2 has a uniquely shaped fuselage, which gives it a cleaner, more efficient aerodynamic design accounting for the 20 mph increase in cruise speed over the Horizon 1. The aerodynamic design also allows a 360 degree field of vision.

Kits were available for US$7500 and plans sold for US$350 in 1997.

Gallery

Horizon 2
Engine: Limbach, 80 hp.
HP range: 65-115.
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Length: 19 ft 8 in
Wing span: 26 ft.
Wing area: 113.6 sq.ft.
Fuel cap: 13 USG.
Weight empty: 570 lbs.
Gross: 1050 lbs.
Wing Load @ Gross: 9.3 lbs/sq. ft
Wing Cord: 54″
Velocity-Never Exceed: 120 mph
Speed max: 110 mph.
Cruise: 95 mph.
Range: 250 sm.
Stall: 35 mph.
ROC: 900 fpm.
Take-off dist: 250 ft.
Landing dist: 250 ft.
Seats: 2/Tandem dual controls.
Landing gear: tail wheel.
Construction: Wood/fabric, or Metal/fabric.
Design Loads: +4 -2.5g

Engine: Subaru
Propeller: Ground adjustable 3 blade
Wingspan: 26ft
Fuel capacity: 13 gallons
Top level speed: 120mph
Cruise speed: 95/100mph
Stall speed: 35/38 mph
Climb rate: 800/900 FPM
Take off run: 250/500ft
Landing roll: 250/300 ft

The Horizon 1 first flew in 1990 and by 2004, fifty had been sold. Based loosely on the Bellanca Citabria and amateur construction, it can carry a payload equal to its weight and is an excellent platform for lightweight floats or skis. It has a large, roomy cockpit, tandem seating, optional two-cycle or four-cycle engines and a one man, two-minute wing fold system.
Kits were available and plans cost US$275 in 1997.

Horizon 1
Engine: Limbach, 80 hp.
HP range: 65-125.
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Length: 18’8″
Wing span: 25’3″
Wing area: 113.6 sq.ft.
Wing Cord: 54″
Fuel cap: 13 USG.
Weight empty: 520 lbs.
Gross: 1050 lbs.
Wing Load @ Gross: 9.2 lbs/sq. ft
Velocity-Never Exceed: 120 mph
Speed max: 95 mph.
Cruise: 85 mph.
Range: 250 sm.
Stall: 39 mph.
ROC: 800-900 fpm.
Take-off dist: 250-500 ft.
Landing dist: 250-350 ft
Seats: 2/Tandem dual controls.
Landing gear: tail wheel.
Construction: wood/fabric.
Design Loads: +4 -2.5g