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.

FMI: www.jameswiebe.blogspot.com