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Type of aircraft From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Flightstar is a large family of single and two-seat, high wing, single engined kit aircraft that was produced by Flightstar Sportplanes of South Woodstock, Connecticut. In 2009 the rights, tooling and parts inventory were sold to Yuneec International of China when Flightstar Sportplanes' business was wound up.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Flightstar | |
|---|---|
| |
| Flightstar IISL | |
| Role | Ultralight aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Flightstar Sportplanes |
| Designer | Tom Peghiny |
| First flight | 1987 |
| Introduction | 1987 |
| Status | Out of production |
| Produced | 1987-2009 |
Flightstar designer Tom Peghiny built the first Flightstar in the mid-1980s for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category with its maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight requirement. The two-seat Flightstar II soon followed to fill the role of a trainer. The designs quickly became commercial successes and the basic design has been extensively developed over time. By 2007 over 700 single seaters had been sold.[1][5]
All models are constructed from anodized aluminum tubing assembled with bolts. The fuselage is suspended from a keel tube that also mounts the engine at the front, the tail at the back and the wings. The wings are strut-braced and utilize jury struts. The wings and tail surfaces are covered in pre-sewn Dacron envelopes, which reduces construction time. The wings have full-span ailerons, while the tail features conventional elevators and rudder. The landing gear is a tricycle gear arrangement with bungee suspension on the main wheels. The nosewheel is steerable and mainwheel brakes are an available option. The reported construction time for the single seat models is 100 hours.[1][5]
The fuselage is built around an overhead aluminum tube keel that mounts the tail at the back, the wings and fuselage in the centre and the engine at the front. The pod-type cockpit fairing is made from fibreglass and includes a windshield.[1]
The two seat models all have side-by-side seating and have folding wings. Reported construction time for the current two seat models is 150 hours.[1][2][4][5]
Reviewer Andre Cliche described the Flightstar line as: "a strong ultralight that is built to last" and particularly singled out the control system for praise saying: "the controls are well-balanced, light and authoritative."[1]
In July 2009 a new single seat model was exhibited at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The e-Spyder is an electric-powered version of the Sportstar Spyder, developed by Tom Peghiny. The aircraft replaces the Spyder's two-stroke engine with a Yuneec Power Drive 20 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor and two 28 lb (13 kg) Lithium polymer battery packs which provide a 40-minute endurance. The aircraft is intended to be developed into a commercially available kit and forecast to be available for under US$25,000.[7][8][9]
The aircraft are also produced under licence in India by Albatross Flying Systems.[6]
Data from Kitplanes[4]
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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