AeroLites Bearcat
| Bearcat | |
|---|---|
| Role | Amateur-built aircraft
|
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | AeroLites |
| First flight | 1984 |
| Status | In production (2012) |
The AeroLites Bearcat is an American
amateur-built aircraft, designed and produced by AeroLites, of Welsh, Louisiana and introduced in 1984. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2][3][4]
Design and development
The Bearcat features a
parasol-wing, a single-seat open cockpit, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2][3]
The aircraft
two-stroke powerplants. Equipment to convert the aircraft for aerial application is also available.[1][2][3][5]
The manufacturer claims that the supplied kit takes 60–90 hours to assemble.[6]
Operational history
By 1998 the company had reported that nine Bearcats and two Ag Bearcats were flying.[3]
Variants
- Bearcat
- Base model[1][3][6]
- Ag Bearcat
- Model equipped as an agricultural aircraft, originally equipped with a 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 532 engine.[1][3][4][6]
Specifications (Bearcat)
Data from Bayerl and AeroLites[1][6]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Length: 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
- Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
- Wing area: 150 sq ft (14 m2)
- Empty weight: 275 lb (125 kg)
- Gross weight: 700 lb (318 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × two stroke aircraft engine, 40 hp (30 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed composite, 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 70 mph (110 km/h, 61 kn)
- Cruise speed: 60 mph (96 km/h, 52 kn)
- Stall speed: 27 mph (43 km/h, 23 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 110 mph (180 km/h, 96 kn)
- g limits: +6/-4
- Rate of climb: 750 ft/min (3.8 m/s)
- Wing loading: 4.66 lb/sq ft (22.8 kg/m2)
References
- ^ a b c d e f Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 91. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
- ^ a b Aerofiles (n.d.). "American airplanes: Ab - Ak". Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
- ^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d AeroLites (n.d.). "Bearcat & Ag Bearcat". Retrieved September 17, 2012.