Steen Skybolt Explained

The Steen Skybolt is an American homebuilt aerobatic biplane. Designed by teacher Lamar Steen as a high school engineering project, the prototype first flew in October 1970.[1] [2]

Design and development

The aircraft has a classic structure consisting of a welded tube fuselage and wooden wings, all fabric covered. It is a tandem open-cockpit two-seat biplane and is stressed for normal aerobatics. The cockpits are frequently constructed as a single tandem cabin with an enclosing bubble canopy. Some aerobatic competition aircraft are built as single seaters with the front cockpit closed off.The original Skybolt had a 1800NaN0 Lycoming HO-360-B1B engine, but powerplants of 150to can be installed.[3]

Operational history

The Skybolt has become popular as an amateur-built sporting biplane, with over 400 aircraft having been completed from construction plans sold in over 29 countries.[3] A Skybolt won the Reserve Grand Champion Custom Built for 1979 at the Experimental Aircraft Association airshow in Oshkosh Wisconsin.[4] Sixteen examples were registered in the United Kingdom in January 2009.[5]

Variants

Skybolt (S)
  • The standard Skybolt as originally released for home-building[6]
    Skybolt (D)
  • A revised structure and capability to have engines from 180to fitted.[6]
    Skybolt (R)
  • A radial engined derivative, with revised fuselage plus the improved structure of the (D), fitted with either a 3600NaN0 Vedeneyev M14P or a 4000NaN0 Vedeneyev M14PF nine-cylinder radial.[6]
    Skybolt 300
  • A derivative of the Skybolt fitted with a 3000NaN0 engine.[6]
    Super Skybolt
  • A two seater version created by John Shipler by amalgamating a Pitts S-2 with a Skybolt, the prototype of which is named Storm Warning.[6]
    Starfire Firebolt
  • A development of the Skybolt with a 3000NaN0 Lycoming IO-540 powerplant that gives a cruise speed of 2020NaN0 and an initial climb rate of 4,000 ft/min (20 m/s).[7] [8]

    References

    Notes and References

    1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 121. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
    2. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 128. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
    3. Simpson, 2001 p.521
    4. Sport Aviation, Oct 1979, page 71
    5. Pither, 2009, p.650
    6. Web site: Steen Aero Lab. Whaley. Mike. 25 August 2011. USA. steenaero.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20210413165557/http://www.steenaero.com/Skybolt/. 13 April 2021. live.
    7. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 257. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998.
    8. Sport Aerobatics. October 2007. This One is for George…Firebolt N4GW is a flying tribute to friendship.

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