Fike Model E Explained
The
Fike Model E was a light aircraft built in the
United States in the early 1970s.
[1] Designed by airline pilot William Fike, it was a conventional high-wing
cantilever monoplane with
tailskid undercarriage and seating for one or two people in an enclosed cabin. The wing was an unusual
geodesic wooden construction and was of far greater chord than typical for an aircraft of this type; indeed, one of the purposes of building the aircraft was to investigate the characteristics of a wing of such low aspect ratio (3.0). The
empennage was taken from a
Piper Cub, but was modified to reduce its span to make it suitable for towing on the road. Plans were made available for homebuilders in the mid 1970s.
References
- Book: Taylor. John W. R.. John W. R. Taylor . Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–77. 1976 . Jane's Yearbooks. London. 0-354-00538-3.
- Book: Taylor, Michael J. H. . Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation . 1989 . Studio Editions . London . 392 .
- Book: Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977-78 . Jane's Yearbooks . London . 539 .
Notes and References
- Air Trails. Summer 1971. 77.