Tongdao Think Tank 2024-08-01 11:24 Beijing
AirVenture, the world's largest gathering of pilots, opened July 22 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Last year, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) airshow attracted more than 677,000 visitors who stayed at local hotels, camped or volunteered, according to Robb Report.com. Of the 3,365 aircraft, there are 1,497 vintage aircraft, 1,067 home-made aircraft, 380 warplanes, 134 seaplanes and 41 gyroplanes.
But for aviation enthusiasts who want to fly with minimal restrictions, the most interesting category is undoubtedly ultralight aircraft. Last year, a total of 194 ultralight aircraft were registered on AirVenture, although many home-built aircraft could also qualify for this category.
These ultralight aircraft are subject to Federal Aviation Administration Part 103 regulations, while slightly larger gyroplanes are not seen every day and can take off directly from their own lawns. Since they can only carry one person, they circumvent several regulations for large aircraft, which, frankly, can be more damaging if something goes wrong.
With a maximum speed of 55 knots, the powered ultralight does not require a pilot's license or FAA registration, and manufacturers can sell it as a build-it-your-own kit or deliver it as a complete aircraft. Even the category names are a bit misnomer: they can look like small fixed-wing aircraft, amphibious aircraft, helicopters or gliders.
With the rise of the urban air mobility movement, ultralight aircraft have also begun to develop, with the emergence of new personal electric vehicles such as PivotalHelix or JetsonOne. "Public acceptance of these new electric aircraft is the biggest obstacle," said Dan ·, an aviation journalist who has long followed the field. "Aircraft like the Helix or Jetson One can fly on their own – they don't need to transport passengers like a large air taxi – so if you're interested in this kind of flying, you'll be able to fly them in no time." For example, Pivotal is taking orders for its new Helix, which will be delivered in 2025.
Here are 8 aircraft scheduled to fly on AirVenture.
1. HawkUltraAir
The CGSHawkUltra is one of the best ultralight aircraft out there, with a proven design and is currently in production for 42 years. With more than 2,600 aircraft flying, they will be at the forefront of the Oshkosh ultralight zone route (it has its own grass runway for air shows). With its high wing, almost enclosed cockpit and high-thrust line engines, the Hawk is especially suitable for those who are just starting out in flying this minimalist aircraft.
That's what attracted owner Mark Schaible to buy Hawk four years ago. "Its handling is very similar to that of other conventional aircraft," he said. "Some of the other ultralight aircraft, including the very popular design, feel very different. As an ultralight aircraft, the Hawk is relatively fast, agile and reliable to handle. ”
Bob Samtos, owner of CGSHawk, said: "In recent years, we have seen a resurgence of interest in ultralight aircraft. "Most homebuilders can complete the Hawk kit for only about $23,000.
2. 枢纽螺旋（Pivotal）
If the HawkUltraAir represents an older ultralight aircraft, then Pivotal's new all-electric Helix could be its future. The single-player eVTOL maker from Silicon Valley will be making a big splash at AirVenture, showcasing its new Helix and old pre-production Blackfly models, as well as boasting three flight simulators that demonstrate what it's like to fly a Helix in high-quality virtual reality.
The Helix has eight propellers, each with its own electric motor and battery pack, and the system provides triple redundancy if one of the propellers fails. It takes off and lands vertically in hover mode and flies forward in cruise mode. Designed to be operated by a single joystick, this fly-by-wire aircraft has been tested over nine years and 7,000 hours of flight time with intuitive handling. It is available in three versions, with prices ranging from $190,000 to $260,000.
3. 卡利杜斯（Calidus）旋翼机
The gyroplane surpasses the ultralight in weight and complexity, but is no less adventurous. Such an aircraft may look like a helicopter, but its "rotors" are free-rotating, rotating in the air that rises through the blades, so it generates lift without direct power. Since there is no torque of the helicopter, it does not need a tail rotor. Gyroplanes are considered relatively safe and easy to operate.
AutogyroUSA's Cavalon and Calidus (pictured) gyroplanes are two of the great products that will be showcased at AirVenture. For example, the Calidus can carry two passengers, powered by the owner's choice of Rotax 916is, 914ULS or 912UL engines, and can fly at speeds of up to 120 knots and have a range of up to 4.5 hours.
A small Garmin navigator and radio can fit into an avionics panel. The flight controls are nimble to operate and have stability comparable to its weight class (649 pounds) in turbulence, making it a wild aircraft that can easily be justified.
Prices start at $105,000 for the kit version and $110,000 for the factory-finished model.
4. Aeromarine的TrueLite
Commenting on the company's presence at AirVenture, Chip Erwin, owner of Aeromarine, said: "We are growing every year. "Erwin showcased several aircraft, starting with the company's TrueLite ultralight aircraft.
"By all accounts, this is a true ultralight aircraft," Erwin said, noting that it is no more than 55 knots and weighs less than 240 pounds under Part 103 of the Federal Aviation Administration of United States.
The TrueLite has a 28-foot wing (longer than originally designed) with large flaps and quick-folding wings for easy storage and transportation in a custom trailer. "Hangar space has been an issue for decades," Erwin said, noting that his aircraft doesn't need hangar space. He also noted that folding the wings in two minutes is another selling point. "If an airplane takes an hour to assemble, you won't fly it," he added. The TrueLite retails for $32,000 of finished goods from the factory.
5. 埃拉·雷沃（EclipseREVO）
The recently launched EclipseREVO should be the star of the rotorcraft segment. Not only does it boast the sleek look and James Bond cool elements that ELA infuses with its other gyroplanes, but it also has the ability to take off vertically without the need for a runway. The 160-horsepower engine provides a top speed of 110 mph and a range of 400 nautical miles.
6. 航空船MerlinLite
Another of Aeromarine's aircraft, the MerlinLite, is superior to the TrueLite Ultralight: it can fly at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour and four hours at lower speeds. "The plane is a means of getting people who have lost their medical credentials to continue flying," said Chip Erwin, founder of Aeromarine, noting that it is classified as a powered glider and only requires a glider license.
The MerlinLite is available in both short-wing and long-wing variants, and Aeromarine will be showcasing both on the same aircraft.
The company is also looking ahead to future momentum. "We are developing our own electric motors," he said, to avoid the high costs and longer lead times that come with off-the-shelf motors. "The electric engine will be very efficient and will be able to fly for about an hour."
The MerlinLite retails from $35,00 and $39,000 if it is equipped with a long wing. Avionics and parachutes are optional. The company also made its own pontoons, turning the MerlinLite into an amphibious aircraft.
7. 进化之谜(EvolutionTrikes)
EvolutionTrikes refers to its ultralight Rev as an aerial "motocross bike," thanks to its large tires, all-wheel suspension, and short takeoff and landing aircraft brakes. The Rev can be folded in about 10 minutes for easy storage or trailer, and the all-terrain wheels mean it can take off from the field rather than the runway. The Rev's kit starts at $25,900.
8. MXL2Sport
Want to try your hand at tandem flying? Air-Tech's MXL2Sport ultralight trainer has been in production since 1988 and is easy to handle and responsive to controls thanks to its double-sided wings, in-flight adjustable trim, steerable nose wheel, and many other features. Its standard engine is a Rotax 582/B with a cruising speed of 61 mph.