US Aviation Super Floater
| Super Floater | |
|---|---|
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | US Aviation Wind Walker Aircraft Co |
| Designer | Klaus Hill and Larry Hall |
| First flight | 1970 |
| Introduction | early 1970s |
| Status | Production completed |
The US Aviation Super Floater (also called the SuperFloater and Superfloater) is an American
strut-braced, single-seat glider that was designed by Klaus Hill and Larry Hall and produced by US Aviation initially, and later by Wind Walker Aircraft Co.[1][2][3][4][5][6] It first flew in 1970.[7]
Design and development
The Super Floater is an
FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles regulations, most are not registered with the Federal Aviation Administration. Most were factory built and delivered completed and ready to fly, although some may have been completed as homebuilt aircraft.[1][2][5]
The aircraft is made from
monowheel gear, mounted directly behind the pilot. A ballistic parachute was factory-optional equipment.[1]
The aircraft was initially produced by US Aviation in the early 1970s, but production ended in the 1980s. It was briefly re-introduced by Wind Walker Aircraft Co in 1995, following a redesign, with US Aviation as distributor for
US$5,995 fully assembled.[2]
Operational history
In about 1994 Dave Chapman flew a Super Floater to an altitude of 12,500 ft (3,810 m) in
Salt Lake City, Utah.[2]
Specifications (Super Floater)
Data from Sailplane Directory and Hang Gliding Magazine[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 38 ft (12 m)
- Wing area: 168 sq ft (15.6 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 8.4:1
- Empty weight: 179 lb (81 kg)
- Gross weight: 400 lb (181 kg)
Performance
- Stall speed: 23 mph (37 km/h, 20 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 60 mph (97 km/h, 52 kn)
- Maximum glide ratio: 15:1 at 35 mph (56 km/h)
- Rate of sink: 180 ft/min (0.9 m/s)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ a b c d Activate Media (2006). "Super Floater US Aviation". Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Johnson, Dan (March 1995). "Product Lines March 1995". Hang Gliding Magazine. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (August 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
- ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ "J2mcL Planeurs - Fiche planeur n°". www.j2mcl-planeurs.net. Retrieved May 21, 2022.