Tue, Jan 26, 2010
First Showing Of The Tailwheel And Trike Models
Last spring, entrepreneur James Wiebe had an idea. As an avid
pilot and aviation enthusiast, Wiebe wanted to create an aviation
experience that would take recreational flight to a whole new
realm. Wiebe acquired the tooling, existing parts and manufacturing
rights of an older aircraft, then combined his creativity and
experience from his previous business ventures to reinvent the
design. The result is a (FAR) Part 103 ultralight that looks
and flies like a real airplane and a new aircraft company, Belite
Aircraft. And this year, Belite Aircraft made its debut at the US
Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, last week.
FAR Part 103 airplanes have traditionally had great difficulty
meeting legal weight requirements while providing airplane
functionality. Wiebe developed a new lightweight carbon fiber
process which solved this problem and offers an ultralight with the
feel of a real airplane. The Belite incorporates stronger, lighter
carbon fiber technologies to reduce the weight. The result is
a full-featured airplane that meets the 254 pound limit specified
in FAR Part 103.
Wiebe has been refining the design and listening to prospects'
suggestions and ideas. As a result, he is introducing a
Tricycle Gear version that offers easy takeoff and landing,
eliminating the need for tailwheel training, and a Superlite
version with outstanding Short Take Off and Landing (STOL)
performance and rate of climb.
The standard Belite 254 is a full-featured, true single-seat
airplane with a real instrument panel that is well within the Part
103 weight limits. A modern smooth and reliable 2-stroke engine
allows a rate climb of 400 fpm and a cruise speed of 62 mph.
As a tailwheel airplane, it is remarkably easy to fly, but
tailwheel operating knowledge is required. The standard Belite 254
has a control stick and rudder pedals for standard 3-axis aircraft
controls, highly effective flapperons and classic taildragger
styling. It also features a tough welded 4130 steel frame and
folding wings for easy transport and storage.
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