The Hovey Delta Bird is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Bob Hovey in 1982 and supplied as plans for amateur construction.[1] [2]
The aircraft was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 2540NaN0. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 2180NaN0. It features a biplane wing configuration, a single-seat, open cockpit, conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.
The aircraft is made from pop-riveted and gusseted aluminum tubing, with the wings and tail surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. Its biplane wing has a top span of 241NaN1, a bottom span of 20.31NaN1, employs cabane struts and one set of interplane struts. The controls are conventional three-axis, with full-span ailerons on the top wing. The landing gear is bungee suspended and includes main wheel brakes and tailwheel steering. Common engines used include the 300NaN0 Cuyuna 430R in the Delta Bird and the 400NaN0 Kawasaki 440 in the Delta Hawk.