The extraordinary design of the Air Bike has inspired and challenged me to design and build something even simpler and lighter, with a Polini 202 pusher engine. It will weigh only 154 lbs. Wish me luck in the flight tests !
IF...🤔 we took Mike Patey's Scrappy wing and used that design/mechanics to build a Part103 wing for this type U.L.( could be very expensive ,.. BUT ) with a light frame, a Hirth F23 engine .... I'd bet we would have a whole new flock of Air-Bike's and Legal Eagles out flying...I can just see a group of ten or more headed East,..... Oshkosh would never be the same.... I know I'd first in line . Thanks Dan.
In about 5 years i plan to get a kit and build a plane and if I cant afford to go for something like a Rans or decide ultralight is the right path for me this is the one im most interested in. Have always wished it had an aluminum wing to bring weight down and let me put nice tires on it and some more modern avionics and have a back country camping aircraft.
Jordan Lake Aero should build a special version for STOL comps. Yamaha engine (or big 2 stroke), wing with slats. Gotta believe the light weight aircraft would be an amazing performer.
It’s crazy that an airplane can weigh only 254#. The engine of my plane weighs that. I have a 103 ppc and it’s 254# but the entire wing weighs about 5#.
This is technically not an ultralight. It has two tanks that are probably 5 gallons each. Also with a Rotax 447, it would not make the 254 lb weight. How do I know. I built one that had the same same engine and dual tanks. It came in at just over 300 lbs with a ballistic parachute.
Hi Dan Great video on the Airbike. I have been dreaming of flying a Ultralight for the last 40 years. I really like the Airbike and a 4 stroke engine would be great to have in one. I just seen one for sale in Barnstormer so maybe Mike can give me some pointers. Thanks again for the video
Look closely at 13:28. Looks like extra tube welded parallel on top of lower longeron then cut in middle of that and a Bolt placed through top tube just welded in.
I have been in love with this airplane since it first appeared on the cover of sport aviation - don’t fly anymore but love to see it up there
The extraordinary design of the Air Bike has inspired and challenged me to design and build something even simpler and lighter, with a Polini 202 pusher engine. It will weigh only 154 lbs. Wish me luck in the flight tests !
IF...🤔 we took Mike Patey's Scrappy wing and used that design/mechanics to build a Part103 wing for this type U.L.( could be very expensive ,.. BUT ) with a light frame, a Hirth F23 engine .... I'd bet we would have a whole new flock of Air-Bike's and Legal Eagles out flying...I can just see a group of ten or more headed East,..... Oshkosh would never be the same.... I know I'd first in line . Thanks Dan.
Big thumbs up Dan! A great interview of both men on a cool topic. Winner winner.
In about 5 years i plan to get a kit and build a plane and if I cant afford to go for something like a Rans or decide ultralight is the right path for me this is the one im most interested in. Have always wished it had an aluminum wing to bring weight down and let me put nice tires on it and some more modern avionics and have a back country camping aircraft.
Jordan Lake Aero should build a special version for STOL comps. Yamaha engine (or big 2 stroke), wing with slats. Gotta believe the light weight aircraft would be an amazing performer.
Cracking aeroplane, great guys👍😊
It’s crazy that an airplane can weigh only 254#. The engine of my plane weighs that. I have a 103 ppc and it’s 254# but the entire wing weighs about 5#.
Nice job! Love this stuff!!
This is technically not an ultralight. It has two tanks that are probably 5 gallons each. Also with a Rotax 447, it would not make the 254 lb weight. How do I know. I built one that had the same same engine and dual tanks. It came in at just over 300 lbs with a ballistic parachute.
how much does the parachute weigh? That parachutd is very interesting, I just became aware of that option.
What a neat craft.
i love watching your videos
Way to go Mike!
5000 flights w students! Wow!
Ison's philosophy was KISS(Keep It Simple, Stupid). I only learned that today!
Hope he does a video going home. that would be
cool
Hi Dan Great video on the Airbike. I have been dreaming of flying a Ultralight for the last 40 years. I really like the Airbike and a 4 stroke engine would be great to have in one. I just seen one for sale in Barnstormer so maybe Mike can give me some pointers. Thanks again for the video
Looks a little like a legal eagle!
Where can we buy one?????
I think this Airbike is for sale on FB marketplace in NorCal.
So he said, if I'm not mistaken that he has a rotax 503. Does that keep it part 103 legal underweight limit?
I wish you had shown that fuselage mod.
Look closely at 13:28. Looks like extra tube welded parallel on top of lower longeron then cut in middle of that and a Bolt placed through top tube just welded in.
Does this plane have any aerodynamic compensation for engine torque?
what aerodynamic compensation for engine torque? curious what you mean. 😀