Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly Explained

The Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly is an Australian-American two-seats-in-tandem, high-wing, strut-braced, open cockpit, conventional landing gear-equipped ultralight aircraft. The aircraft has been in production since 1990 and was designed as a special-purpose tug for hang gliders and ultralight sailplanes. It is available as a complete aircraft or as a kit for amateur construction. The aircraft has been variously produced by Moyes Microlights, Bailey-Moyes Microlights and currently LiteFlite of Botany, New South Wales, all different iterations of the same company.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Design and development

The Dragonfly was developed in the late 1980s specifically as a hang glider tug for use in flatland areas where hang glider flying, which usually relies on hill launches, was not possible. This role requires an aircraft that can climb quickly at low speed. The Dragonfly achieves this goal, with a power-off stall speed of 170NaN0 by using a large area wing of 170square feet in conjunction with Junkers-style flaperons. The takeoff distance required to clear a 490NaN0 high obstacle is 4920NaN0 while flying solo and 9840NaN0 at maximum weight, on level short dry grass with no wind at 59 °F (15 °C).[10] The aircraft has been successful as a hang glider tug and is also used for livestock mustering in its home country, as well as for recreational flying where STOL capabilities are required.[1] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [11]

The aircraft is constructed of bolted 6061-T6 aluminium, with the two seats mounted on a fuselage boom tube that runs from the front rudder pedals to the tail. The landing gear consists of two main wheels on chrome molybdenum steel gear legs and axles, and a tail wheel configuration. The flexible steel axles work as shock absorbers during taxiing and landing. The tail wheel is steerable by means of the rudder pedals. The standard Rotax 582 engine is mounted in pusher configuration behind the wing's trailing edge. The engine's liquid-cooling allows fast descents while towing, without subjecting the engine cylinders to shock-cooling. The wing is supported by a V-strut and jury struts. The wing and tail surfaces are covered in pre-sewn Dacron envelopes. A unique feature is the extended rudder post, which is supported by steel cables from the wings and used as a tow attachment point. The aircraft is equipped with dual controls for pilot training and the rear seat is removable when not needed. The aircraft takes about 200 hours to assemble from the kit.[1] [3] [4] [11] [12]

The design is a Federal Aviation Administration approved special light-sport aircraft, produced by Pitman Air of Red Bluff, California.[13] [14]

Operational history

The Dragonfly has been exported to 12 countries, where it is primarily employed as a hang glider tug.[12]

Variants

Dragonfly
  • Original model powered by a 640NaN0 Rotax 582 two-stroke powerplant
    Dragonfly C
  • Improved model powered by a standard 640NaN0 Rotax 582 two-stroke engine, with the 800NaN0 Rotax 912UL four-stroke powerplant optional. The BMW 1100S engine can also be used. It can accept engines in a range from 50to.

    Aircraft on display

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-73. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
    2. Web site: Welcome to the website of LiteFlite - Home of the Dragonfly. 4 February 2011. LiteFlite Pty Ltd. 2006.
    3. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, pages 22-23. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
    4. Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 57. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    5. Downey, Julia: 2001 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 32. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
    6. Downey, Julia: 2002 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, page 25. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
    7. Newby-Gonzalez, Tori: 2004 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 12, December 2003, page 67. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    8. Downey, Julia: 2005 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 69. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    9. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 64. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
    10. LiteFlite Pty Ltd (May 2009) Flight and Operations Manual - Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly (Revision 3)
    11. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 67. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
    12. Web site: Dragonfly. 4 February 2011. LiteFlite Pty Ltd. 2006.
    13. Web site: SLSA Make/Model Directory. 2 March 2017. Federal Aviation Administration. 26 September 2016.
    14. Web site: Pitman Air, Light Sport and Ultralight Aircraft. Ed . Pitman. pitmanair.com. 6 March 2017.
    15. Web site: Airplanes you can see at the Museum. 4 March 2015. Massey Air Museum. 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20150310144415/http://masseyaero.org/airplanes.html. 2015-03-10. dead.

    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly".

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