TYPE: Side-by-side ultralight kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: First flown 1983; available as single kit, or six separate kits to spread cost of purchase. Strongly influenced design of Indaer-Peru Chuspi light aircraft, and the SkyStar series of kitbuilt aircraft. Avid Bandit identical, except for 454 kg (1,000 lb) maximum T-O weight.

CUSTOMERS: More than 1,600 Avid Flyer kits delivered, with over 900 flying.

COSTS: Kit: High Gross STOL US$15,740, Aerobatic Speedwing US$14,740, both firewall back (2003).

DESIGN FEATURES: Strut-braced, high-wing ultralight of traditional configuration and construction. Two forms available (interchangeable), as original High Gross STOL with unique near full-span auxiliary aerofoil flaperons, and shorter span Aerobatic Speedwing using new wing section; cruising and stalling speeds raised with Aerobatic Speedwing fitted. Wings fold for storage. Quoted build time 650 hours.

FLYING CONTROLS: Manual. Junkers flaperons (see Design Features), elevators with adjustable trim tab, and rudder.

STRUCTURE: Aluminium wing spars and plywood ribs, covered with heat-shrunk Dacron. Welded steel tube fuselage, rudder, tailplane and elevators, Dacron covered except for fuselage nose which has premoulded GFRP cowlings. Fin integral with fuselage.

LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable tricycle or tailwheel landing gear, with Tundra tyres and brakes. Wheel rim size 12.7 cm (5 in). Steerable tailwheel. Mainwheels have bungee cord shock absorption. Optional Aqua 1500 floats, skis and wheel/skis. Wider landing gear available as option, introduced 2001.

POWER PLANT: One 47.8 kW (64.1 hp) Rotax 582 two-stroke engine, driving a two- or three-blade propeller; fixed-pitch wooden propeller for STOL, three-blade ground-adjustable for Speedwing. Fuel capacity 53 litres (14.0 US gallons; 11.7 Imp gallons) for High Gross STOL and 68 litres (18.0 US gallons; 15.0 Imp gallons) for Aerobatic Speedwing; option to double capacity of each. Similar capacity fuel tanks may be added in port wing.