Photograph:
Ultraflight Lazair SSEC N911MP at the Udvar Hazy Museum in Washington, USA in July 2007 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Canada
Description:
Single-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
Two 7 kw (9.5 hp) Rotax 185 (185 cc) single-cylinder air-cooled engines
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 11.1 m (36 ft 4 in)
- Length: 4.3 m (14 ft)
- Height: 1.9 m (6 ft 4 in)
- Max cruising speed: 72 km/h (45 mph)
- Cruising speed at 50% power: 48 km/h (30 mph)
- Stalling speed: 35 km/h (22 mph)
- Take-off run: 46 m (150 ft)
- Empty weight: 159 kg (350 lb)
History:
In 1978 Mr Dale Kramer designed the Lazair, one of the first twin-engined ultralights, and commenced selling kits to amateur builders through Ultra Flight Sales Ltd. First model released was a single-seat, aluminium tube constructed braced-wing aircraft designed to obtain maximum performance out of two 7 kw (9.5 hp) at 5,800 rpm single-cylinder two-cycle engines mounted on the wing, each driving a 61 cm (24 in) propeller. It featured an inverted V-tail with a landing skid at the bottom of each side and a small nose wheel. The wings were Tedlar covered and had ailerons and drooped wing tips to assist with low-speed controllability. It could be dismantled for storage or transport.
The type was marketed in Australia by Ultra Flight Australia of Blakehurst, NSW. At one stage is was marketed by Microflight Sports Aircraft of Dural, NSW. A number of models were produced, all sharing the same airframe but each was fitted with a different engine and a different cockpit enclosure. Some had structural modifications to allow for an increase in power. It was a standard three axis control aircraft with a conventional stick and rudder. It had independent disc brakes for precise ground handling and a robust wide track undercarriage.
In 2004 the Lazair was the best selling ultralight in Canada. The type for a period was operated by the Monterey Park Police Department in California in the surveillance role and one of these was donated to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum (N911MP) in 1989. Another aircraft was donated to the Paul E Garber Preservation, Restoration & Storage Facility in Maryland. A number have been registered in this region with Recreation Aircraft Australia (RAA).