Preceptor N3 Pup Explained

The Preceptor N3 Pup is a family of ultralight, tube-and-fabric, high-wing, homebuilt aircraft. Kits were produced and marketed by Preceptor Aircraft, of Rutherfordton, North Carolina.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] The company was operating on a limited basis, actively selling plans online,[7] but seems to have gone out of business in 2016.[8]

Designed to meet FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles standards, the N3 Pup can accept various lightweight four stroke engines of between 37and. If built to specifications with minimal additions, it can meet the requirements for a FAR 103 ultralight aircraft, with an empty weight of 2540NaN0.[3] [5] It may also be built as an amateur-built aircraft or US light-sport aircraft at higher weights.

Design and development

The Pup is designed to be flown cross-country and also can be mounted with floats and skis.[3]

The N3 Pup uses tube-and-fabric construction and a conventional 4-cycle engine. The fuselage and tail are welded from 4130 steel tube. There are two main wing configurations that can be built. An aluminum wing spar with hinges allows the wings to be folded for trailering or storage. A wooden wing spar configuration gives the plane a lighter weight, but leaves the wings fixed. The engine cowling is made from fiberglass.[3]

The aircraft has had many engine choices available, but was marketed to use the Half VW engine first developed by Global engines, later bought by Mosler engines and finally marketed by TEC engines.[9] The Total Engine Concepts MM CB-40 was the last purpose-built engine marketed for the Pup. The aircraft was sold as a partially prefabricated kit or can be built scratchbuilt from plans.[10]

The design was also adapted as an autogyro, the Little Wing Roto-Pup.[5]

Operational history

A N3 Pup named "Citabriette" -- modified to look like a Citabria -- won the Grand Champion Ultralight award at the EAA Oshkosh airshow 1988.[11]

Variants

N3 Pup
  • Single seat variant designed to resemble a 3/4 scale Piper J-3 Cub. Originally named the Nostalgair N-3 Pup. Engine is a TEC Half VW of 400NaN0. Meets FAR 103 requirements with an empty weight of 2540NaN0 and gross weight of 5350NaN0. 830 had been completed by December 2011.[1] [2] [5]
    Stinger
  • Single seat variant with a parasol wing in place of the enclosed cabin, longer nose and larger engine. First flown in 1995. Engine is a Volkswagen air-cooled engine of 500NaN0. Gross weight of 5500NaN0. Two had been completed by December 2011.[1] [2] [4] [5]
    Super Pup
  • Single seat variant with larger engine and higher empty weight, first flown in 1995. Engine is a Volkswagen air-cooled engine of 500NaN0. Empty weight of 3300NaN0 and gross weight of 6300NaN0. 55 had been completed and flown by December 2011.[1] [4] [5]
    Ultra Pup (N3-2)
  • Two seat 3/4 scale Piper J-3 Cub, first flown in 1988 with a 350NaN0 MM-CB engine. Production engine is a Volkswagen air-cooled engine of 600NaN0. Empty weight of 4500NaN0 and gross weight of 11000NaN0. Folding wings for storage or ground transport. 200 had been completed and flown by December 2011.[4] [5] [12] [13]

    Notes and References

    1. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 65-66. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    2. Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 65. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    3. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-42. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
    4. Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 62. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    5. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 224-225 and 326. BAI Communications.
    6. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 121. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
    7. Web site: N3 Pup. 20 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140619074327/http://www.preceptorair.com/products.html. 19 June 2014.
    8. Web site: Preceptor Aircraft . Internet Archive Wayback Machine . 13 May 2017.
    9. http://home.comcast.net/~aeroengine/Global.html Global Machine Tool (US)
    10. Sport Aviation . 98. none . October 1999.
    11. Sport Aviation . EAA Oshkosh '88 Awards. October 1988.
    12. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 115. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
    13. Air Progress. February 1989. 25. Mosler Two Place Pup.

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