Photograph:
PoorBoy PB-1 ZK-BEE (c/n 215) at Te Kowhai, New Zealand in 2016 (NZCIVAIR)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 37 kw (52 hp) Rotax 503 UL-2V two-cylinder, two-stroke, fan-cooled engine with dual electronic ignition
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.62 m (25 ft)
- Chord: 1.52 m (5 ft)
- Length: 6.09 m (20 ft)
- Height: 1.82 m (6 ft)
- Wing area: 11.61 m² (125 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 129 km/h (80 mph)
- Cruising speed: 89 km/h (55 mph)
- Stalling speed: 43 km/h (27 mph)
- Rate of climb: 137 m/min (450 ft/min)
- Empty weight: 115 kg (254 lb)
- Loaded weight: 205 kg (452 lb)
History:
The PB-1 was a single-seat ultralight aircraft produced by PoorBoy Aviation of Minot, North Dakota and has been available to the market for some years in three variants, the PB-U, the PB-1 and the PB-H. It was aimed at the market for a simple design with a simple construction technique. All three variants are similar in appearance and only vary in the engine installed, engines ranging from 26 kw to 39 kw (35 hp to 52 hp). It has also been known as the Light Flight Ultralight Aircraft PB-1. Examples have been fitted with the Cuyuna engine.
Construction is of 6061 T-6 aluminium tube, 2024 T-3 aluminium, with some 4130 steel parts in critical areas, with a covering of fabric. A parts kit available which provided pre-fabricated parts including the hang-cage bow, tailpost assembly and control horns was available, and these were welded. Aircraft grade hardware was required for all bolts, turnbuckles etc. Plans included drawings, materials list and a construction manual. Engines installed have included Kawasaki and Rotax units. Usually a parachute safety system is fitted.
A small number of examples have been built in Australia and have been registered as the Light Flight Ultralight Aircraft PB-1, one being registered as 19-3792 (c/n 1). This aircraft was fitted with a Rotax 503 engine and was first registered on 19 September 2002. An example became ZK-BEE (c/n 215) in New Zealand in January 2016 registered to Stuart Parker of Ohaupo and based at Te Kowhai.