Photograph:
Fisher Youngster 19-4436 (c/n Y.100) at Narromine, NSW (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat light sport biplane
Power Plant:
One 37 kw (50 hp) Volkswagen conversion four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 5.48 m (18 ft)
- Length: 4.72 m (15 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 11.7 m² (126 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed: 137 km/h (85 mph)
- Economical cruising speed: 129 km/h (80 mph)
- Stalling speed clean: 53 km/h (33 mph)
- Rate of climb: 213 m/min (700 ft/min)
- Range: 417 km (259 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 30 litres (6.6 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 163 kg (360 lb)
- Loaded weight: 272 kg (600 lb)
History:
The Fisher Youngster was designed and is marketed by Fisher Flying Products of Edgeley, North Dakota, later of Woodbridge in Ontario, Canada, and was one of a range of light aircraft for construction by amateur builders. It was aimed at the market as an affordable light single-seat sport biplane with a 1930s look. Designed with +4G/-2.5G design limits, and ultimate limits of +6G/-3.75G, it was aimed at the sportsman category with the ability to perform aerobatics.
A variety of engines could be installed, ranging from the four-cylinder Volkswagen conversions to the Suburu series, Rotax 503 and Jabiru units ranging up to 63 kw (85 hp). It was produced in Quick Build kit form which contained pre-assembled ribs, spars, fuselage sides, fin, rudder, stabiliser, elevator, etc. It had an open cockpit, a tailwheel undercarriage. It was of wooden construction with fabric covering.
A couple have been completed in this region and have been registered underRecreational Aviation Australia (RAA) Regulations, including 19-4436 (c/n Y.100) registered on 20 September 2005 and 19-5319 (c/n not known) registered on 30 January 2008 but withdrawn from use on 28 April 2011.