Gemini Hummingbird
| Hummingbird | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight aircraft
|
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Gemini International |
| Designer | Ed Sweeney |
| First flight | 1979 |
| Introduction | 1980 |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | 48 (1981) |
The Gemini Hummingbird is a family of
ultralight aircraft. Designed in 1979, and introduced in 1980, the Hummingbird was designed by Ed Sweeney and produced by Gemini International. The aircraft was supplied assembled and ready to fly, or as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2][3]
Design and development
The aircraft was designed before the US
high wing, a V-tail, an open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and twin, wing-mounted engines in tractor configuration.[1][2][3]
The aircraft is made from
ruddervators. The later 103 model introduced rudder pedals. The landing gear lacks suspension, but does feature nosewheel steering.[1][2][3] Both models had structurally sound designs, and could maintain altitude on one engine. The more powerful Prospector engine equipped models are able to climb on one engine.[4][failed verification
]
The 103 models were able to fold completely flat for easy transport or storage.[citation needed] They were designed to be transported on top of a car and required two people to set up.[citation needed]
In 2009 Sweeney was experimenting with electric motors on one of his Hummingbirds, but no test flights were conducted.[2]
Variants
- Hummingbird Sport
- Single-seat Husqvarna AB Partner chainsaw engines with reduction drives installed or, later, two twin-cylinder Limbach Flugmotoren engines. The Sport has an empty weight of 170 lb (77 kg) and a gross weight of 326 lb (148 kg).[1]
- Hummingbird 103
- Improved, Was capable of folding flat for transport or storage.
- Hummingbird 2
- Two-seat model, with a structurally stronger airframe.[1] It was considered a Light-Sport Aircraft instead of an ultralight, because it had two seats. Only one prototype was ever produced.
Specifications (Hummingbird 103)
Data from Cliche[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 36 ft (11 m)
- Wing area: 175 sq ft (16.3 m2)
- Empty weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
- Gross weight: 560 lb (254 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 4.4 U.S. gallons (17 L; 3.7 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 2 × Solo 335 , 20 hp (15 kW) each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 57 mph (92 km/h, 50 kn)
- Stall speed: 22 mph (35 km/h, 19 kn)
- Range: 100 mi (160 km, 87 nmi)
- g limits: +4.5/-3.5
- Maximum glide ratio: 11:1
- Rate of climb: 941 ft/min (4.78 m/s)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- ^ a b c d Virtual Ultralight Museum (n.d.). "Hummingbird Sport". Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ a b c All-Aero (2018). "Gemini International Hummingbird". all-aero.com. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
- ^ Magazines, Hearst (May 1982). Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines.