UFM Easy Riser explained

The UFM Easy Riser is an American swept wing biplane hang glider that was first powered in 1975, becoming the first modern ultralight aircraft. The Easy Riser was still in production as an unpowered glider in 2002 by Ultralight Flying Machines.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Design and development

The Easy Riser was developed by Larry Mauro from the earlier Kiceniuk Icarus II biplane hang glider. An engine was installed by John Moody in 1975 so the glider could be launched from flat terrain.^[5]

Early powered versions consisted simply of a motor added to the foot-launched hang glider version with control by a combination of weight shift for pitch and tip rudders for roll and yaw, with the tip rudders used together as air brakes. Because many pilots could not run fast enough to achieve take-off, wheeled tricycle gear was added. The aircraft exhibited poor pitch stability, so a horizontal stabilizer and elevator were added. Finally, on later versions, the tip rudders were replaced with a tail-mounted rudder.

The Easy Riser is constructed with an aluminium structure and stamped ribs, covered in doped aircraft fabric covering, Mylar or other coverings. The pilot sits on a fabric sling seat. Engines used include the 110NaN0 McCulloch MAC-101, 150NaN0 Hirth F-36 and Solo 210.

Easy Risers were produced in large numbers until the ultralight market downturn of the early 1980s when the type was taken out of production. Later, the unpowered glider version was put back into limited production.

In 1979, Larry Mauro installed solar cells and an electric motor on a stock Easy Riser and the resulting Mauro Solar Riser become the first solar powered aircraft to carry a person aloft.^{[6] [7]}

Aircraft on Display

• Canadian Air & Space Museum - Easy Riser used by Bill Lishman in projects to teach birds to migrate^[8]
• EAA AirVenture Museum - two Easy Risers and the Solar Riser.
• Iowa Aviation Museum - one 1975 Easy Rider ultralight^[9]
• US Southwest Soaring Museum - Easy Riser^[10]

External links

• • Photo of John Moody flying his Easy Rider

Notes and References

1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-14. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
2. Web site: UFM EASY RISER. 6 March 2011. Experimental Aircraft Association. 2011.
3. Web site: UFM-APP EASY RISER. 6 March 2011. Experimental Aircraft Association. 2011.
4. Web site: CURRENT EASYRISER INFO . 6 March 2011. Moody. John. 2002.
5. Rogers, Bennett: 1974 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 99. Soaring Society of America, August 1974. USPS 499-920
6. Web site: UFM/MAURO SOLAR RISER. 6 March 2011. Experimental Aircraft Association. 2011.
7. Web site: AIAA paper 84-1429. 6 March 2011. AIAA/SAE/ASME 20th Joint Propulsion Conference. 1984. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110707180738/http://www.astroflight.com/pdfs/SolarHistory.pdf. 7 July 2011.
8. Web site: Easy Riser Ultralight. 12 September 2011. Canadian Air & Space Museum. 2011.
9. Web site: Vintage Aircraft . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230606024933/https://flyingmuseum.com/vintage-aircraft/ . June 6, 2023 . Iowa Aviation Museum.
10. Web site: Sailplanes, Hang Gliders & Motor Gliders. 26 May 2011. . 2010.