New Trike, Superlite Available Now
Belite Aircraft is breathing a little life ... or in this case
maybe its fire ... into its marketing effort this year by unveiling
an eye-catching paint scheme for its Belite 254, Superlite and
Trike Part 103 aircraft. The paint gives the airplane
the distinct appearance of a dragon in flight.
The Wichita, Kansas-based manufacturer takes pride in being
innovative, responsive to customers and extremely open to
considering ways it can improve its products. market performance or
competitive position ... both now and in the future. That's why
they chose to "loose the dragon" at their exhibit space, LP35 in
the Light Aircraft Exhibit Area, in Lakeland, Florida this
week.
The detailed vinyl graphics are being displayed on a Belite
Superlite. The colorful artistry can be applied to a factory
assembled aircraft or kit built version, according to Belite CEO
James Wiebe, who commissioned the project. "Dragons seem to be
enjoying a certain degree of popularity right now, so we decided to
create one. We suggested it to our graphic design firm, Insight
Design in Wichita, Kansas, and they came up with the incredible
design that has exceeded our wildest expectations."
Wiebe indicated that the decal package can be ordered, fully
installed on a factory assembled Belite aircraft for $3995. It can
also be purchased separately for $3495 for homebuilders. "If we can
create interest in aviation by making our airplanes look a little
like dragons, we'll gladly do that. If it helps draw a little more
current market awareness our way, we'll welcome that, too," Wiebe
added. Additional features, pricing and availability and
information can be obtained by contacting Belite Aircraft.
Along with the Dragon, Belite Aircraft has made some design
changes to its tricycle-gear airplane, and is exhibiting it and the
"Superlite" airplane in Lakeland. The Belite Superlite and Trike
will sport some new and exciting features, including several
improvements to the tricycle gear version of the aircraft that are
in direct response to potential customer inputs.
The Belite Trike
"Following its debut at the 2010 US Sport Aviation Expo in
Sebring, Florida, in January, the Trike was the subject of reviews,
both internally and with prospects who expressed interest in it. We
have incorporated those comments as we've moved forward with this
concept," said Wiebe. "As a result, we've come up with a new Trike
design that is more consistent with the Superlite and the Belite
254." Weibe says the fuselage on the Trike formerly incorporated an
aluminum tail boom designed to save weight and reduce production
complexity. However, it didn't really reduce the weight
substantially, and the additional welding complexity on the tail
feathers and landing gear largely offset welding savings on the
rear fuselage. Ultimately Weibe chose to use the original steel
welded fuselage.
"With regard to the Trike's landing gear, we strengthened the
nose gear by fabricating it out of stronger aluminum and slightly
lowering all gear to reduce the potential for taxiing tips," he
said. "The real changes were applied to the main gear. We're now
using a reversible 'A' frame main gear similar to the existing gear
on the taildragger models. With this "reversible" gear approach,
owners actually have a choice. They can have the tricycle gear
fitting installed as an option for a small additional cost; and
later, they can easily reconfigure back into a taildragger if they
choose. So a Trike plane is really two planes in one."
Belite Superlite
Belite Aircraft's entrant in the Short Take Off and
Landing (STOL) category, the Superlite, is equipped with a
twin-opposed cylinder 50 HP Hirth engine with dual ignition.
Available in both fully-built, Ready To Fly or kit form, the
Superlite is also equipped with a ballistic parachute. True to its
name, it is FAR Part 103 legal.
The Superlite requires a ground roll of only about 150 feet to
get airborne. When takeoff power is applied, it leaps into the air
and climbs rapidly. In order to remain within FAR Part 103
parameters, engine power on the Superlite is limited to
approximately 38HP to ensure that ultralight cruise speed
limitations of 62 mph is not exceeded. When owner-built as an
experimental aircraft, owners may dial in full engine power,
providing even more takeoff and cruise performance.
The Superlite uses the exact same fuselage and wing as the
Belite 254 Carbon Fiber model. The wing area has been increased by
approximately 2 square feet through the use of larger flaperons.
The engine mount, engine and propeller provide a new performance
combination. Carbon fiber is used extensively in the wing,
firewall, seat back, seat bottom and floorboard to minimize weight.
The fuselage and cabin area are welded aircraft steel for safety
and strength. The cockpit windshield and cabin top are Lexan for
safety and 360 degrees of vision. Belite also utilizes larger tires
in the Superlite, which provide better ground handling, especially
on rougher runways, and a sporty look. Like the Trike, the
Superlite also comes with a 5 gallon aluminum fuel tank.
The Trike, Superlite, and standard Belite 254 models are all
designed to provide recreational flyers with economically priced,
easy to build and operate aircraft that make flying affordable and
accessible, even to pilots without any medical or conventional
pilot's license. All are available in fully assembled or kit form
from the Wichita, Kansas-based manufacturer. Belite Ready To Fly
Factory pricing starts at $25,000. Kits start at under $10,000.