TYPE: Aerobatic three-seat biplane/kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: Design started September 1993; work on first prototype began in following November and first flight achieved (N367LS) on 15 April 1996. Made public debut at Sun 'n' Fun 1996; initially had 670 kg (1,478 lb) empty weight and 930 kg (2,050 lb) MTOW. Manufacture of first production aircraft began in August 1994. FAA Experimental certification granted April 1996 and aircraft embarked on intensive demonstration programme.

CUSTOMERS: By September 2003, five aircraft were flying and at least seven were under construction. 200 sets of plans and six kits sold.

COSTS: Factory-built US$145,000; kit US$44,500; plans US$280 (2003).

DESIGN FEATURES: Fully aerobatic, single-bay biplane with 1930s styling, but offering modern performance. Loosely based on the Steen Skybolt. Cabane-mounted upper wing with single interplane strut and wire bracing; wire-braced empennage. Quoted build time 3,500 hours.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Actuation by pushrods; electric rudder trim and manual elevator trim. Aileron design influenced by Curtis Pitts. Horn-balanced elevator and rudder.

STRUCTURE: Fuselage is 4130 steel tubing covered with spruce; metal-skinned forward of cockpit, with fabric to rear. Wings are of fabric-covered wooden construction.

LANDING GEAR: Tailwheel type; fixed. Braced main landing gear legs are of 4130 steel tubing and use bungee shock cords. Goodyear tyres: mainwheels 10.00-6, pressure 1.86 bar (27 lb/sq in); tailwheel 8.00-4, pressure 3.10 bar (45 lb/sq in). Cleveland brakes. Minimum ground turning radius 7.92 m (26 ft 0 in).

POWER PLANT: One 265 kW (355 hp) VOKBM M-14PT radial engine driving a constant-speed two-blade wooden propeller. Main fuel tank in fuselage contains 121 litres (32.0 US gallons; 26.6 Imp gallons); wing tank contains 38 litres (10.0 US gallons; 8.3 Imp gallons) and ferry tank a further 151 litres (40.0 US gallons; 33.3 Imp gallons); total usable fuel 299 litres (79.0 US gallons; 65.8 Imp gallons). Oil capacity 15 litres (4.0 US gallons; 3.3 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot and either one or two passengers, depending on model, in open cockpit. Baggage compartment behind headrest.

SYSTEMS: 10 A electrical system for radio and lights; pneumatic engine starting system.

AVIONICS: Comms: Honeywell radio, transponder and GPS.