Photograph:
Eipper GT-500 Quicksilver TC 55-0637 (c/n 236) at The Oaks, NSW in February 2006 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 48 kw (64 hp) Rotax 582 two-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9.14 m (30 ft)
- Length: 6.21 m (20 ft 4½ in)
- Height: 2.08 m (6 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 14.39 m² (155 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed: 121 km/h (75 mph)
- Rate of climb: 122 m/min (400 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,048 m (10,000 ft)
- Range: 240 km (149 miles)
- Empty weight: 191 kg (420 lb)
- Loaded weight: 454 kg (1,000 lb)
History:
Produced by Quicksilver Enterprises Inc of Temecula, California, the series commenced as an ultralight aircraft, a powered variant of the Quicksilver hang-glider. The first model was the M, followed by the E, powered by a 15 kw (20 hp) Cuyuna 215R engine. The next variant, the MX, was fitted with a 22 kw (30 hp) Rotax 377 engine and became the world’s most popular microlight, with more than 8,000 delivered by 1987. Examples of the GT-280, GT-400 and GT-500 have operated in Australasia.
In 1984 the single-seat GT-400 model entered production with a Rotax 503 engine, this being a completely new design, originally known as the X-2, then the Esprit. This was followed by the GT-500, which first flown in November 1989 and subsequently became available in kit form or as an assembled aircraft.
Most built in Australia have been registered with the Ultralight Federation, later Recreational Aviation Australia (RAA), but at least one has been registered on the Civil Aviation Authority Register, becoming VH-BZI (c/n 003) in February 1992. Other examples registered in Australia have included 28-0481 (c/n V173), first of the type to be constructed as a homebuilt; 28-0829 (c/n N204), 28-0832 (c/n V138); 28-0499 (c/n V171); and 28-0844 (c/n 192).
The series has been very popular in New Zealand, examples registered including 14 Quicksilver MX, 22 MX II, two MXL and one MXL II.
The type was marketed in Australia by Eipper Aircraft Australia of Stanhope, VIC and could be fitted with Full Lotus floats, at least one set of floats being imported.