Freebird II explained

The Freebird II is a family of American side-by-side two-seat, high wing, tricycle gear, pusher configuration single engined kit aircraft originally designed for construction by amateur builders by the Freebird Airplane Company of Marshville, North Carolina, and later Pro Sport Aviation of Wingate, North Carolina.[1] [2] [3] [4]

The Freebird II was produced until late 2014 by Free Bird Innovations of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, as the LiteSport Classic.[5] [6]

Development

The Freebird I was introduced at Sun 'n Fun 1996, and was intended to meet the requirements of the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category under the two-seat trainer exemption, although it is now offered in the US Light Sport Aircraft or amateur-built categories.

The Freebird II is constructed from bolted aluminum tubing, covered with doped aircraft fabric. The aircraft features conventional three-axis controls, including a trim system. The tricycle landing gear is steered by differential braking and a castering nosewheel. The company estimated that an average builder would take 120 hours to build the aircraft from the assembly kit.

The standard engine recommended is the two-stroke 500NaN0 Rotax 503 and with this engine the standard empty weight is 3850NaN0. The 640NaN0 Rotax 582 is also used.

The Freebird II's wings can be folded in five minutes by one person and the aircraft can then be trailered or stored. Options available included full cabin doors, flaperons, brakes, wheel pants and a custom-fitted trailer.

Variants

Freebird II
  • Initial version, two seats in side-by-side configuration, 281NaN1 wingspan, 500NaN0 Rotax 503, built by Freebird Airplane Company.
    Sportlite SS
  • Improved version, two seats in side-by-side configuration, 281NaN1 wingspan, 500NaN0 Rotax 503, built by Free Bird Innovations.
    Sportlite 2
  • Improved version, two seats in side-by-side configuration, 261NaN1 wingspan, 500NaN0 Rotax 503, built by Free Bird Innovations.
    LiteSport II
  • Improved version, two seats in tandem configuration, 261NaN1 wingspan, 500NaN0 Rotax 503, built by Free Bird Innovations. 352 examples had been completed and flown by 2011.[7]
    LiteSport Classic
  • Current production version, two seats in side-by-side configuration, 281NaN1 wingspan, 500NaN0 Rotax 503 or 640NaN0 Rotax 582, built by Free Bird Innovations. 102 examples had been completed and flown by 2011.[8]

    Notes and References

    1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-81 Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
    2. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 166. BAI Communications.
    3. Downey, Julia: Kit Aircraft Directory 2005, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 60. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    4. Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 53. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    5. Web site: LiteSport Classic. 2009-11-04. Free Bird Innovations. n.d..
    6. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 56. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
    7. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 55. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    8. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 56. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.

    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Freebird II".

    Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.