CGS Hawk explained

The CGS Hawk is a family of high wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration, single and two-seats-in-tandem ultralight aircraft, designed by Chuck Slusarczyk and manufactured by CGS Aviation.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Development

Designer Chuck Slusarczyk established himself as a hang glider designer in the early 1970s, including producing engine power units for hang gliders. In October 1979, his company, Chuck's Glider Supplies was renamed CGS Aviation. In 1980 Slusarczyk surveyed pilots at Sun 'n Fun and AirVenture to find out what they wanted in a new ultralight aircraft design. The survey revealed pilots were looking for:[8]

When the resulting Hawk first flew in January 1982 it was the first ultralight aircraft with an enclosed cockpit and to use strut bracing. The aircraft was intended to meet the requirements of the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, including that category's maximum 2540NaN0 empty weight.

The Hawk wing is strut-braced, constructed from aluminum tubing and covered with either pre-sewn Dacron envelopes or doped aircraft fabric. The flat-bottomed wing also features flaps. The fuselage is of similar construction and uses a curved boom tube for its main structural member. The curved tube allows the tail to be located higher, out of the wing's downwash, especially when the flaps are extended. Landing gear for all models is optionally tricycle or conventional.[9]

The Hawks are available as aircraft kits, quick-build kits, or completed aircraft.

Operational history

The Hawk was first introduced to the public at Sun N Fun in March 1982 in Lakeland, Florida. The prototype won Best New Design for 1982.

At the EAA Convention held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that same year the Hawk was named Outstanding New Design and also Reserve Grand Champion.

At Oshkosh 1983, the Hawk won the Dupont Kevlar Air Recreational Vehicle Design Competition against more than 126 other designs.

Variants

Single seaters

Hawk Classic
  • Single seat, original design, introduced in 1982 and still in production. 990 flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 3100NaN0 with a 6000NaN0 gross weight.. Engines available include the two-stroke 400NaN0 Rotax 447, 520NaN0 Rotax 503, 650NaN0 Rotax 582, 400NaN0 Hirth 2702, 550NaN0 Hirth 3202, 650NaN0 Hirth 3203 and the four-stroke 600NaN0 HKS 700E.
    Hawk Arrow
  • Single seat, with a less sloped windshield, longer nose, larger tail surfaces, flatter floor and reinforced tail boom. 135 flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 3300NaN0 with a 6250NaN0 gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 400NaN0 Rotax 447, 520NaN0 Rotax 503, 650NaN0 Rotax 582, 400NaN0 Hirth 2702, 550NaN0 Hirth 3202, 650NaN0 Hirth 3203 and the four-stroke 600NaN0 HKS 700E.[10]
    Hawk Plus
  • Single seat, based on the Arrow two-seater, with only the front seat fitted, intended as a freight carrier. 65 flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 3500NaN0 with an 8000NaN0 gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 400NaN0 Rotax 447, 520NaN0 Rotax 503, 650NaN0 Rotax 582, 400NaN0 Hirth 2702, 550NaN0 Hirth 3202, 650NaN0 Hirth 3203 and the four-stroke 600NaN0 HKS 700E.[11]
    Hawk Sport
  • Single seat, developed to compete in the 1999 European World Air Games. Eight were flying by 2011. It has competition features, including streamlined struts and landing gear legs, no jury struts, a semi-symmetrical airfoil and 30NaN0 extra headroom. Standard empty weight 3100NaN0 with a 6250NaN0 gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 400NaN0 Rotax 447, 520NaN0 Rotax 503, 650NaN0 Rotax 582 or the 400NaN0 Hirth 2702.[12]
    Hawk Ultra
  • Single seat, based on the Classic. The Classic weighed under 2540NaN0 when introduced, but became heavier as amenities were added and thus no longer qualified for FAR 103. The Ultra model is a lightened version to comply with the FAR 103 rules. Eight flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 2540NaN0 with a 6000NaN0 gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 400NaN0 Rotax 447 or the 350NaN0 Kawasaki 440.[13]
    AG-Hawk
  • No longer in production. 30 reported flying in 1998. Single seat, based on the Arrow and equipped as an agricultural aircraft for spraying. Standard empty weight 2750NaN0 with an 8000NaN0 gross weight. Specified engine was the two-stroke 650NaN0 Rotax 582.

    Two seaters

    Hawk Classic II
  • Introduced in 1985 and no longer in production. 290 reported flying in 1998. Two seats in tandem, based on the Classic. Standard empty weight 3400NaN0 with an 8000NaN0 gross weight. Engines available included the two-stroke, 520NaN0 Rotax 503, 650NaN0 Rotax 582, 550NaN0 Hirth 2703 and the 650NaN0 Hirth 2706.
    Hawk Arrow II
  • Two seats in tandem, with the rear seat raised for visibility. Based on the Classic, but with a less sloped windshield, longer nose, larger tail surfaces, flatter floor and reinforced tail boom. Available as a fully assembled US Special Light Sport Aircraft. It incorporates the semi-symmetrical airfoil and streamlined extruded aluminum wing struts from the Hawk Sport. 186 flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 4200NaN0 with a 9500NaN0 gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke, 520NaN0 Rotax 503, 650NaN0 Rotax 582, 550NaN0 Hirth 3202, 650NaN0 Hirth 3203, 800NaN0 Hirth F30, 1000NaN0 Hirth 3701 and the four-stroke 600NaN0 HKS 700E.[14] [15] [16]

    Notes and References

    1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter – Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 132-133. BAI Communications.
    2. Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 45-46. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    3. Kitplanes Staff: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 42-43. Primedia Publications. IPM 0462012
    4. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-28 & B-82 Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
    5. Web site: CGS Hawk History. 2009-10-15. CGS Aviation. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092645/http://www.cgsaviation.com/history.htm. 2015-04-02. dead.
    6. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 45. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    7. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 34. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
    8. Web site: CGS Hawk Classic Single Seat. 2009-10-15. CGS Aviation. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20090916135656/http://www.cgsaviation.com/singleclassic.htm. 2009-09-16. dead.
    9. https://s28490.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Kitplanes_2010_12.pdf "Flight Review: CGS Hawk Arrow,"
    10. Web site: CGS Hawk Arrow Single Seat. 2009-10-15. CGS Aviation. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20090909094936/http://www.cgsaviation.com/singlearrow.htm. 2009-09-09. dead.
    11. Web site: CGS Hawk Plus Single Seat. 2009-10-15. CGS Aviation. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20091006043918/http://www.cgsaviation.com/hawkplus.htm. 2009-10-06. dead.
    12. Web site: CGS Hawk "Sport" Single Seat. 2009-10-15. CGS Aviation. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20090810044650/http://www.cgsaviation.com/hawksport.htm. 2009-08-10. dead.
    13. Web site: CGS Hawk 'Classic Ultra'. 2009-10-15. CGS Aviation. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20090909094901/http://www.cgsaviation.com/hawkultra.htm. 2009-09-09. dead.
    14. Web site: CGS Hawk Arrow Two Seat. 2009-10-15. CGS Aviation. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20091006044353/http://www.cgsaviation.com/twoplacearrow.htm. 2009-10-06. dead.
    15. Web site: Hawk SLSA & ELSA. 19 June 2010. CGS Aviation. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20100803002226/http://www.cgsaviation.com/SLSA.htm. 3 August 2010. dead.
    16. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015–16, page 38. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.

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