L i g h t P l a n e Wor l d
ing revealed the truth behind manufacturers' claims,
as some came back repeatedly with smaller wheels,
thinner seat cushions, and fewer instruments until they
could make weight. I still have a copy of the published
weights from that event 30 years ago. The lightest was
the Paraplane at 171 pounds, and a few weight-shift
fixed wings were less than 200 pounds. But most pushed
the upper limit. Some could only make the weight limit
with clean tires and dry sails. A weigh-in was conducted at one other fly-in, but the idea was quickly abandoned. It was unpopular, fraught with technical challenges, and took a lot of volunteer manpower. The great
ultralight weigh-in of 1983 was a turning point because
it marked the beginning of a new era of N-numbered
experimental light planes such as the Challenger and
Avid types.
Trike Accident Not Remembered
Jeff Edwards, a 38-year-old pilot certificated in airplanes, was seriously injured August 31, 2011, in a crash
during his first solo flight in a single-seat ultralight
weight-shift trike at the Washington Court House (Ohio)
airport. He contacted the EAA and wants to share his
story in hopes others will learn from his experience. The
precise details of the accident are sketchy because he
suffered amnesia from a head injury and cannot remember the accident or any of the events leading up to it.
Jeff is a recreational pilot and a member of the Air
Force Reserve, and his dad holds a private pilot rating.
Cantilevered wing of the plans-built Sky Pup viewed from below.
Te Zenair Zipper by Chris Heinz had no ribs, and its wings could be
folded in under two minutes.
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Vol.2 No.2 / February 2 013