Photograph:
Flagor Skooter ZK-EYL (c/n AACA/367) at the MOTAT Museum in Auckland, NZ in April 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 30 kw (40 hp) (1500 cc) Volkswagen conversion four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan 8.84 m (28 ft)
- Length 4.78 m (15 ft 8 in)
- Height 2.13 m (7 ft)
- Wing area 10.68 m² (115 sq ft)
- Max speed 153 km/h (95 mph)
- Max cruising speed 129 km/h (80 mph)
- Cruising speed 105 km/h (65 mph)
- Stalling speed 55 km/h (34 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level 99 m/min (325 ft/min)
- Range with max fuel 282 km (175 miles)
- Fuel capacity 18 litres (4 Imp gals)
- Take-off run 76 m(250 ft)
- Landing run 107 m(350 ft)
- Empty weight 177 kg (390 lb)
- Loaded weight 295 kg (650 lb)
History:
The Skooter was designed by Mr K Flagor in July 1965 as a small ultralight sport monoplane for construction by amateur builders. Construction of the prototype began in November that year and it was powered by a 13 kw (18 hp) Cushman converted golf-kart engine. First flight was made in June 1967 but it was found to be underpowered and a 27 kw (36 hp) Volkswagen engine was installed.
In 1967 the Skooter was shown at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fly-in at Rockford in Illinois and won the Outstanding Ultra Light and Outstanding Volkswagen-Powered Airplane awards. The type has also been known as the Flagor Skyscooter.
Plans were subsequently made available to builders by the Ace Aircraft Manufacturing Company, and at one stage plans were marketed by Rotor-Wings & Flying Machines of Austin, Texas.
Construction was of a wooden wing structure built in two halves with two wooden spars with diagonal wooden drag and anti-drag internal bracing, with aluminium leading-edge, plywood covered. The fuselage was of wooden structure, with plywood covering in the forward cockpit area and fabric covering aft. The undercarriage was a non-retractable tailwheel type, and the tail-unit was of all-wood construction.
A number of examples have been completed in this region and one ZK-EYL (c/n AACA/367) after retirement has been placed on display at the Museum of Transport, Technology, and Social History (MOTAT) in Auckland, New Zealand.
Construction of one was commenced by Gerald Downs in Victoria and the airframe number V.35 was allotted but it is not known if it was completed. No registration was allotted.