Photograph:
Stanton Sunbird ZK-JEA (c/n 001) in the Ashburton Aviation Museum, New Zealand (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
New Zealand
Description:
Single-seat self-launched glider
Power Plant:
One 20 kw (27 hp) Rotax 277 single-cylinder two-stroke air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 12.8 m (42 ft)
- Wing area: 9.2 m² (99.03 sq m)
- Never exceed speed: 132 km/h (82 mph)
- Cruising speed: 90 km/h (56 mph)
- Stalling speed: 51 km/h (32 mph)
- Service ceiling: 3,962 m (13,000 ft)
- Empty weight: 142 kg (313 lb)
- Loaded weight: 291 kg (483 lb)
History:
The Sunbird was a motor glider, or self-launched glider, designed and constructed in New Zealand by Charles Stanton over a three year period from 1993, the machine utilising some parts from the American Eaglet ZK-GOE (c/n AACA/641), which Mr Stanton had previously owned. After completion it made its first flight on 26 February 1995 and is known to have been flown for some ten years as ZK-JEA (c/n 001), at one stage reaching a max height of 3,962 m (13,000 ft), and on another occasion flying for 3½ hours.
The aircraft was registered as a Class I Microlight although it is in fact a powered glider. The aircraft made its last flight on 16 April 2005 and was then retired and donated by Mr Stanton and his wife to the Ashburton Aviation Museum where it is on display. Power plant was a 20 kw (27 hp) Rotax 277 engine with a feathering propeller which could be re-started in flight if necessary.