Photograph:
Canadian registered Litesport Ultralight Classic (Freebird Aviation Australasia)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat light sporting aircraft
Power Plant:
One 48 kw (65 hp) Rotax 582 UL 2V two-cylinder, two-stroke liquid-cooled dual ignition engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.92 m (26 ft)
- Length: 5.18 m (17 ft)
- Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 11.24 m² (121 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 177 km/h (110 mph)
- Max speed: 145 km/h (90 mph)
- Cruising speed: 129 km/h (80 mph)
- Stalling speed: 51 km/h (32 mph)
- Rate of climb: 244 m/min (800 ft/min)
- Fuel capacity: 38 litres (8.3 Imp gals)
- Take-off run: 38 m (125 ft)
- Empty weight: 204 kg (450 lb)
- Loaded weight: 408 kg (900 lb)
History:
The Classic was one of a series of ultralight aircraft produced by Free Bird Innovations Inc of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. A number of models have been available in the range, with engines ranging from 39 kw (52 hp) up to 75 kw (100 hp). Models available included the Ultra, Classic and Ultra II.
Construction was of aluminium tube, the wings being strut braced and the aircraft had three axis control systems. The wings were covered with Dacron or Stits fabric and were detachable for storage or trailering. The Classic could be used in the training role and had side-by-side seating and dual controls by way of a centre stick. It could be fitted with floats for operation in the seaplane role. The Ultra was a single-seat model with a Rotax 447 engine. A small number of examples have been built in this region.