Ultralight Airplane Suggest Something Larger

By Anthony Liberatore

When the average aviation enthusiast thinks of an Ultralight Aircraft, they typically think of a totally open air Fuselage, and a craft that is totally minimalistic and it's overall execution. When you look at Indianapolis resident Steve Cole's Hummel Ultra Cruiser you might be shocked to realize it is an ultralight.

Yes it is a smaller aircraft, but it assumes all the visual cues of its larger brethren, and changes our perception of what an Ultralight can be.

For a memory jogger, an Ultralight aircraft falls under FAR 103 ( powered ) must be a single seat aircraft with a weight less than 254 lbs, carry less than 5 gallons of fuel, and meet two speed requirements. This category does not require the craft to be registered with the FAA, and relaxed pilot certification requirements have made it an attractive alternative to pilots who are looking for a lower cost venue or not having to deal with medical certification.

Terry Hallet President of Hummel Aviation in Bryan Ohio sell plans and kits to enthusiast who are interested in the Ultra Cruiser and it's siblings (certified in the experimental category) the HummelBird and the H5. In Steve's case, he chose the scratch built from plans option which took  him 3-1/2 years with some  factory support from both Terry and his go-to teammate at Hummel Av, Steve Gigax. Steve chose the 45hp Scott Casler 4 stroke 1/2 VW engine as his powerplant.

As you walk this stunning aircraft, you can't help but notice the highly polished bare aluminum, the attention to detail, and the stunning fit and finish, the pictures do not do it justice.

Steve's Cruiser has been flown 5 hours by Steve Gigax, and flying will resume when it gets back home after being displayed in the Hummel tent located in the North Aircraft Display area. But Steve Cole may not be alone flying his Hummel in the near future as Terry Hallet noted, a group of 4 gents in the Indy area all started theirs around the same time as Steve and one of its stablemates is nearing completion.

(Staff images)

FMI: www.flyhummel.com/hummel-bird, www.hummelengines.com