Mitchell U-2 Superwing Explained

The Mitchell U-2 Superwing is an American tailless ultralight aircraft that was designed by Don Mitchell for amateur construction.[1]

Design and development

Although the aircraft was designed before the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules came into force, the U-2 Superwing complies with them anyway (including the category's maximum empty weight of 2540NaN0). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 2400NaN0. It features a cantilever mid-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration. The U-2 is a development of the high-wing B-10.

The aircraft fuselage is made from welded steel tube, while the wing is of wood and foam, with doped aircraft fabric covering. Its 341NaN1 span wing employs a modified Wortmann FX05-191 airfoil. The flight controls are unconventional; pitch and roll are controlled by elevons and yaw is controlled by the wing tip rudders. The main landing gear has suspension and the nose wheel is steerable and equipped with a brake.[2]

The U-2 can accept a variety of engines ranging from 25to mounted in pusher configuration.[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-259. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
  2. Web site: The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage. 1 September 2011. Lednicer. David. 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100420012244/http://www.ae.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html. 20 April 2010. dead.
  3. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 137. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X