TYPE: Single-seat ultralight biplane kitbuilt.
PROGRAMME: Prototype (N666RC) first flown 12 August 1996. Nominated Champion at Arlington 1997 and Grand Champion two years later; further awards at AirVenture, Oshkosh, in 1997 and 2002. Kit available to order from July 2003 and will ship early 2004. Pronounced 'my fighter'.
COSTS: Kit US$14,995, excluding engine, propeller and instruments (2003). Spoked wheels, dummy bombs, flowing white scarf and machine guns optional.
DESIGN FEATURES: Based on Fokker biplane, with third lifting surface between wheels but with same aerofoil as Avid series. Two-bay wings with N-type interplane struts. Quoted build time 650 to 850 hours. Cross-axle lifting surface has Clark 23012 airfoil and is free-floating to accommodate landing gear movement during take-off and landing.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Large, horn-balanced rudder. Ailerons on both mainplanes.
STRUCTURE: Fuselage of 4130 welded steel tube; wood and 6061-T6 steel wing. Both covered in Stits Polyfiber. Glass fibre nose cowling and wingtips.
POWER PLANT: One piston engine of between 48.5 and 55.9 kW (65 and 75 hp); prototype has inverted 47.0 kW (63.1 hp) Rotax 532 with radiator installed vertically under louvered top cowling.
LANDING GEAR: Tailwheel type; fixed. Main wheels are 35 cm (14 in) with heavy-duty spokes; 51 cm (20 in) Cheng Shin tyres 17 cm (7 in) Matro tailwheel on prototype; kit aircraft will have 13 cm (5 in) version.
EQUIPMENT: Two fake 7.92 mm Spandau machine guns mounted forward of cockpit.
DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:
- Wing span: upper: 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in)
- lower: 5.64 m (18 ft 6 in)
- Length overall: 5.03 m (16 ft 6 in)
- Height overall: 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
AREAS:
- Wings, gross: 13.56 m² (146.0 sq ft)
WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:
- Weight empty: 195 kg (430 lb)
- Max T-O weight: 342 kg (755 lb)
PERFORMANCE:
- Max level speed: 83 kt (153 km/h; 95 mph)
- Cruising speed: 65 kt (121 km/h; 75 mph)
- Stalling speed: 33 kt (60 km/h; 37 mph)
- Max rate of climb at S/L: 411 m (1,350 ft)/min
- T-O run: 23 m (75 ft)
- Landing run: 46 m (150 ft)
- Range: 304 n miles (563 km; 350 miles)
The article appears in the following publication:
Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2004-2005. Jane's Information Group Ltd. 2004. ISBN: 0-7106-2614-2
