|
The Weedhopper ultralight is an American high-wing, tractor configuration, tricycle gear, two-axis control ultralight aircraft originally developed by John Chotia during the height of the 1970s ultralight boom and introduced in 1977. The aircraft is available as a kit for amateur construction and can be assembled in 25-30 man-hours.〔Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-64 and B-111. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4〕〔Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 294. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1〕〔Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 167. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X〕〔Downey, Julia: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 76. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851〕〔Downey, Julia: ''2001 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 82. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851〕〔Downey, Julia: ''2002 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, page 55. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851〕〔Newby-Gonzalez, Tori: ''2004 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 12, December 2003, page 65. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851〕〔Downey, Julia: ''2005 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 88. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851〕〔Downey, Julia: ''2008 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 80. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851〕 ==Design and development== Many of the early ultralights used a "weight shift" method of control, requiring the pilot to push a control bar to shift the center of gravity of the aircraft. The Weedhopper differed from most other ultralights of the period in that it has a control stick which moves the rudder and elevator, giving it two axis control in pitch and yaw. The pronounced dihedral of the wings, along with the swept leading edge causes it to bank into the turn, and results in a very stable, easy-to-fly aircraft. The Weedhopper differs from many of the other early ultralights in that it had a strut-braced wing, whereas most period ultralights have wire-braced wings.〔 The Weedhopper is constructed from aluminium tubing and covered with Dacron pre-sewn envelopes. The early versions of the aircraft developed a poor reputation due to the lack of reliable engines available in the 1970s. This was rectified with the adoption of the Rotax 277 and later the Rotax 447 powerplant.〔〔Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 127. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X〕 Over 13,000 Weedhoppers have been sold. It was popular because it offered people an inexpensive way to fly for pleasure. The aircraft could be easily disassembled and put on a trailer for home storage. It was not necessary to rent an expensive hangar. It could also be flown from just about any field because of its short takeoff and landing requirements (about with no obstacles). The kits originally sold for $2,000, and are still available today, but today's Weedhopper model 40 sells for US$8,495.〔〔 In its home country versions of the aircraft are eligible for the FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, the experimental amateur-built category and the light-sport aircraft category.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Chotia Weedhopper」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|