Mini-Wilga? Australian Aircraft offers two light STOL models

[Zzz]

Check out the Australian Aircraft Hornet and Bushman 912/914 powered light STOL planes.

Although it seems like they're capitalizing on the famous trailing link suspension that characterizes the Wilga, it looks like they offer the Hornet STOL on regular spring gear too.

I think it looks pretty cool:

Hornet:


and the Bushman:


on traditional spring gear:


Hornet in action:

[182 STOL driver]

Cool -

[born2flyak]

Looks like a Wilga and a Zenith 701 were at one wild party 9 months ago...That hornet probably flies about as fast as its namesake too (not the one with the afterburners) with those tires on...looks like fun!

[Zzz]

I take a look at these guys every now and then. I like their construction, but those trailing link gear really offend my sense of aesthetic. I'm sure they do the job better than regular spring gear though.

I did find a couple shots of guys who've built their Hornets with regular spring gear. I dunno...it's growing on me

[Vick]

Aside from the Rans S-7 I haven't gotten very excited by any of the Rotax powered option but these I like! I love the trailing link gear though I wonder how much heavier it is over the spring alternative and if the added complexity is justified by the performance. I trolled through the Aussie site - didn't see any links to an American distributor? No mention of them in the Kitplanes buyers guide either? Know where there's any more info on them?

[dirtstrip]

I like this shot of the spring gear Hornet on bushwheels but the straight lines of the underside make it sit extremely nose high in the stalled out AOA or taxi position. It does look cool though. This is why the 701 and Savannah use the upswept tail behind the cabin, in order to shorten the gear and avoid groundstriking the tail. The old Storch looked more like this Aussie model and also had extremely long gear to reach the ground at stalled configuration.

http://www.aerialmustering.com.au/

They are seeking North American and European dealers.

http://www.aircraftkits.com.au/agents.htm

The taller it is the wider the gear need to be for stability. I would like to see it in a crosswind. Where are the flight specs to be found for this bird?

Note. Found the specs here. http://www.aircraftkits.com.au/aircraft/hornet_kit.html

[Zzz]

A 701/750/801/Savannah tailwheel version is, tragically, quite a homely thing. It's the one aircraft that does look better as a trike.

This though feel like it has a similar wing, but with a proper fuselage. I could see wanting to design a more Highlander or Kitfox 7 style cowling, but I love the tail and the rest of the fuselage lines. And that cargo area....wow. All metal construction is nice, especially if it uses pulled rivets (faster.)

Dirtstrip.... the Tundra has just the right amount of belly on it.

[Zzz]

I love the trailing link gear?

Here ya go man...


I just can't stomach it. But I bet it handles nasty stuff really well.

didn't see any links to an American distributor? No mention of them in the Kitplanes buyers guide either? Know where there's any more info on them?

No idea. I bet if they could make it to OshKosh they could hook up with someone who could help them out. Quite a voyage from Oz.

[dirtstrip]

A 701/750/801/Savannah tailwheel version is, tragically, quite a homely thing. It's the one aircraft that does look better as a trike.

This though feel like it has a similar wing, but with a proper fuselage. I could see wanting to design a more Highlander or Kitfox 7 style cowling, but I love the tail and the rest of the fuselage lines. And that cargo area....wow. All metal construction is nice, especially if it uses pulled rivets (faster.)

Dirtstrip.... the Tundra has just the right amount of belly on it.

The angled fuselage at the bottom was not done for looks. The original proto type Tundra was a much straighter line on the bottom of the cabin. It worked fine when they had it on floats as it sets as level as a tricycle gear does on land. When they tried to put the plane on wheels they found the gear too long to get the AOA right. They then used the compound angle behind the cabin to raise the tail and shorten the gear legs. Compare the the prototype bottom line to the production model. My photo is below but the prototype is here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dream ... IPN_02.JPG



This bottom chord is modified like this in many high angle of attack aircraft to shorten the gear. The Birdog might be one of the best examples.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... CCgQ9QEwAQ

[Vick]

I love the trailing link gear?

Here ya go man...

Yep, I stand by it. That thing looks badass.

[emflys]

I love it too. I haven't looked at the weight, but looks like a useful bird. A lot of Pilatus Porter in the lines too. I think the spring gear would just be less maintenance and just as capable, and lighter - which with a 100hp motor, makes a difference.

[emflys]

Oh, says 310kg, 683 lbs- thats pretty light!

[dirtstrip]

I love the trailing link gear though I wonder how much heavier it is over the spring alternative and if the added complexity is justified by the performance.

I have no first hand knowledge of the the trailing gear performance but here is a pilot report on the last Wilga 2000 with trailing gear.
He says it will roll easily over a curb but is tricky for two wheel takeoffs or landings.

http://www.swaviator.com/html/issuema03/Wilga3403.html

[Zzz]

I love it too. ... A lot of Pilatus Porter in the lines

Yes, exactly! I love that square tail and hard angular dorsal.

[Pundy]

Those are great looking planes. I have to agree that these are the most interesting LSA's I've ever seen.

[WingsOverPalawan]

Seems very utilitarian to me, and I like the storage space and high ground clearance up front.

[breeza]

G'day
I am about to put an order in for a Hornet STOL - without the fixed slats -

Can some one advise me on the respective wieghts of the Rotax 914 - Lycoming 233 (operating weights)

As it stands the Hornet with 914 and trailing link legs has an empty weight of 344Kg (756lbs)

Thank your time

Breeza

[jjbaker]

Yup, that is one neat little airplane! Never seen that thing before.

[courierguy]

This bird reminds me of a past girlfriend who had an advanced degree and a secure university teaching job with full bennies for her and the spousal unit. She was also a great cook. She wanted to get hitched, to me, BUT.....I couldn't get past ( yeah I'm a shallow bastard) her looks... same thing with this plane. I really like it, but I wouldn't want to wake up first thing and have to look at it.

[M6RV6]

This bird reminds me of a past girlfriend who had an advanced degree and a secure university teaching job with full bennies for her and the spousal unit. She was also a great cook. She wanted to get hitched, to me, BUT.....I couldn't get past ( yeah I'm a shallow bastard) her looks... same thing with this plane. I really like it, but I wouldn't want to wake up first thing and have to look at it.

Now that's the pot calling the kettle black!