Aero-Works Aerolite 103

Aero-Works Aerolite 103
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Aero-Works Inc.
Designer Terry Raber
First flight October 1996[1]
Introduction 1997
Status Production completed in 2005[2]
New production expected (2013)
Number built 150 (December 2004)[3]
Variants Wings Of Freedom Phoenix 103

The Aero-Works Aerolite 103 is an American single seat, high-wing, pusher configuration ultralight aircraft, designed by Terry Raber and introduced by Aero-Works, Inc, of Millersburg, Ohio in 1997. The aircraft's model number indicates that it was designed to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration FAR 103 ultralight rules.[1][4][5][6][7]

Production of the aircraft ended in 2005 when the manufacturer went out of business.[2] The rights to the design were purchased by its original designer and the aircraft updated with an updated aluminum fuel tank with a view to put the design back into production.[8]

Development

The aircraft was designed to meet the requirements of FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles, including maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight.[4][6] The builder-achieved empty weights vary from 252 lb (114 kg) to 300 lb (136 kg), with 275 lb (125 kg) being typical.[9] To remain under the FAR 103 empty weight requires the use of a light-weight engine, such as the 35 hp (26 kW) 2si 460-F35.[3][7]

Design

An Aerolite 103 at Oshkosh 2001

The Aerolite 103 features a high wing with half-span flaps that are extended by use of an overhead bellcrank to a maximum of 40 degrees. The flight controls are three-axis and are actuated by a wheel mounted on a control column via flexible push-pull cables and conventional rudder pedals connected to the rudder by cables. The engine throttle is a twist-grip type and incorporates a brake lever to operate the non-differential mechanical drum brakes installed on the main wheels of the tricycle landing gear.[4][6]

The aircraft has conventional nose wheel steering connected to the rudder pedals. The main landing gear utilizes sprung-tubes for suspension and absorbing landing loads. There is a fourth small caster-wheel under the tail, because when the pilot's seat is unoccupied the aircraft rests on its tail, due to the aircraft's empty center of gravity.[4]

The Aerolite 103 is sold as an assembly kit aircraft. The kit includes an illustrated assembly manual and pre-built fuselage, wings, control surfaces, jury struts and struts. The wings are covered by the builder with pre-sewn Dacron envelopes. The company estimates the time to complete the airframe at 60–80 hours. The kit does not include powerplant, propeller or instruments.[10]

When the aircraft was first introduced the standard engine was the 35 hp (26 kW) 2si 460-F35, with the 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 optional.[4] In 2009 the standard recommended engine was the Rotax 447, with the 46 hp (34 kW) Rotax 503 single carburettor engine optional.[6][11]

Aerobatics and spins are prohibited.[9]

Operational history

Since its introduction the Aerolite 103 has won many awards, including:[5]

In December 2004 the company reported that 150 aircraft were flying, the majority as US unregistered ultralights. In July 2009 there were 12 Aerolite 103s registered as experimental amateur-builts in the USA.[3][12]

Specifications (Aerolite 103 with Rotax 447)

Data from Aerolite 103 website[9] & KitPlanes[1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kitplanes Staff: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 34. Primedia Publications. IPM 0462012
  2. 1 2 Wings of Freedom (2010). "Aero-lite 103". Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Downie, Julia: Kit Aircraft Directory 2005, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 44. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-2. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  5. 1 2 Aero-Works (n.d.). "Aerolite 103". Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 16. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  7. 1 2 Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 343. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  8. ↑ "The Wonderful World of Ultralights at AirVenture", Light Plane World, EAA, retrieved 29 August 2012
  9. 1 2 3 Aero-Works (n.d.). "Aerolite 103 Specifications". Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  10. ↑ Aero-Works (n.d.). "Aerolite 103 Kwik Kit". Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  11. ↑ Aero-Works. "Aerolite 103 Recommended Engines". Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  12. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (July 2009). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2009-07-26.

External links

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